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How can I get rid of mold problems in my
home?
 After you have addressed any water and humidity problems with
your home, you then can work on removing mold. If you need to
clean an area of mold in your home, keep the following
precautions in mind. To clean areas larger than 10 square feet, consult an industrial hygenist.
- When handling or cleaning moldy materials and cleaning
solutions, wear protective gloves, eye goggles, a N-95 respirator, and dress in
long sleeves and pants that can be easily removed in the work area
and laundered.
- Minimize exposure to mold spores by using a respirator
designed for particle removal for protection against inhaling mold
spores. Respirators can be purchased from hardware
stores. Be advised that such respirators will not protect
you from fumes.
- Make sure the room is properly ventilated while you are
cleaning.
- Start by trying to remove a small amount of mold to determine
if you will have a health reaction to either the mold or the
cleaning products. If you have a reaction, or if your home
has so much mold that you cannot manage the cleanup on your own,
contact a professional experienced in cleaning mold in
homes. You also may need to hire a professional if mold is
growing in an area of your home that is difficult to access, such
as in ductwork, or if there is more than 10 square feet of area affected by mold.
- Make sure you prevent the spores and mold-contaminated dust
from going into other parts of your home by hanging plastic
sheeting to separate the area. Use polyethylene sheeting ceiling to floor around affected area with a slit entry and covering flap, and maintain the area under negative pressure with HEPA filtered fan unit. Also, block supply and return air vents within the containment area.
- Place the moldy items, cleaning rags and anything else that
comes in contact with the mold in airtight plastic trash
bags. Seal the bags before disposing of them.
- When you finish cleaning, immediately wash the clothing you
were wearing.
For more information, consult the EPA's recommendations for Investigating, Evaluating, and Remediating Moisture and Mold Problems - Table 1: Water Damage - Cleanup and Mold Prevention
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