Cleaners That Kill Black Mold
- Black mold can be found inside and outside your home.barnacle fungus image by Michael Cornelius from Fotolia.com
Black mold can bring fear in those who have it growing in their home. Black mold can cause respiratory problems in those who come in contact with it and its spores. There are a variety of cleaners--both chemical and all-natural--that will kill black mold. Choose the cleaner that works best for you and your needs. - Vinegar is an all-natural deodorizer, cooking companion and cleaner that can kill black mold from a variety of surfaces. White vinegar is an inexpensive item that is found in many homes and can remove all traces of black mold and the musty odor that accompanies it. Gina Marino, Good Housekeeping's microbiologist, states that vinegar reduces mold and mildew by 90 percent. Vinegar can be used diluted with equal parts vinegar and water or--for tougher black mold--used at full strength. Once you apply the vinegar to the item, allow the vinegar to sit for 10 to 15 minutes. After the allotted time has passed, wipe the vinegar off the item with a damp cloth. Reapply the vinegar mixture and wipe the surface once again with a clean, damp cloth.
- Chlorine bleach is commonly used to boost your whites while in the washing machine. It can also disinfect items and kill black mold. To remove black mold with chlorine bleach, mix 1 cup of bleach with 1 gallon of water. Scrub the black mold with a cloth, sponge or scrub brush saturated with the mixture. After you have removed all traces of the black mold, rinse the area with a damp cloth. Chlorine bleach is a harsh chemical and should be used with care. The bleach can cause skin irritation so always wear rubber gloves when working with it. Furthermore, bleach should not be mixed with ammonia or products containing ammonia. The resulting fumes are toxic.
- Also known as TSP, trisodium phosphate is a heavy-duty cleaning chemical that can remove grease and kill black mold. Use 1 tsp. of TSP per each gallon of warm water. Scrub the area with a sponge saturated in the mixture. Once you have removed the black mold, rinse the area with a clean, damp cloth and allow the area to air dry. When using TSP, always work in a well-ventilated area and wear rubber gloves. TSP can also be added to the bleach and water mixture to help boost the black mold killer. Use 1 tsp. of TSP per gallon of bleach-water mixture and scrub with a sponge saturated in the liquid. Rinse the area and allow to air dry.
