When the conditions are right, mold can grow quickly — sometimes within 24-48 hours. Leaving mold untreated can worsen respiratory illnesses and aggravate asthma and allergies. Mold’s rapid growth and adverse effects on health are why it’s essential to know how to get rid of mold—without harsh chemicals.

Because of the moisture, your basement, kitchen, and bathroom are the most common areas to promote mold and bacteria growth. Use a squeegee on shower doors after use, repair leaks, and keep tile grout clean to keep mold at bay. But even if you clean daily, mold can still sneak in and make itself at home.

The Hidden Dangers of Household Mold

Mold can be a danger not only in kitchens and bathroom showers—it can grow on wood, books, drywall, toys, and other surfaces when the conditions are right. There are thousands of mold species, yet most of us will only encounter a few in our homes. Not all species are dangerous, but it’s still important to learn the best way to kill mold. Here are common indoor mold types and why you should remove them.

Black Mold

Stachybotrys chartarum is a common black mold often found on sheetrock, paper, and other high cellulose surfaces. The fungal by-product, mycotoxins, can become airborne and inhaled by humans and other animals. Mycotoxins from black mold may cause respiratory issues, headaches, and life-threatening blood poisoning. Two other black mold species, cladosporium and alternaria, can also grow in bathrooms and other areas high in moisture.

Green Mold

If you spot green mold in your home, there’s a good chance it’s aspergillus or penicillium. Aspergillus can grow on dust, powdery foods, and drywall. Breathing aspergillus mold spores isn’t harmful to healthy immune systems but could cause infection in those with compromised health. Penicillium typically grows on material with water damage. Known for its pharmaceutical benefits, penicillium isn’t very toxic, but some species can produce dangerous mycotoxins.

Pink Mold

Pink mold isn’t technically a mold but typically appears on showers and shower curtains. Serratia marcescens is a pink bacterium that grows on surfaces with soap residue and can cause respiratory issues and urinary tract infections. Even though the chances of infection are low, skip the risk and keep your bathroom clean and disinfected. Like most mold species, pink mold can negatively affect people recovering from illness or living with respiratory issues.

Mold exposure rarely leads to serious health issues but can wreak havoc on the respiratory system. Coughing, sneezing, and watery eyes may not be from hay fever or allergies—it could be from mold.

How to Kill Mold Safely

Mold removal products are a good option. You can also make your own cleaning solutions with common household cleaners or natural products.

• Use undiluted white vinegar on hard surfaces in kitchens and baths. Apply it directly to the mold.

• Make a bleach solution to kill mold. Mix one cup of bleach in a gallon of water. Apply it to the surface but don’t rinse it off.

• Mix a 50/50 solution of ammonia and water. Spray on the surface. Wait two to three hours and rinse. Repeat if necessary.

Safety Tip: Never mix ammonia with bleach or other all-purpose cleaners. This will create toxic and dangerous fumes.

Mold Removal

Once you’re properly protected, here’s some basic rules on how to get rid of mold:

• For hard surfaces such as windowsills and tile, scrub mold off with detergent and water.

• For more porous surfaces, like drywall, don’t use a brush. Use a cloth so you don’t damage the surface.

• To remove mold from wood, you may need to sand the wood before cleaning it with detergent. Wear protective equipment and isolate the work area while you're sanding. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to clean up any sawdust.

• Always dry any area you clean thoroughly.

• To speed up the job, try a mold cleaner specially formulated with fungicide.

Tip: For very porous surfaces such as ceiling tiles, removing the mold completely may not be possible. Replace the affected material instead.

Clean-up after removal

After a mold removal project, it’s important to keep any mold spores from spreading. Carefully clean tools and properly discard of contaminated materials.

• Seal any used rags, disposable gloves or other moldy materials in a garbage bag.

• Clean safety equipment or other tools with hot water and soap or rubbing alcohol.

• Soak brushes in a bleach solution for an hour. Rinse.

• Dry everything completely before storing.

• Always wash the clothes you worked in right away. Use hot water and don't wash any other items with them

  
  

What are the hidden dangers?