How to Get Rid of Mold

Mold can release particles that can cause headaches, irritated eyes, coughing, and wheezing. Safely remove mold from your home by using these helpful tips.

Close
X
Playback

Up next in Home Repair & DIY (72 videos)

Attention, homeowners: Don't pay another repairman until you check out this video series on simple repairs you can make yourself.

 
 

You Will Need

  • White vinegar
  • Water
  • Bucket
  • Chlorine bleach
  • Spray bottle
  • Dehumidifier
  • Filtered mask
  • Stiff brush (optional)

Steps

  1. Step 1

    Machine wash clothes

    Machine wash moldy clothes in hot water, adding a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle.

  2. Step 2

    Replace drywall and insulation

    Remove and replace moldy drywall, insulation, carpeting, and ceiling tiles as soon as possible. Mold is impossible to remove from these items.

  3. Step 3

    Wear a filtered mask

    Wear a filtered mask anytime you are working in a moldy area so you do not inhale mold spores.

  4. Step 4

    Wash hard surfaces

    Scrub hard surfaces with a solution of two parts white vinegar and one part water. For tough areas, use straight vinegar.

  5. Step 5

    Mix equal parts bleach and water

    Clean mold from grout by mixing equal parts bleach and water in a spray bottle. Spray it on the grout, let it sit for 15 minutes, and then rinse.

  6. Use a stiff brush to scrub in between tiles.

  7. Step 6

    Use a dehumidifier

    Use a dehumidifier set between 30 and 60 percent in your basement to eliminate moisture, which breeds mold.

  8. Step 7

    Clean moldy shower mat

    Remove mold from your shower mat by soaking it in a solution of 1/8 cup chlorine bleach and 1 gallon of water for 3 to 4 hours.

  9. Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin from a mold called Penicillium notatum.

Comments