Archive for February 2009

Do It Yourself Black Mold Removal

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I don’t like having to hire someone to do a job that can be done myself. I remember when I lived in a town years ago where everyone hired professionals for just about anything. They were hiring professionals for everything from clothing shopping to car washing to home issues like black mold removal. It was ridiculous to me! But, I guess when you have the money, why bother trying to do it yourself, right? Well, not me. I like saving money and with the economy getting worse every single day, I’m pretty sure I’m not alone.

Several years ago I also had a home issue with the greenish-black fungus known as Stachybotrys. It’s not only one of the most common molds found in homes; it’s also very toxic. As a matter of fact it’s dangerous enough that it can actually become life threatening in infants and young children. That’s pretty frightening, especially since my own children were exposed to this toxic substance. Luckily, the fungus attacked me instead of my babies and soon after I got rid of the stuff.

The first thing I had to do was locate the exact area where the fungi had grown. This for me was easy enough because the fungus had been growing in that area for a while. But, not everyone will be as lucky, so it’s important that you check in moisture-ridden areas or where leaks and flooding have occurred.

The next step was to make sure that the area was free from moisture. I did this by purchasing a dehumidifier to dry out the area. If you’re in an area that can be sealed off, it’s a good idea to do just that since the spores from the fungi can become airborne and travel to other areas. You can seal off the room using plastic sheeting and tape.

Once you’ve prepped the contaminated area, you should spray a light mist of water onto the affected area. The reason for doing this is because spores stand less of a chance of becoming airborne when they are wet verses when they’re dry.

You should then clean the area with a very mild soap to remove the visible layer of the toxic fungus. If you’re working with an area that can be damaged from applied pressure, be sure to use a light touch to minimize the risk.

Your final step is to apply product that is made to kill the spores that causes molding. While many people believe that bleach is an easy alternative to use, you should be aware that it isn’t always the best solution since it can’t penetrate where most of the spores hide.

Once you’ve eliminated the problem, you need to discard any items such as sponges, cloths and plastic sheets that were used for the black mold removal. Don’t put them in a trashcan inside of the home. Instead, secure them in a bag and throw them into a trashcan outside of your home. Now go ahead and smile, you just became another do it yourself member and you saved a lot of money in the process!

Mold Removal Home Remedies

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When you consider how dangerous black mold (stachybotrys chartarum) really is, it often surprises me that so many people will do quite a bit of research just to find out what sort of home removal remedies there are for black mold removal. Of course I also understand the need, since commercial products can be extremely expensive for those of us who are on a strict budget. Yet is it really worth the risk?

Almost everyone has probably experienced stachybotrys chartarum at least once in his or her lifetime. Just stop and think about it. Have you ever had what seemed like an allergy that just wouldn’t go away no matter what you did? Or maybe you had a cough that you could have sworn was a chronic illness that you misdiagnosed because you refused to see a doctor and find the real cause of the problem. If so, you’re not alone, but there lies the problem.

You see we often believe that what we think is something we can remedy ourselves, can actually end up being one of the biggest mistakes made. Now it certainly doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t put our trust in Mother Nature, but when it comes to serious issues like deadly molds that can potentially kill us, it’s probably not such a good idea.

Of course that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few treatments lurking around that some swear actually works. However, these so-called at-home applications are not always what they seem.

For instance, bleach is one of the most common household items that is said to eliminate molds like stachybotrys chartarum. But most bleach is diluted enough that it can’t penetrate deep down below the surface where the real problem lies. If however the fungus hasn’t come into contact with a porous surface such as a kitchen or bathroom countertop, then using bleach may actually eliminate the problem.

Some may suggest using a simple mixture of soap and water, but just like the bleach, it can’t penetrate down into the surface and it’s not strong enough to be used as a disinfectant.

Another so-called solution is rubbing alcohol. This is mostly a remedy used for leather items that can’t withstand any harsh chemical treatments. While rubbing alcohol has been used to clean and sterilize the human body, it’s not certain whether it can permanently remove fungus from leather surfaces.

And finally, sunlight has been said to be a natural remedy for black mold removal. However, it’s certainly not an option for many household surfaces or goods. So as you can see, not all black mold removal home remedies are the safest bet when it comes to your health! Please remember to use caution and use your best judgment when it comes to your safety and health.

Black Mold Removal Products

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At one time in my life I was very sick. At first I thought it was a severe cold that just wouldn’t go away. It took me several years to actually discover the truth.

There was a very common fungus in my home and yet it was one of the most dangerous molds known to man. Black mold however is not only dangerous; it can also be very deadly if it’s left untreated. The good news is there are many products that are designed specifically for the removal of such molds.

Unfortunately there is also a lot of confusion as to what product on the market is the best. Everyone wants to claim that their product is the best, but that’s not always the case. For most however, choosing the right product really is a matter of preference.

Many people may suggest using bleach as a way of removing the toxic fungi. But, what they don’t know is that bleach only kills on the surface layer. Anything that is below the surface is left untouched. That is why it’s very important to use a product that is meant to penetrate the surface. If you don’t, the problem will return.

Natural Mold Removal Products

The best suggestion I can make is to use a mold removal product that is not only safe for the environment, but also safe around your family and pets. The reason for this is really quite obvious.  If you’ve been affected by the toxic fungus already, it just makes sense to avoid any harsh chemicals that can cause even more damage to your body. Therefore in my opinion, a natural or organic black mold removal product is a much better solution.

If you do decide to use a natural mold removal product, don’t let the prices fool you. Remember many brands are expensive because of their name only. Do your research and compare the ingredients. Many of the lesser-known brands are just as effective, but with less of a price tag.

You should also look for a product that does double duty. While most will remove the dangerous fungus below the surface, others will also add a protective barrier to keep the problem from coming back. And if you’re planning to paint over an area where an area was affected, you may want to consider using a mold inhibitor when you’re painting to barricade any future molding issues.

And finally, always read the labels when choosing black mold removal products. Some may require you to treat the area more than once while others may not.  But the final results will always be worth the time and the effort. After all, it’s for your safety and health.

How to Remove Black Mold

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How toxic is your home? One of the things I didn’t realize when I noticed a spotting black substance on my bedroom ceiling was that I was killing myself.

Those spots were a mold known as strachybotrys chartarum. At the time, I had no idea just how dangerous it really was! Then, I couldn’t stop coughing and had difficulty breathing, so I thought about those deadly spots and did some research. Boy was I shocked at the information I found. I knew I needed to learn black mold removal and fast!

One of the first things that I learned was that those little black spots were a result from an extreme amount of moisture in the air. So I found the source of the moisture problem and discovered that it was coming from the shower in our bathroom. The room was very small and had absolutely no ventilation system whatsoever.

Once I found the source of the problem, I made sure that the bathroom was ventilated. Because of the small space and lack of resources, the best that I could do that the time was open the windows when the shower was in use and place a dehumidifier in the bedroom.

My next step was to identify the areas where the deadly fungus had grown. Originally I had thought that the problem was only in the bedroom, but as it turned out there was also a patch of it growing above the bathroom medicine cabinet.

Before I could clean up the affected area I realized I needed to handle the situation with caution. First, I needed the proper attire to protect myself, which meant wearing rubber gloves, protective eyewear and a respiratory mask. These items were necessary because the spores from the fungus when stirred up become airborne.  I had already breathed in enough of the toxic fungus, I certainly didn’t need to make matters worse!

Since the area was dry, I discovered that the first step to cleaning the moldy surface was by lightly misting it with a little water. This would help keep many of the spores from becoming airborne. Once that was done, I used a small amount of dishwashing soap to wipe off the visible layer of the fungus.

Now I’ll be honest. My final step in eliminating the dangerous substance was by taking a cloth and dampening it with a mixture of bleach and water to disinfect the area. During that time I didn’t know that while bleach can temporarily resolve the problem, it couldn’t kill the root of the spores that are hidden beneath the surface layers. But soon after, I found myself moving on, so there wasn’t a reason for me to correct my mistake.

Since then I have learned that many people assume bleaching is a permanent solution for removing molds. And while it may be a solution for non-toxic molds, it certainly isn’t the case for strachybotrys chartarum.

There are however, many commercial products that are available on the market that are meant to permanently remove black mold in almost the same manner as the bleach mixture. And while they might not be as inexpensive as bleach is, they’re definitely worth the cost when it comes to your health! Don’t make the same mistake I did.

And remember to seal up and discard any materials you may have used to clean the affected area. Be wise and be safe. After all, it’s your health we’re talking about!

Will Bleach Remove Black Mold Permanently?

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If you have ever had an experience with black mold (stachybotrys chartarum), then you know how dangerous it can be. This deadly toxin can wreak havoc on your lungs and do some serious damage. And while there are many products that can safely eliminate the dangerous fungus, bleach is the most common because it’s cheap and easy to find. But, many are concerned as to whether or not it will remove the fungus permanently. And because of the danger that this particular fungus can cause it’s a question that is worth exploring.

When a fungus like stachybotrys chartarum enters your home it can be a nerve-racking experience. Sometimes the problem isn’t even noticeable until it’s too late. By then, the danger has already affected us in some way and we’ll do almost anything to stop it.

Unfortunately, what many people don’t know is that just bleaching the affected area won’t eliminate the problem forever. It’s only a temporary solution that’s been mistaken as a permanent one. While bleaching does remove the spores of fungi’s like stachybotrys chartarum, it can’t go deep down to the root of the problem where the spores hide. So while it may look like the fungus has been removed, it’s still there.

That’s because bleaching doesn’t kill the spores or prevent a barrier to keep dangerous molds like stachybotrys chartarum from coming back. Those pores must be suffocated in order for the problem to be eliminated for good.

One way that can be accomplished is by using a product that will of course kill the spores. Some are convinced that the only way to do this is by using a light source such as the sun to get rid of the source. However, this really isn’t a practical method for many of us and there are other commercial products that have had some recent success with killing molds.

On a final note, another problem with using bleach is that it can be just as dangerous to your lungs if proper ventilation isn’t used. So you really will be better off just using a commercial product that is meant to remove black mold permanently.