Try as you will, your home will never be mold-free, due to the constant influx of airborne spores from the outdoors. Regular cleaning with proven, chlorine-based products can keep normal surfaces at safe levels. But sometimes an ignored or overlooked part of the home can become the site of extensive mold contamination and/or damage. How should you approach it? The Minnesota Department of Health offers these useful suggestions:
Quickly Begin Drying All Wet Materials
For severe moisture problems, use fans and dehumidifiers and move wet items away from walls and off floors.
Remove, Bag, and Throw Out Mold-Contaminated Materials
Porous materials that absorb moisture and facilitate mold growth include sheet rock, insulation, plaster, carpet/carpet pad, ceiling tiles, wood products (other than solid wood), and paper products. Nonporous materials with surface mold may be saved if they are cleaned with a chlorine-based product and kept dry.
Clean Surfaces
Clean visible mold on nonporous surfaces (such as hard plastic, concrete, glass, metal, and solid wood) with a proven, bleach-based product like Tilex® Mold & Mildew Remover. Cleaning must remove and capture the mold contamination. Remember, dead spores and mold particles still cause health problems if they are left in place. Soap and detergents can remove mold stains but do not actually kill mold, and these mold spores that are left behind can quickly re-grow and spread throughout the home. That's why it's important to use bleach-based products proven to both kill and remove mold.
Protect Yourself
The amount of mold particles in air can increase greatly when mold is disturbed. Consider using protective equipment such as rubber gloves or eye goggles when handling or working around mold-contaminated materials. You may also want to pick up a medium-efficiency or high-efficiency filter dust mask (N-95 or better) from a local hardware store or other home supplier. And wear long sleeves and long pants that can be easily removed in the work area and laundered.
Take Steps to Protect Others
Work in such a way that you minimize the amount of dust generated, since dust is an effective carrier of mold. Bag all moldy materials in plastic before you transport them. Separate the work area by hanging plastic sheets. Damp clean the entire work area to pick up contaminants that have settled in dust. It is recommended that you use a rag moistened with Tilex® Mold and Mildew Remover to clean small contaminated areas (less than 1 square yard) to prevent spread of mold spores into the air.
Remain on Mold Alert
Continue looking for signs of moisture or return of mold growth in areas just cleaned. If mold does return, repeat cleaning and disinfecting with Tilex® Mold and Mildew Remover as previously stated. Re-growth may signal that the material should be removed or that moisture is not yet controlled.
|
 |
|
