How to Clean Old Mold
- 1). Determine the urgency of the situation. If the old mold exists on something small like a book or some fabrics left in a damp basement, you have a manageable problem. If you find a mold colony that has existed for an unknown amount of time inside a wall board or water heater closet, you should consider calling a mold removal specialist for best results.
- 2). Place moldy objects outdoors. To avoid spreading the mold throughout your home, place moldy objects inside of thick trash bags, seal the bags and take the objects outdoors using the most direct route possible. Remove objects from the bags and leave them in the sun to dry. This will neutralize the spores.
- 3). Contain the area. While working with mold, certain spores will spread to new locations. By containing the area, you can prevent new mold colonies from forming. Tape plastic sheeting, which is sold in home improvement stores, around the doors and vents inside the room where the mold exists, and if possible, turn on an air purifier to attack and disinfect stray dust particles. You should always wear protective breathing gear, clothing and gloves when working with mold.
- 4). Remove any barriers. When dealing with mold in a room, you can easily access the moldy area. If you have old mold, on the other hand, it more likely exists in a concealed or less obvious area, such as a closet or behind a wall board, where it can hide. As a result, you may need to physically remove the affected dry wall -- the mold will have damaged it beyond repair anyway -- and place it outdoors inside thick plastic bags, or remove any barriers that you would prevent you from accessing all of the mold.
- 5). Dry the mold. To do this, place a portable dehumidifier as close to the mold as you possibly can and turn it on. You can also use a portable heater to evaporate the liquid. For moldy objects outdoors, just let sunlight kill the mold.
- 6). Disinfect the mold. Powerful antifungal agents include bleach, white vinegar, rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide. You can apply most of these solutions full-strength, or dilute them with water for light applications. Bleach is the exception to the rule. You should always dilute 1 part household bleach with at least 3 to 4 parts water. Apply your solution to the entire mold colony using a spray bottle and then rinse with water, misted gently from a spray bottle, after 15 to 20 minutes.
- 7). Dry the area or surface again and vacuum the neutralized mold spores, preferably with a HEPA vacuum. If cleaning out a room or enclosure like a wall space or closet, vacuum the rest of the area as well, since mold spores have likely traveled, even if you have an air purifier running. Take the vacuum cleaner outdoors, using the most direct path possible, and clean the filter with a household disinfectant.