How To Get Rid Of Black Mold In House | Expert’s Solution

Black mold, called Stachybotrys Chartarum in Latin, is a type of microfungus that can grow in various sections of your house. It can be your kitchen, bathrooms, basement, around your shower or toilet, or on a corner of your house walls. It usually has a black-greenish color and looks like clustered fungus growth.

Along with ruining the look of your interior, black mold is one of the most toxic molds that can harm the environment inside and hamper human health.

It’s important to keep a check and remove black molds whenever they appear in your house to keep you and your families safe from their harmful exposure. In this article, we’re going to share what causes black mold, what are the symptoms and effects, and how to get rid of it.

What Causes Black Mold to Grow in the House

There are many conditions in which black mold can gradually grow in your house. But moisture is the most common reason for it. Some of the key situations for black mold to appear in your house are:

• Mold spores
• Moisture
• Humidity
• Food source
• Darkness
• Warmth
• Water leaks

Symptoms and Effects of Black Mold

Black mold infestation can be really dangerous and have serious health effects due to its toxic nature. Poisoning and pollution can bring you a number of health issues, so it’s essential that you know about the symptoms and effects of black mold.

Black mold releases spores and naturally feeds on organic materials around your household. Mold spores tend to be airborne and therefore, have the ability to attach themselves to people’s skin, clothing, carpets, furniture, walls, and others.

Ingestion and inhalation of these spores produced by black mold can cause uncomfortable symptoms and eventually, damage your health condition.

The most common signs are associated with respiratory responses. Some of the symptoms are:

• Watery, red eyes
• Runny nose
• Skin rash
• Sore throat
• Sinusitis
• Dry cough
• Wheezing

These symptoms may lead to serious illness if you don’t treat them immediately and get rid of black mold in your house. Especially for people who live in contaminated buildings, mycotoxins released by the toxic fungus black mold can bring several diseases. For example:

• Headaches
• Pain in the body
• Nosebleeds
• Chronic coughing
• Chronic fatigue
• Allergic reactions
• Eye irritation
• Fever
• Vomiting
• Mood changes
• And even memory loss

Most of these are long-term effects but if you happen to be exposed to any of them, consult a doctor immediately. Afterward, come back and follow on to our next section of the writing.

How to Get Rid of Black Mold in Your House

Now that you know about what causes black mold, its symptoms, and its health effects, you must be looking for ways to get rid of black mold in the house. We suggest using several recommended cleaning agents to remove and kill black mold in your installation.

Just be careful because cleaning them will open the door to exposing them as well. If you’re not confident, we advise consulting a professional cleaning service.

1. How to Remove Black Mold with Ammonia

Clear Ammonia is a strong solution for killing black mold, especially on hard surfaces. Since ammonia is a toxic cleaning product and disinfectant, it should be used with proper care.

You can remove black mold from tiles, glass, bathroom basins, kitchen counters, and other non-porous surfaces using the ammonia-generated cleaning agent.

To do the job, you need a few things first.

• Ammonia
• Water
• Hand gloves
• Respirator
• Spray bottle
• Scrub brush
• Dry towels or cloths

Once you have gathered everything you need, mix half ammonia and half water to create the cleaning solution. Always remember to wear gloves when you are handling ammonia because of its toxic nature. Once you have created the mixture, pour it into a spray bottle.

Carefully spray the solution over the moldy area; try to cover the whole and spray evenly. Wear a respirator when you are cleaning toxic molds. After that, leave the cleaner to work for about 1 hour. This will give the ammonia to penetrate deeper into the mold and kill its foundation to prevent growing back.

After the cleaner is soaked enough and done with its work, take a stiff scrub brush. Scrape the mold area to clean the surface and remove the fungus even further. Then rinse with clean water and wipe clean the surface with a dry towel or a piece of cloth.

Use cloths to dry the area completely to remove any leftover moisture and stop the mold from growing back again. Repeat the process if mold remains.

2. How to Remove Black Mold with Vinegar

White vinegar is an affordable, easy to go, and effective solution to get rid of black mold in your house. As a comparatively safe anti-bacterial agent, it is easy to use. And in the case of regular, porous materials affected by molds such as carpets, a vinegar-based cleaning solution is very useful.

You will need similar tools as we did with ammonia. But in the case of vinegar, you can directly pour it into a spray bottle and apply, no need to mix it with water. But if you do, take half of the white vinegar and half of the water to produce a mixture.

Take your cleaning agent, spray it over the moldy area, and leave the vinegar to work for about half-hour. Afterward, scrub the area with a brush to clean off mold and fungus effectively.

Rinse and dry the area using towels or cloths and make sure it is totally dry. As we have already stated, dampness and moisture can inspire black mold to grow again.

3. How to Kill Black Mold with Bleach

Bleach is one of the strongest disinfectants that can effectively kill black mold on hard surfaces. We say hard surfaces because, with soft or porous ones, bleach will kill the mold and possibly damage the material. So you can use bleach on tiles, glass, kitchen sinks, and other similar surfaces.

Gather the necessary tools:

• Rubber gloves
• Respiratory mask
• Bleach
• Water
• A bowl
• Scrub brush
• Towel
• Vacuum cleaner

Bleach produces toxic fumes so whenever you’re handling bleach, wear a respirator, make sure the area is well ventilated, and keep your windows open. Wear rubber gloves and mix a cup of bleach with a gallon of water (3.8L) in a bowl. We don’t recommend using a spray bottle in this case because the mixture can be a bit thick and it’ll be difficult to apply.

Take the cleaning agent and scrub it over the black mold area. You can either use a scrub brush, a sponge, or a towel to rub the bleach and kill the toxic fungus. Cover the whole area and make sure you put a thin layer of the mixture over the surface. When you’re done applying it, leave the bleach to work for an hour.

In the case of bleach, it’s not essential to clean off the work after it has dried and killed the black mold. You can wipe it away or gently use a vacuum cleaner to give it a fresh look, but never rinse the bleached area. It allows the bleach to continue its work and prevents further growth of the mold.

Recommended post: How to remove mold from bathroom tiles

4. How to Get Rid of Black Mold with Baking Soda

Baking soda is probably one of the safest ways to get rid of black mold in your house. It’s easy to get, easy to apply, and you can use it on all kinds of surfaces, both porous and nonporous. As an alternative to ammonia and bleach, baking soda not only removes molds but also eliminates the odor these fungi produce.

For starters, mix half of the baking soda with half of the water and stir until they form a paste-like mixture. After you have created your baking soda cleaning solution, take a small brush, and apply it to the moldy area. Cover the corners and rub them evenly to create a thin layer of paste. Leave it and let it dry to work on the black mold.

Once it has dried and killed all the funguses, scrub the area with a stiff brush to clean off any leftover molds and strains. Afterward, take 2 tablespoons of baking soda and two cups of water to create another mixture. This one should be more like a liquid cleaning agent; pour it into a spray bottle and shake it thoroughly.

Spray the cleaner over the surface you have just cleaned and let it dry. This will create a protective layer to prevent the mold from growing back again and it will also eliminate the mildew odor completely. Repeat the process necessary.

5. How to Kill Black Mold using Hydrogen Peroxide

Killing black mold with hydrogen peroxide is a useful alternative to chlorine bleach. In contrast with bleach and ammonia, hydrogen peroxide can be used on any kind of surface affected by black mold.

So it’s usable against nonporous surfaces, and porous surfaces such as walls, woods, clothing, rugs, and others as well. It’s an effective non-toxic, anti-bacterial agent that is also inexpensive.

Collect a bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide from your local drugstore. Mix that 1 part 3% hydrogen peroxide with 2 parts of water in a spray bottle to create an effective mold cleaner solution. Be careful when using hydrogen peroxide; wear gloves and spray the mixture all over the black mold surface.

Let the solution sit for around 15 minutes. After that, gently scrub the area with a small brush to scrape away excess cleaner and fungus. Use a towel or a piece of cloth to wipe clean the area and let it dry. Repeat this simple process if further molds remain, it shouldn’t take much try.

6. How to Remove Black Mold Using Borax

Borax is another popular household cleaning solution that is affordable and easily found in local stores or supermarkets. Borax cleans and disinfects, making it a considerable choice to kill off the black mold. Although it is toxic and has to be handled carefully to make sure you don’t get ingested.

Borax can be used on non-porous surfaces such as tiles and glass, and also on some porous surfaces like woods.

You will need:

• Borax
• Water
• Bowl
• Brush/Toothbrush
• Towel or cloths
• Vacuum cleaner

To start, combine a cup of borax with a gallon of water to create an effective cleaning agent. Take the mixture into a bowl and scrub it over the mold area. You can either use a brush or a towel to rub the borax over the black mold. Once you are done, scrub the surface with a small brush or a toothbrush to remove the fungus.

You should be free from black mold by now. Wipe the area clean with a towel or use a vacuum to clean the surface you’ve worked on. Don’t rinse the area, because the borax solution will prevent the mold spores from growing again. Repeat the process if you can’t get rid of the black mold completely.

Related post: What causes mold in bathroom ceiling

How to Get Rid of Black Mold with Natural Solutions

We have shared a number of ways and several cleaning solutions that will efficiently help you to get rid of black mold in your house. Alternatively, here are some additional solutions that are natural and can be made easily at home. These are similarly effective to other cleaning agents to kill off black mold.

The Tea Tree Oil Solution

Not only the tea tree oil is an antiseptic, sanitizer, insect repellent, and natural deodorant, but it also has the power to remove black mold and prevent it from emerging again.

While tea tree oil is not as cheap as bleach or ammonia, a small amount of it can do a lot of work while being environment-friendly as well.

Things you need to remove the black mold using tea tree oil:

• Tea tree oil
• Water
• Spray bottle
• Gloves
• Dry towel or cloths

Mix a teaspoon of tea tree oil and a cup of water, then increase the amount as necessary in proportion to this ratio. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and shake it hard to mix them properly to create a natural cleaning solution.

Remember to wear gloves as tea tree oil is a toxic substance. Apply the cleaner over the moldy area by spraying it even.

Once you have covered the surface, leave it for an hour to dry and work on the fungus. Afterward, take a dry towel or a cloth and wipe clean the area. You will have your place clean and molds free.

To prevent the further growth of black mold in that place or any other, apply the tea tree oil to your desired areas and let it dry.

Grapefruit Seed Extract

The grapefruit seed extract is used in various healthcare needs as well as cleaning and deodorizing. It is non-toxic, environment-friendly, and a great substance to eliminate black mold in your house. The process is fairly similar to the tea tree oil use, it’s easy and has long-term effects.

Combine 10 drops of grapefruit seed extract oil with a cup of water to create a mixture. Based on the ratio, you can increase the amount you need. Put the cleaner on a spray bottle and apply it over the black mold area.

After you have covered the surface, leave the grapefruit seed extract oil for 10 minutes or more, depending on the mold situation you have.

Wipe clean the material with a towel or a cloth. You can repeat the process if mold or stain still remains, but DO NOT rinse the surface. It will allow the oil to work further into the fungus roots and prevent mold spores to grow again.

You can read this: HG Mould spray review

How to Prevent Black Mold from Growing in Your House

So far, we have covered the possible techniques and methods to get rid of black mold; but how about preventing it from growing in the first place? Yes, you don’t have to deal with mold and fungus in your house often if you take certain precautions. It basically involves keeping your house clean, so follow us through.

• Fix any water leaks to prevent moisture

Water leaks are one of the key reasons to produce moisture in an environment and any kind of mold, including black mold, needs 24-48 hours of moisture. So if you know about the water leaks your house has, fix them immediately.

Furthermore, check for leaks in possible areas to prevent fungus growth. It can be your basement, kitchen, bathrooms, refrigerator, or any other place with a source of water.

• Prevent condensation to stop molds

Condensation is another reason for growing black mold in residences. Condensation happens in cold spaces, where existing water vapor in the air gradually becomes liquid. It can be around windows, metal pipes, water tanks, concrete walls, and other places that encounter excessive cold.

You can prevent condensation by installing heat-recovery ventilation units or insulations to keep the temperature at an average level. Keep the rooms warmer to give less chance for condensation.

• Reduce humidity

Higher humidity is one of the frequent reasons for toxic fungus growth in a house. The humidity only needs to be higher than 55% for the molds to start growing on various surfaces. So how to reduce humidity? Allow ventilation in your house as much as you can. Open the windows at least once a day, if not more.

It’s essential in the case of the kitchen and bathrooms because humidity grows higher in these places. You can also use exhaust fans to help lessen the humidity effectively.

• Do not leave wet cloths

As we have already discussed, moisture is the ideal reason for the black mold to grow. Leaving wet clothes inside the house highly increases the chance of moisturization, so immediately dry your clothes after washing them.

Don’t leave them around and try to dry them outside the house. Because drying clothes inside will also create chances for moisture in the interior environment. If you have to dry them indoors, make sure the place is well ventilated so that the air is being exhausted constantly.

• Clean your garbage

Black mold and fungus feed on organic sources to grow and spread, sources like wood, cotton, and food. So if you already don’t have the practice, start now and clean your garbage regularly to reduce the chance of mold growth in your house.

Vacuum your residence often and try to keep the dust level as minimum as possible, because mold can also grow on old dust.

• Let the sunlight in

Mold, or black mold, loves dark indoors and wishes to grow there. So to sum up, open your windows and polish your ventilation systems to keep a healthy environment. The natural light of the sun can greatly reduce the chance of black mold growth inside your house.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can you remove black mold yourself?

You can easily remove black mold by yourself with some household products. You can use bleach, water, and a scrubber to eliminate the black mold. Also, you can use white vinegar to get rid of the gross black molds.

What kills mold instantly?

Hydrogen peroxide is an effective mold killer. You can use it on clothing, floors, bathroom, shower head, walls, and kitchen appliances. It doesn’t only kill the black mold, but it also prevents future growth of the mold.

Do you have to throw everything away if you have black mold?

If you cannot treat the mold, you should throw the affected stuff away. That includes the dishes that have cracks with mold buildup. Also, you cannot wear clothes that have mold growth. Using mold-affected stuff can be very health hazardous.

Is it OK to sleep in a room with mold?

Mold exposure can cause different health hazards. So it is prohibited to sleep in a room with mold. You can get allergies and respiratory issues due to mold exposure.

You may be interested: How to get mold out of carpet

Final Words

Black mold can create a potentially harmful and unhealthy environment in your house. While you may keep your house clean, funguses tend to find a way to appear and ruin your clean lifestyle. To prevent that from happening and lead a healthy life, follow our detailed guidelines to get rid of black mold in the house.

As we have mentioned already, dealing with toxic black mold can be challenging and it needs to be done carefully. So if you have further queries about any of these suggestions, our recommendation is to consult a professional. Always be concerned with your well-being more than anything. We wish you good health.

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