How do I safely kill mold?

12/03/24 4:23pm

I think I found some mold in my bathroom recently and am a little worried. I know mold isn't good and stuff like black mold can be pretty dangerous, but I'm really not sure how to tell the difference. Either way, I want it gone sooner than later. Is there anything I can do by myself to clean it up and prevent it from coming back? I'd really love to save some money doing this DIY, but how do I know when it's time to contact a professional?

Mike Kapur
Certified Mold Assessor & Home Inspector, Sonic Home Inspections

12/04/24 10:57am

You can use vinegar, diluted bleach, ammonia, or pretty much any household cleaners that have some kind of moldicide in them. If you have mold in carpet, then steam-cleaning it would be the best way because it will kill mold and also extract it. For mold on wood, you can either sand the wood, paint over it with fiber lock paint that seals the mold off so it dies, or just throw the wood out and replace it.

There’s no specific or special way to kill black mold, but you can get rid of it the same exact way you kill any other type of mold.

WikiAxolotlDancer711

12/05/24 1:28pm

I agree that household white vinegar is the way to go! Make sure to give it time to soak if you want to maximize the effectiveness of the vinegar treatment. Clean things as thoroughly as you can. While you're cleaning, make sure to use personal protective equipment like a mask and gloves to keep yourself safe. You don't want to inhale black mold.

WikiChinchillaJammer673

12/07/24 8:50pm

Black mold can be dangerous...you should probably call a professional just to be safe. If your mold isn't that bad, a professional will be able to tell you during a consultation, but if it is bad, then you'll be glad you tagged in someone who knows how to handle it properly!