Discovering mold in your home is never something to take lightly. Regardless of the climate, mold spores are everywhere and readily find their way into our homes! During your household cleaning, you're sure to find at least one area of your home colonized by mold, which it's important to know how to eliminate quickly.
Since some types of household mold can be dangerous, it's always a good idea to know how to distinguish them from harmless molds and be prepared to get rid of them immediately. Let's see how!
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Learn to recognize white and black molds
While there are species capable of seriously compromising the safety of your home's foundations and generating respiratory problems, the most common molds found in homes in the Montreal area, usually black or brown in color, resembling soil and particularly fond of warm and humid corners such as bathrooms and attics, are not harmful.
You will easily recognize an infestation by that characteristic musty smell, which is found in the dampest corners of the house.
To clean mold, choose the right products
Make your own household cleaning product You will see that some products are much more effective than others, which should only be used sparingly:
. Chlorine bleaching: Sodium hypochlorite, more commonly known as bleach, is particularly effective in treating mold and the discoloration caused by its growth. Simply be sure to dilute your solution before application.
. Hydrogen peroxide: Much less harsh than bleach, a concentration of 3 to 10% of hydrogen peroxide is sufficient to remove any mold from walls and windows.
. Distilled white vinegar: Being acidic, vinegar helps to slowly break down the mold structure. You will need an additional cleaner to remove stubborn stains.
. Baking soda or sodium tetraborate (borax): Both substances have a high pH that inhibits mold growth. Neither toxic nor expensive, they simply require adding water to remove any remaining stains.
How to clean mold inside the house?
The presence of mold on your home's structure is never a good sign. Your first instinct should be to assess the extent of the damage. If necessary, it's recommended to call in a professional who can evaluate the severity of the infestation and propose an appropriate treatment plan.
If your carpet develops a distinct musty odor, it is recommended that you remove it immediately to avoid spreading the spores to other surfaces in your home. Then clean the affected area and allow it to dry completely.
Generally, to clean infested surfaces, mix one part detergent with 10 parts bleach and 20 parts water. Apply the solution with a sponge and allow the treated surface to dry completely without rinsing.
How to get rid of mold outside the house?
Mold on the exterior walls of your house can be easily cleaned with bleach. Wear safety glasses and a mask; add 250 ml of sodium hypochlorite to 3 liters of water and, after carefully covering the surrounding plants and flowers with a plastic sheet, coat the affected areas. Allow everything to dry completely after treatment.
How to clean mold from the bathroom?
Of all the rooms in the house, the bathroom is the most prone to mold growth, as mold thrives in the most humid environments. Often choosing the grout between tiles as its preferred habitat, you can remove it by adding one part bleach to 16 parts water and applying this mixture to the affected area. Leave it for 15 minutes to work before scrubbing it all away.
How to remove mold from fabric?
It's usually not difficult to remove. First, you need to move the contaminated fabric item outside to prevent the spores from spreading to other parts of the house. Using a brush, scrub as much of the affected fabric area as possible.
If you prefer to machine wash the fabric, be sure to select a high-temperature cycle and add a disinfectant. If any stains remain after washing, soak the fabric in a solution of water and hydrogen peroxide.
How to remove mold from leather?
As with any fabric item, the first step is to take it outside. Here, you'll need a cloth soaked in white vinegar, which you'll wipe over the affected area. To rinse off the vinegar residue, dip your cloth in a soapy water solution. Finally, dry everything with a dry cloth: you should have gotten rid of the mold.
Hire a professional cleaning service in Montreal for your mold problems.
Whether it's dangerous fungi or a simple colony of benign mold, you now know how to get rid of them and leave them no chance! The sooner the better.
However, sometimes the extent of the infestation can overwhelm you, requiring immediate action: call a professional cleaning service! At Le Chiffon Vert, you'll find a team of housekeepers who, by appointment, will come directly to your home to treat your mold problem with a full range of equipment. eco-friendly household products For greater respect for the environment and your health! Available from L'Assomption to Kirkland, don't hesitate to contact us !