Mold spores can cause allergic reactions if breathed in or touched, which is why it’s imperative that you deal with it as soon as possible. It grows in areas with high levels of moisture, such as the bathroom or basement, and can be found on all kinds of surfaces, from carpet to paint to wallpaper. If you’ve noticed mold growing in your home, don’t worry. Here, we take you through exactly what you need to do to get rid of it, and how you can stop it from coming back. Check out these 9 things you didn’t know you could clean with a lemon. If you’re dealing with mold around your windows, here’s our guide on how to clean windows for a full once-over.
How to get rid of mold
The best way to get rid of mold will depend on what surface you’re cleaning. Dish soap or Bleach/White distilled vinegar/Mold and mildew cleaner Scubbing brush Microfiber cloth Towels Before you attempt any of the following methods though, you should first wear protective gloves, a mask and goggles. This is because the spores will travel through the air as you clean the mold.
How to remove mold from the shower
Bathroom tiles and grouting are one of the most common places you will find mold. That’s because this room is filled with moisture on a daily basis. If you want a more sustainable remedy, you can also use white distilled vinegar, although bear in mind this method will take more elbow grease.
How to remove mold from walls
Mold can often be found on walls nearer to the ceiling or windows where a leak may have formed. If this is the case, you should get the potential leak assessed and repaired first, otherwise removing the mold will be counterproductive. If you’re cleaning mold from drywall, you will need to use a more gentle application. Stick to dish soap and water and apply using a sponge of microfiber cloth. Don’t scrub too hard, but work in the solution as best you can. Then rinse and leave to dry. If this hasn’t done the trick, you can also used diluted bleach. Mix one cup of bleach with a gallon of water and apply to the mold. Let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing and drying. Remember, if you plan to paint over with a fresh color, you will need to wait for the wall to dry completely to prevent peeling. If you’ve spotted mold on any ceiling tiles, then you’re better off replacing these as the surface is too porous to clean.
How to remove mold from wood
If mold has made an appearance on your favorite piece of furniture, don’t throw it away just yet. First, using the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner, vacuum any loose spores from the surface. After this, you can potentially remove the mold with a simple combination of dish soap and water. Apply the solution using a microfiber cloth and a spray bottle, but try not to saturate the surface as you do. Dry as best you can with a towel and then leave to air dry. Diluted vinegar can also be an effective cleaner in this instance, although the wood may absorb the smell for a while. Apply using a microfiber cloth once again, then rinse with a damp cloth and leave to dry. Do not use bleach to remove mold from wood — it will struggle to penetrate the surface, so it won’t clean effectively.
How to remove mold from clothes
Yes, that’s right, mold can even make an ugly appearance on your clothes. It looks like small black or white spots and often crops up on wet laundry which has been forgotten about, such as damp towels. To remove mold from clothes, bleach is your best bet. If the item is machine-washable, wash the item on the highest temperature allowed with regular detergent. You can also add a cup of vinegar or bleach once the machine is filled with water for more cleaning power. Once the cycle is finished, leave the items to dry outside in the Sun. Alternatively, transfer to your dryer. If the item is not machine-washable, you can also hand wash or use the dry cleaners to remove mold. For extreme cases, you can leave the item to soak in hot water mixed with a cup of bleach for a couple of hours prior to machine-washing.
How to prevent mold
Repair any leaks to stop the mold from growing back.Keep areas which see a lot of moisture well-ventilated by opening doors and windows.Invest in one of the best dehumidifiers to help keep the moisture levels down.Clean out and repair any gutters.If you’re planning to apply a fresh coat of paint, add mold inhibitors to the paint to deter it in the future.
For more cleaning tips, tricks, and how-tos, check out our guides on how to clean a glass stove, how to clean painted walls and how to clean a washing machine.
title: “How To Get Rid Of Mold And Stop It From Coming Back” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-17” author: “Doris Merida”
Mold spores can cause allergic reactions if breathed in or touched, which is why it’s imperative that you deal with it as soon as possible. It grows in areas with high levels of moisture, such as the bathroom or basement, and can be found on all kinds of surfaces, from carpet to paint to wallpaper. If you’ve noticed mold growing in your home, don’t worry. Here, we take you through exactly what you need to do to get rid of it, and how you can stop it from coming back. Check out these 9 things you didn’t know you could clean with a lemon. If you’re dealing with mold around your windows, here’s our guide on how to clean windows for a full once-over.
How to get rid of mold
The best way to get rid of mold will depend on what surface you’re cleaning. Dish soap or Bleach/White distilled vinegar/Mold and mildew cleaner Scubbing brush Microfiber cloth Towels Before you attempt any of the following methods though, you should first wear protective gloves, a mask and goggles. This is because the spores will travel through the air as you clean the mold.
How to remove mold from the shower
Bathroom tiles and grouting are one of the most common places you will find mold. That’s because this room is filled with moisture on a daily basis. If you want a more sustainable remedy, you can also use white distilled vinegar, although bear in mind this method will take more elbow grease.
How to remove mold from walls
Mold can often be found on walls nearer to the ceiling or windows where a leak may have formed. If this is the case, you should get the potential leak assessed and repaired first, otherwise removing the mold will be counterproductive. If you’re cleaning mold from drywall, you will need to use a more gentle application. Stick to dish soap and water and apply using a sponge of microfiber cloth. Don’t scrub too hard, but work in the solution as best you can. Then rinse and leave to dry. If this hasn’t done the trick, you can also used diluted bleach. Mix one cup of bleach with a gallon of water and apply to the mold. Let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing and drying. Remember, if you plan to paint over with a fresh color, you will need to wait for the wall to dry completely to prevent peeling. If you’ve spotted mold on any ceiling tiles, then you’re better off replacing these as the surface is too porous to clean.
How to remove mold from wood
If mold has made an appearance on your favorite piece of furniture, don’t throw it away just yet. First, using the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner, vacuum any loose spores from the surface. After this, you can potentially remove the mold with a simple combination of dish soap and water. Apply the solution using a microfiber cloth and a spray bottle, but try not to saturate the surface as you do. Dry as best you can with a towel and then leave to air dry. Diluted vinegar can also be an effective cleaner in this instance, although the wood may absorb the smell for a while. Apply using a microfiber cloth once again, then rinse with a damp cloth and leave to dry. Do not use bleach to remove mold from wood — it will struggle to penetrate the surface, so it won’t clean effectively.
How to remove mold from clothes
Yes, that’s right, mold can even make an ugly appearance on your clothes. It looks like small black or white spots and often crops up on wet laundry which has been forgotten about, such as damp towels. To remove mold from clothes, bleach is your best bet. If the item is machine-washable, wash the item on the highest temperature allowed with regular detergent. You can also add a cup of vinegar or bleach once the machine is filled with water for more cleaning power. Once the cycle is finished, leave the items to dry outside in the Sun. Alternatively, transfer to your dryer. If the item is not machine-washable, you can also hand wash or use the dry cleaners to remove mold. For extreme cases, you can leave the item to soak in hot water mixed with a cup of bleach for a couple of hours prior to machine-washing.
How to prevent mold
Repair any leaks to stop the mold from growing back.Keep areas which see a lot of moisture well-ventilated by opening doors and windows.Invest in one of the best dehumidifiers to help keep the moisture levels down.Clean out and repair any gutters.If you’re planning to apply a fresh coat of paint, add mold inhibitors to the paint to deter it in the future.
For more cleaning tips, tricks, and how-tos, check out our guides on how to clean a glass stove, how to clean painted walls and how to clean a washing machine.
