How to Get Rid of Mold (2024)

Jump to Specific Section

  • Limit Your Exposure to Mold
  • Chemical or Natural Mold Cleaners
  • Mold Removal
  • How to Get Rid of Mold on a Wall
  • How to Get Rid of Mold Outside the House
  • Clean Up After Mold Removal
  • How to Prevent Mold

1

Limit Your Exposure to Mold

How to Get Rid of Mold (1)

Mold is a type of fungus that grows in areas that have a lot of moisture and warmth. You can see it most often in rooms like baths, kitchens and basem*nts. Mold often has a musty odor and looks like green, black or white dots. Since mold thrives in humid spaces, it is very important not to breathe in mold spores or get them in your eyes while cleaning.

To limit your exposure to mold:

  • Wear a mask or an N-95 respirator to avoid inhaling mold.
  • Wear rubber gloves. If possible, get gloves that extend to the middle of your forearm.
  • Wear goggles that don’t have ventilation holes.
How to Get Rid of Mold (2)

Mold removal cleaning products are a good option. You can also make your own cleaning solutions with common household cleaners or natural products.

  • Use undiluted white vinegar on hard surfaces in kitchens and baths. Apply it directly to the mold.
  • Make a bleach solution to kill mold. Mix one cup of bleach in a gallon of water. Apply it to the surface but don’t rinse it off.
  • Mix a 50/50 solution of ammonia and water. Spray on the surface. Wait two to three hours and rinse. Repeat if necessary.

Safety Tip: Never mix ammonia with bleach or other all-purpose cleaners. This will create toxic and dangerous fumes.

3

Mold Removal

How to Get Rid of Mold (3)

Once you’re properly protected, here’s some basic rules on how to get rid of mold:

  • For hard surfaces such as windowsills and tile, scrub mold off with detergent and water.
  • For more porous surfaces, like drywall, don’t use a brush. Use a cloth so you don’t damage the surface.
  • To remove mold from wood, you may need to sand the wood before cleaning it with detergent. Wear protective equipment and isolate the work area while you're sanding. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to clean up any sawdust.
  • Always dry any area you clean thoroughly.
  • To speed up the job, try a mold cleaner specially formulated with fungicide.

Tip: For very porous surfaces such as ceiling tiles, removing the mold completely may not be possible. Replace the affected material instead.

4

How to Get Rid of Mold on a Wall

How to Get Rid of Mold (4)

For mold removal on a wall, evaluate the wall surface to figure out how to get rid of mold. If mold covers a large section of a wall or the wall is already damaged, consider replacing it. If the mold is relatively minimal and the wall is in good shape:

  • Use a dry brush to scrub off the surface layer of mold. This will make the area easier to treat.
  • Take a sponge or cloth and dip it into a commercial or homemade cleaning solution (See Step 2). Wring the sponge out. You don’t want it soaking wet.
  • Gently scrub the affected area until the mold is removed.
  • Rinse the wall thoroughly with another cloth or sponge and clean water.
  • Allow the wall to dry completely. Use a fan or dehumidifier if available.

5

How to Get Rid of Mold Outside the House

How to Get Rid of Mold (5)

Mold can show up on your soffits, siding, deck and other outside surfaces. This external mold can do significant damage to these surfaces so exterior mold removal is essential for a well-maintained home. If not eliminated quickly, external mold can also work its way into your house.

Here’s how to get rid of mold outside the house:

  • Liberally spray a 1-to-10 solution of bleach and water on the affected surface.
  • Let sit for 10 to 20 minutes.
  • Scrub any tough stains with a stiff bristle brush dipped in the bleach solution.
  • Rinse with a garden hose.

Tip: Don’t forget to use rubber gloves and eye protection before you clean mold outside.

6

Clean Up After Mold Removal

How to Get Rid of Mold (6)

After a mold removal project, it’s important to keep any mold spores from spreading. Carefully clean tools and properly discard of contaminated materials.

  • Seal any used rags, disposable gloves or other moldy materials in a garbage bag.
  • Clean safety equipment or other tools with hot water and soap or rubbing alcohol.
  • Soak brushes in a bleach solution for an hour. Rinse.
  • Dry everything completely before storing.
  • Always wash the clothes you worked in right away. Use hot water and don't wash any other items with them.

7

How to Prevent Mold

How to Get Rid of Mold (7)

When it comes to mold, prevention makes all the difference. Mold grows best in warm, humid spaces. Start by locating any areas with moisture issues in and around your home. Repair any leaks and install exhaust fans in the bath, kitchen, basem*nt or laundry room. Below are more prevention tips:

Inside:

  • Run a dehumidifier to reduce the overall moisture level in your home.
  • Run the bathroom fan or open the window when you take a shower to prevent mold from growing.
  • In the kitchen, use exhaust fans or open the window when you do the dishes.

Outside:

  • Keep your gutters and downspouts clean.
  • Make sure rainwater drains away from your home’s foundation properly.
  • Replace any wood or stucco pieces on your home, deck or patio that can’t be completely cleaned of mold.

Mold can grow almost anywhere inside or outside your house. It shows up behind walls, under carpets, on gutters and siding. Cleaning and preventing mold are essential to having a healthier home. Use natural or commercial products to clean and remove mold as soon as you find it. Get the safety equipment and cleaners you need. Use The Home Depot Mobile App to locate products and check inventory. We'll take you to the exact aisle and bay.

How to Get Rid of Mold (2024)

FAQs

How to Get Rid of Mold? ›

Use an old, dry microfiber cloth to gently wipe away any loose mold or debris from the surface. (Remove the cloth from the room afterward.) Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the vinegar and water mixture directly onto the moldy surface, allowing it to sit for at least 10 to 15 minutes.

What kills mold permanently? ›

If cleaning with detergent doesn't work, it's possible to remove mould using diluted vinegar and a microfibre cloth. If mould cannot be removed using the vinegar method, cleaning with diluted bleach or a commercial product may be required.

What kills 100% of mold? ›

What is the best natural mold killer? Unfortunately, there are not any chemical solutions that are both “all natural” and strong enough to kill mold completely. The best natural mold killer is vinegar, but vinegar does not penetrate drywall or wood very deeply, and so often leaves behind some mold deep in the material.

Can I remove mold myself? ›

The safest way to clean mold in your home is to use natural cleaning solutions like baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, or lemon juice. These are more effective than using bleach because they can kill the roots even on porous materials, unlike bleach.

How do I permanently get rid of mold in my house? ›

The only effective way to permanently get rid of mould problems is by reducing the build-up of moisture in your home. This can only be achieved through better ventilation.

Can mold on walls make you sick? ›

Exposure to mold in the home can cause symptoms such as sneezing, a runny nose, eye itchiness or irritation, breathing problems, and more. It is important to contact a doctor for advice if a person has concerns about mold sickness.

What removes mold instantly? ›

MMR STAIN REMOVER

MMR mold stain remover is the most effective mold remover on the market designed to easily remove mold stains from various building materials.

What kills mold to the root? ›

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) approves it, so we may use it everywhere and anywhere even if the mold area is dense. To kill the mold at its roots: The penetration power of vinegar can help in killing the mold completely and prevent its recurrence.

What draws out mold? ›

Mix a solution that's equal parts white vinegar and cold water in a spray bottle. Spray or apply the vinegar and water mixture directly to the moldy areas. Using a scrub brush with a long handle, scrub the moldy areas vigorously in a circular motion. Continue scrubbing until you remove the mold stains.

What degrees kills mold? ›

Most yeasts and molds are heat-sensitive and destroyed by heat treatments at temperatures of 140-160°F (60-71°C). Some molds make heat-resistant spores, however, and can survive heat treatments in pickled vegetable products.

What are the 10 warning signs of mold toxicity? ›

10 most common Symptoms of Toxic Mold Exposure
  • brain fog or memory loss.
  • dizziness or vertigo.
  • ear infections.
  • headaches and migraines.
  • itchy, red, or watery eyes.
  • joint numbness, pain, or tingling.
  • persistent cough.
  • runny nose and sinus problems.
Sep 28, 2022

Is it OK to scrape off mold? ›

So when you see something hairy in your cream cheese or suspicious spots on your bread, it's tempting to scrape the mold away and chow down. But in most cases—including the two just mentioned—munching moldy food is a bad idea, says Kristin Kirkpatrick, a registered dietitian and wellness manager at Cleveland Clinic.

Is it OK to just cut off mold? ›

"If I was cutting mold off anything, I'd cut an inch off the product," she said. She said firm fruit and veggies are fine, but don't put your knife in the mold in case of cross-contamination. You can also cut off the mold when it comes to hard cheese and hard salami, she said.

Can a house with mold be saved? ›

It is impossible to get rid of all mold and mold spores indoors; some mold spores will be found floating through the air and in house dust. The mold spores will not grow if moisture is not present. Indoor mold growth can and should be prevented or controlled by controlling moisture indoors.

Can you paint over mold? ›

Unfortunately, you can't just paint over damp or mould in the hope it will disappear. Even if you use waterproof paint, it can still seep through over time. Depending on how bad the problem is, you may be able to remove the mould by cleaning the area without repainting.

How to remove black mold permanently? ›

Four Ways to Kill Black Mould
  1. Add a ¼ teaspoon baking soda to 2 cups of water.
  2. Pour the solution into a spray bottle.
  3. Spray the mouldy area and scrub it with a brush.
  4. Rinse the area.
  5. Treat the area again with the baking soda solution to prevent mould from returning quickly.
Feb 5, 2023

What chemical kills mold instantly? ›

Hydrogen peroxide kills mold effectively on materials such as clothing, floors, bathroom fixtures, walls and items such as kitchen appliances. Pour 3% concentration hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle. Spray the moldy surface completely to saturate the area with hydrogen peroxide.

Is bleach or vinegar better for mold? ›

While it is possible to use bleach to kill mold, experts agree that vinegar is a much better option. Unlike bleach, vinegar can effectively kill the mold at the root, making it less likely to return. Vinegar is also less toxic than bleach, making it a better choice for household use.

How to stop mold from coming back? ›

The key to mould prevention is keeping air moisture to a minimum. Dry any condensation that may be gathering on your walls, ceiling to windowsills. Dehumidifiers can also help to remove moisture from the air. Try to keep your bathroom and kitchen door shut tightly and ensure your windows are open whilst cooking.

Can black mold be removed permanently? ›

Remember, while solutions such as bleach or baking soda will help wipe away surface-level mold, the key to eliminating black mold for good is to root it out at the source. Once you have tackled the root cause of black mold in your home, we recommend using a dehumidifier in problem areas to reduce high humidity levels.

References

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