Cleaning Surface Mold

Cleaning mold on painted drywall:

If you find mold on a painted or primed surface and are able to get to it early enough, it will be easy to clean. This is because the mold should be only on the surface and shouldn't have penetrated into the drywall itself. Wipe or scrub the mold away using a household cleaning product and water. Be careful to not scrub so hard as to remove the paint and/or texture on the drywall. If the mold is too extensive, a different level of protocol may be needed and we suggest you seek advice from a professional.

Cleaning mold on window casings:

• Dampen the moldy window casings with water from a spray bottle. This keeps the mold spores from flying up into the air and spreading as you remove them.
• Mix a few drops of dish detergent with some warm water. Use this mixture to clean mold off the surface of the window casings with paper towels. Put the discarded paper towels in a plastic bag. Seal the bag tightly when you finish and dispose of it in the trash. If the mold doesn’t wipe off the window casings, use a plastic scraper to loosen and remove it.
• Rinse the window casings well with clean water. Dry the window casings thoroughly. If there isn’t a breeze through the window to dry the casings quickly, set up a window fan to help speed the drying process. As an alternative, use a hair dryer to dry the window casings completely.

Cleaning mold on hard surfaces:

Use household cleaners on hard, non-porous surfaces such as ceramic tile, Formica, vinyl flooring, metal, or plastic. Clean the area with soap (or detergent) and a small amount of water, let the surface dry, and then within 24 hours apply a non-staining cleaner such as Lysol Disinfectant, Pine-Sol Disinfectant, Tilex Mildew Remover or Clorox Cleanup. (Utilize mold killing products whenever possible, provided they do not damage the premises.) Once the mold has been removed, mold inhibiting solutions such as vinegar can be used to regularly clean the bathroom to help prevent the mold's return.

IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO KILL MOLD TO REMOVE MOLD. THE MOLD CLEAN-UP IS FINISHED WHEN THERE IS NO VISIBLE MOLD REMAINING ON THE SURFACE. DEAD MOLD CAN STILL CAUSE ALLERGIC REACTIONS SO BEST TO REMOVE RATHER THAN KILL IT.

Cleaning mold on caulking and grout:

If mold is growing in the caulking and you cannot get rid of it, then the sealer may need to be removed and replaced. Walls which you cannot seem to remove the mold from may also need to be cut out and replaced as a last resort.

Mold often grows on tiles or the grout around them. You should be able to easily remove mold from tiles by scrubbing or wiping with a cloth. Mold growing in grout can be difficult though. Bleach can often be useful for killing mold in grout and fading away mold stains. When using bleach, use caution and keep area well ventilated. The grout may require a good scrubbing with a toothbrush or scrubbing brush.

Products like Kaboom work well to remove mold on hard surfaces. Apply cleaner with a sponge, cloth or scrubbing brush to clean mold off the surface and an old toothbrush to get into hard to reach places where mold has begun to grow.

Choose a cleaning agent:

Cleaning agents range from mild to potent and include both natural and chemical alternatives. If you have small children or pets in your home, you may want to consider a milder, natural solution over a powerful chemical one. If you have a more advanced mold problem, a stronger chemical may be necessary.

Mild cleaning agents:

• Combine one-part baking soda with 5 parts water. Baking soda is the mildest, safest cleanser available that is commonly used against mold.
• Use straight vinegar or vinegar mixed in equal parts water. Vinegar is a little stronger than baking soda, but it is still natural and safe to use around children and pets.

Potent cleaning agents:

• Lysol Disinfectant
• Pine-Sol Disinfectant
• Tilex Mildew Remover
• Clorox Cleanup
• Kaboom