A Guide on How To Get Rid of Black Mold Safely and Quickly

Finding black mold in your home sucks. Apart from looking aesthetically appalling, black mold can harm your health. While it’s most common in bathrooms, walls, and basements, it can appear even in your carpet or wooden elements in your home.

Knowing how to get rid of the black mold is a skill set you may need on rare occasions, but it’s important to have. So keep reading to learn how to cut the black mold infestation at its root.

What Is Black Mold?

Black mold is a kind of fungus. It can be found practically anywhere, even air. In general, healthy individuals with a functioning immune system run no risk of health problems from exposure to normal levels of mold in the environment.

Many molds are black; there isn’t one specific “black mold.” The phrase describes a species known as Stachybotrys chartarum (S. chartarum), also referred to as Stachybotrys atra.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you don’t have to know exactly what kind of mold is developing in your house to have a successful black mold removal.

Can black mold cause health problems?

Black mold is thought to release mycotoxins, which cause serious health issues. According to some research, mycotoxins from S. chartarum may be linked to major health issues among people exposed to large mold infestations for a long time.

Mycotoxicosis (mold poisoning) usually manifests in body pains, mood changes, headaches, memory loss, and nosebleeds. However, this isn’t the only way mold exposure affects our health.

The risk of fungus infection may also be higher in people with compromised immune systems. According to the CDC, there are extremely few unusual or rare health issues caused by indoor mold.

Rather than breathing in fungus spores indoors or outside, a person can get mold poisoning by eating spoiled, mold-infested food.

What kills black mold?

The fastest way to kill the black mold is by treating the infestation with chlorine bleach or hydrogen peroxide. First, ensure you stay safe and protected, as both substances are damaging to human skin, eyes, etc.

Mold will be removed from surfaces, and discoloration will be eliminated if you use ordinary household chlorine bleach (sodium hypochlorite). However, remember bleach is fairly aggressive and may damage the textiles and hard surfaces you’re treating.

You can also use bleach to effectively remove stains out of clothes.

Compared to chlorine bleach, hydrogen peroxide is gentler and emits fewer fumes, but it also works more slowly. If the hydrogen peroxide solution in the container isn’t fresh, it won’t work. Despite being gentler than chlorine bleach, hydrogen peroxide can also stain fabrics.

Hydrogen peroxide is also a great solution if you’re trying to remove bloodstains out of your sheets.

How To Get Rid Of Black Mold Step by Step

If you notice mold in your home, the best thing to do is react as soon as possible. If you’ve never dealt with mold before, read our step-by-step guide carefully before proceeding.

Note: If you estimate that the area covered by mold is large or you suffer from respiratory problems, it’s best to call the professionals and not risk your safety.

1. Locate the infested area(s)

First thing first: find the mold. Black mold can be distinguished from other types of mold by its slimy feel, dark-greenish/black color, and development that starts as spots or patches and then spreads.

Black mold develops in corners, behind sinks or cabinets, baseboards, in the basement, and other places with a lot of humidity and moisture. Use a flashlight to examine corners and shadowy areas. Furthermore, listen to your nose and follow the musty smell of black mold.

2. Choose the black mold treatment product

Black mold infestations aren’t rare, so you’ll find many products on the market. Based on your needs, they’re adapted for different areas of the home and different materials.

However, most of these products are filled with harsh chemicals we may want to keep out of our homes. The market offers many natural mold control solutions, but they may not be as effective with large infestations.

3. Wear protective gear

Put on rubber gloves, airtight safety goggles, disposable coveralls, and a face mask or respirator. Safety equipment reduces the possibility of developing respiratory infections, allergic responses, and rashes after black mold removal.

Don’t take this step lightly — if mold spores get into your eye, they can cause blindness. Hanging plastic sheeting to divide the afflicted room from the rest of the house is also a good idea to avoid contaminating other parts of your home.

4. Apply the product

Spray the affected area with the solution thoroughly (if it’s a mixture, continue shaking the bottle throughout the procedure to ensure it stays well-mixed.) For the antibacterial capabilities to have time to penetrate the filth, let the product sit on the mold for five to ten minutes.

Avoid scraping (!) dried mold at all costs. The spores will become airborne, dispersing toxins into your environment.

5. Clean the area carefully

To remove the moist mold, scrape the surface with a nylon bristle brush. To avoid spilling mold on the surrounding areas — even dead mold spores can cause an allergic reaction — move the brush with caution and force.

Use old rags or paper towels to clean the area. To avoid mold droplets flowing beneath the trim or onto the floor if you’re dealing with the toxic black mold on the ceiling, it can be a good idea to clean the area as you go.

6. Rinse thoroughly

To effectively remove all traces of mold, procedures 4 and 5 might need to be repeated. Even after you clean, there may be some gray spots left. A little vinegar and baking soda work wonders on such spots.

Scrub the stain with a brush after mixing a solution of one part baking soda with two parts vinegar. Additionally, some specialized paints and primers can complete the task of covering the spots.

Since the tea tree oil and grapefruit seed extracts are mold-fighting substances that help prevent mold from returning, do not rinse the area with water. For as long as feasible, you want those oils to be present.

7. Throw out everything that was in contact with mold

Keep in mind that mold is a natural phenomenon. Put the paper towels and anything you used in a plastic bag, and then seal it up carefully before throwing the bag in the garbage. As an extra precaution, wash filthy rags and the nylon scrubber in hot water before throwing them out.

Getting Rid of Black Mold In Home Naturally

Many of us don’t feel comfortable with chemical cleaners, especially if children and pets are involved. Even if not, it’s unwise to use chemicals on objects in our everyday use.

Black mold can develop on cutting boards, in dishwashers and washing machines, or in AC units. In case this happens, it’s better to consider one of the following natural remedies:

Grapefruit seed extract

It’s a good idea to keep grapefruit seed extract on hand for various medical treatments, cleaning agents, and brews. What makes it effective at fending off black mold?

Its primary ingredients are polyphenols and naringenin, which destroy bacteria, sanitize, and sterilize the areas. The acids in the extract also stop mold spores from re-emerging.

Add ten drops of grapefruit seed extract per cup of water to kill black mold. Using a spray bottle to dampen the affected region is the best option.

Depending on how terrible the condition is, let the solution soak for as little as 10 minutes or as long as an hour before wiping away any leftover residue.

Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil can be used to naturally get rid of black mold. As an organic fungicide, it’s also a powerful cleaning agent that can stop the regrowth of those unsightly mold spores.

Mix 1 teaspoon of tea tree oil with 1 cup of water, and then gradually raise the ratio. For maximum coverage, shake it up and pour it into a spray bottle. You can also use a wet towel if you don’t have a spray bottle.

After applying the oil to the moldy area, allow it to dry for an hour before wiping it away with a dry towel or microfiber cloth. Wear protective gloves before you begin this procedure since, despite being natural, tea tree oil can nevertheless irritate your skin.

Vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice

The famous trio of home remedies works on everything, from removing nail polish off clothes to mold. It’s safe to use around children and pets, and works well to stop mold growth, eliminating mildew odors.

To make a black mold removal paste, combine baking soda and water in a 50/50 ratio. The greatest application for this mixture is to get rid of milder forms of mold stains and inhibit further growth.

After applying it to the troubled site, use a little brush to remove any mold-stained areas.

Black mold removal is a cheap, all-natural process using white distilled vinegar. You can either pour the undiluted vinegar directly into the mold stains or put it in a spray bottle. Then, wipe the mold from the area with a disposable towel.

Wrapping Up

We’ve reached the end of today’s insight into the unsightly world of mold. We know it sucks to tackle it, but we hope our tips on how to get rid of black mold in your home will make the experience easier.

So, gear up, clean the spot, and let us know how it went!

FAQs

Can you remove black mold by yourself?

You can remove black mold by yourself relatively easily. However, leave it to professionals if the mold covers a large area.

How dangerous is black mold?

Exposure to black mold can be dangerous for immunocompromised people and those who suffer respiratory problems. While it doesn’t typically cause issues for healthy adults, it can affect kids and the elderly.

What kills mold instantly?

Chlorine bleach will kill mold almost instantly. However, you need to be very careful when using it because it’s harsh on human skin and can cause damage.

What kills black mold naturally?

Solutions of vinegar, baking soda, tea tree oil, and grapefruit seed extract all kill mold. Even though they may not be as effective, they are much safer.