Can You Kill Black Mold by Yourself?

You’re going about your day as usual when suddenly you see it: black mold. Not only does mold look gross and unpleasant, but its presence in your home can be a health risk to you and your family.

Your first instinct might be to grab a bucket and some bleach, but before you head for the cleaning cabinet, wait a minute. There’s more you need to know before you can kill black mold by yourself.

What Is Black Mold?

The first thing to know about toxic black mold is that it isn’t always black. Stachybotrys chartarum can look orange, dark green, brown, or gray. It’s slimy when wet, and fuzzy when dry. To determine whether the mold you’re dealing with is dangerous, you’ll need to consult a professional.

Mold can grow in your home due to several factors, but the biggest one is moisture. Humidity levels higher than 60% can be a breeding ground for fungus. Because of this, the most common places to find black mold are in bathrooms with poor ventilation, moist crawl spaces, under sinks, in basements, or on water-damaged drywall.

Mold spores spread throughout your home in the air, which makes them particularly dangerous to individuals with asthma. Once the spores find a suitable environment with organic material to feed on, they will take root and grow.

What Kills Black Mold?

We know why you’re here—you want to get rid of the mold you found as quickly and thoroughly as possible. Unfortunately, you can’t kill black mold by yourself. Attempting to do so could put your health at risk!

Several online resources claim chlorine bleach can effectively kill mold, but the truth is that usually, it’s not powerful enough. For small-scale mold removal, you may have more success with white vinegar than with bleach.

It’s important to note that there is no liquid cleaning agent that can effectively clean porous surfaces or fabric. While whatever item you’re scrubbing may look clean, microscopic roots were left untouched by the cleaning agent and will grow back.

If you do attempt to remove a small amount of mold, make sure to use proper protective equipment including goggles, rubber gloves, and an N-95 mask. Proper ventilation is also necessary for mold removal. But even with all these precautions, it can still be very dangerous to remove mold on your own, so contacting a professional is best.

What Steps Can I Take to Kill Mold?

While it's best to call in the experts to kill black mold, there are still steps you can take as a homeowner to protect yourself and your family.

• Properly ventilate bathrooms

• Repair any leaky pipes or appliances

• Reduce moisture levels with a dehumidifier (a humidity level of 30%-45% will help prevent mold from growing)

• Fix any water damage as soon as possible

How Do Professionals Kill Black Mold?

Mold can grow on many surfaces, including wood, drywall, concrete, and shower tiles. The first step we take to remove mold is to assess the entire situation. My Pure Environment offers a free standard mold inspection, which includes an onsite expert consultation, a visual inspection, and recommendations for the next steps.

If you need mold remediation, our method is non-invasive— we won't be tearing up your home. We use a professional-grade sterilant that is distributed in a fog of micro-fine droplets, killing mold spores on contact with no demolition.

Professional Mold Remediation Services

My Pure Environment is committed to helping you maintain a clean, safe home. Located in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, our knowledgeable and professional team is here to provide you with top-notch mold remediation services. Call 509-213-1915 or email us to schedule a free consultation.

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