The Official Black Mold Removal Guide

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!