You will find several household products that you can use to clean black mold. This is a short list of commonly used items that are safe to use.
Mold is actually a fungus that thrives in moist or damp conditions. It can be found in places in the house that remain damp, such as the bathroom, kitchen, or basement. Mold can damage the surface it grows on, discoloring or corroding it. It can also affect people with allergies and can cause a fatal lung infection if inhaled. The key to mold control is moisture control.
It is essential to dry water damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth. If mold is a problem in your home, clean up the mold and remove any excess water or moisture. Repair leaky pipes or other sources of water. Wash mildew off hard surfaces with detergent and water and dry thoroughly. Absorbent materials (such as ceiling tiles and carpeting) that become moldy may need to be replaced. These home remedies can help remove mold effectively.
1. Clean black mold with detergent and water
You can use a solution of detergent and water to clean mold from the surface of non-porous materials like glass and tile. The detergent does not remove mold, the solution is designed to remove visible mold from surfaces. When mold grows on a non-porous material, it is sufficient to thoroughly clean all mold from the surface. It is not necessary to kill the mold. To clean black mold from outdoor cushions, mix a gallon of water and 1/4 cup of dish soap in the bucket. You can stir the mixture with your hand and sponge.
The mixture should be slightly foamy. Rub the cushions with the sponge. You can rub as hard as you like until mold and mildew stains are removed. The detergent should kill mold and mildew while breaking down stains. Dowse any remaining stain with lemon juice. There may still be some pale stains on the cushions after you’re done cleaning them. These should be saturated with lemon juice. Let the cushions dry in the sun. The lemon juice will lift the rest of the stain from the cushion using sunlight as a catalyst.
2. Clean black mold with baking soda
Sprinkle baking soda on the moldy carpet to absorb mold and freshen the air. Leave it on the carpet for as little as 20 minutes or overnight. Use a vacuum with an empty bag for maximum efficiency to suck up the baking soda. Baking soda paste can also be used to clean tile floors. It is suggested that you mix enough water with the baking soda to create a smooth paste, then apply it to trouble spots on your tile, rub and rinse with a vinegar and water mixture to neutralize the baking soda and prevent residue.
3. Clean black mold with borax powder (this is possibly the easiest!)
Use a solution of 1 cup of borax powder in 1 cup of water to mop floors. Rub the black mold with the disinfectant solution in a small area. Wipe up liquid and mold scum and disinfectant solution with old rags, but do not rinse clean area. Leaving some borax behind will help prevent black mold from coming back. Repeat the steps until you’ve cleaned up all of the black mold. Leave your work area open to ventilation and exposed to the sun if possible. This will help speed up the drying process and remove spores from the air. That will also help reduce the chance of black mold coming back.
4. Clean black mold with vinegar
Clean mildew on hard surfaces with a solution of equal parts vinegar and water. Fill a plastic spray bottle with the solution. Spray kitchen and bathroom surfaces with the solution and scrub the area with a heavy-duty brush. The latest trend in mold and mildew control is shower and bath sprays that are used after you finish showering. These products work well, but work on the same principle as spray vinegar. Vinegar can replace almost any bathroom cleaner sold today, with the exception of heavy-duty abrasive cleaners like Comet.
5. Clean black mold with chlorine bleach
Use a solution of one part chlorine bleach to one part water to clean carpets and upholstery that have been affected by mold. Soak a sponge or cloth in the solution and wipe it over the mold to catch the spores on the cloth. NOTE… While leaching will clean black mold, it will not kill black mold on porous surfaces. You should still use a mold remover before or after cleaning black mold with bleach.
6. Clean black mold with hydrogen peroxide
Obtain a bottle of hydrogen peroxide with a concentration of 3% at local pharmacies. Transfer the hydrogen peroxide to a spray bottle and spray it on the surface of the infected mold. Leave it for at least 15 minutes for the hydrogen peroxide to work and kill the molds. After that, scrub the area to remove all mold and mildew stains.
For stubborn mold in hard-to-reach places, like tile grout, use undiluted hydrogen peroxide. Simply apply a capful amount to the affected area, let it sit for 15 minutes, and scrub with an old toothbrush. Note… Keep the spray bottle of remaining hydrogen peroxide in a dark place as light reduces the effectiveness of hydrogen peroxide. For more effective mold removal, you may consider using hydrogen peroxide with vinegar during the cleaning process.
Hydrogen peroxide is effective in killing mold as it has antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal elements. It is a much safer mold cleaner compared to bleach because it does not produce toxic residue or toxic fumes that harm the environment. Hydrogen peroxide is good for cleaning mold on almost all materials, such as clothing, walls, bathroom fixtures, and other kitchen appliances. For removable rugs, place them outside on a sunny day with the back of the rug exposed to the sun. Mix one part of 3% hydrogen peroxide with five parts of water. Spray the solution on the back of the rug and let the sun hit the rug for a day. The combination of direct sunlight and hydrogen peroxide will kill mold spores.
7. Clean black mold with ammonia
Make an ammonia solution using a ratio of 1 part ammonia to 1 part h2o. Fill a spray bottle with ammonia solution and spray it on moldy surfaces. Let the solution sit for several hours before rinsing with water. After rinsing or cleaning with water, allow areas to dry completely. For vinyl seats like on your boat, combine 1/4 cup of ammonia with 1 cup of water, and for this solution in a spray bottle. Spray the mold with this mixture and rub it with a bristle brush. Rinse the solution with clean water to remove it from vinyl seats. If you still notice mold on the seats, use rubbing alcohol.
NOTE… Ammonia, similar to bleach, kills mold that grows on non-porous materials such as bathtubs, tile, countertops, and glass. However, ammonia is not an effective killer of mold growth on porous materials such as drywall and wood. Ammonia is a harsh chemical, it gives off toxic fumes when mixed with bleach. Use ammonia with care.
8. Clean black mold with liquid laundry detergent
For two cups of cold water and 1 tbsp. liquid laundry soap in a bowl. Mix vigorously with a whisk to create a thick foam. Dip a rag into the container to remove suds. Rub the foam gently on the moldy carpet. Change to clean portions of the rag and apply more foam frequently. Rinse the mat with a rag and running water. Dry well with a dry cloth to remove excess moisture. Mix 1 gallon of warm water and 1/2 cup of borax powder in a bucket if mold remains. Dip a scrub brush in the borax solution and scrub the carpet until the mildew is gone. Rinse the rug with a rag and running water and dry thoroughly with a clean cloth.
9. Clean black mold with a household disinfectant spray
Once you’ve cleaned up all the mold, use a disinfectant spray to purify the area. In a plastic spray bottle, combine 1 cup of distilled (or spring) water, 1 cup of 91% isopropyl alcohol, and the juice of a couple of average lemons. The solution is safe enough to spray into the air and won’t damage surfaces it comes into contact with. Store the spray bottle in the refrigerator and use it within a few weeks. This will give your home the sterile smell of a doctor’s office, as well as a hint of ‘Lemon Promise’ that creates the illusion of ‘dusting all day’!
10. Clean Black Mold With Grapefruit Seed Extract
Most homes do not have grapefruit seed extract in the cupboard, but it is readily available. Combine 20 drops of grapefruit seed extract in about 1 cup of water for a useful solution for mold removal. Simply spray the solution on moldy surfaces while wiping with a soft cloth to remove mildew and the light, harmless residue will prevent it from coming back.
11. Clean Black Mold With Citric Acid
Your local Whole Foods or co-op should have crystallized citric acid on hand and it’s relatively inexpensive. Use approximately 1 cup of acid for 1.5 gallons of hot water. You can wring out the mop a bit and spread it out lightly, but the chances of it evaporating before mopping increase when you use less. Soak the floor (tile floors only) if you have a large room and need time to scrub. Letting the acid soak in a bit will also give it time to break down mineral deposits, dirt, rust, and of course black mold.
You will need to rinse several times with citric acid, it does not come off as easily as other products, but it is much safer for small children. Cleaning a tile floor with citric acid is not only environmentally friendly, it’s incredibly effective. You may already be familiar with orange hand cleaners, which also use citric acid for cleaning.
And there you have it, household solutions to use to clean black mold.