Mold is a type of fungus that grows in damp, warm, and humid environments. It reproduces through tiny spores that float in the air, often invisible to the naked eye, and can settle on walls, ceilings, carpets, and hidden areas. If you donāt get rid of them, they can cause health issues, structural damage, and grow larger and harder to control.
Who should do the cleanup will also matter. According to the EPA, whether you or a professional cleaner should clean the mold depends on several factors. People with health problems should not clean up moldĀ on their own. However, in most cases, you can perform the cleanup with the right tools and methods. In this guide, youāll learn exactly how to clean mold in the houseĀ and how to prevent it.
What You'll Need
Before learning how to clean mold in the house, prepare all your tools and protective gear. Being fully prepared ensures a safer, faster, and more efficient cleanup process. The right equipment also minimizes the risk of spreading mold spores to other areas of your home.
Equipment and Tools:
- Mask or N95 Respirator (for safe breathing)
- Rubber Gloves (non-latex preferred)
- Goggles (with no ventilation holes)
- Protective Clothing
- Plastic Sheets (for covering doors, windows, floors, and vents)
- Bucket and Spray Bottles (for cleaning solutions)
- Heavy-Duty Plastic Bags
- Brush or Cloths (to scrub and wipe surfaces)
Materials:
- Commercial Cleaner or Ammonia
- 1 Cup Bleach and 1 Gallon of Water
- Detergent
- Undiluted Vinegar
How to Clean Mold in Your House: Step-by-Step
Prolonged exposure to mold, especially to black mold, can worsen asthma, cause respiratory infections, or lead to chronic coughing and fatigue. Therefore, cleaning mold requires careful planning and methodical action. Hereās how to clean mold in the houseĀ to keep your family safe:
Step 1: Identify Source of Moisture
Mold cannot grow without water, so the first step is to find out where moisture is entering your home. Check for leaks in roofs, windows, pipes, and appliances, as well as areas with condensation or flooding. Repair any leaks or water damage before you start cleaning, or mold will return.
Step 2: Prepare the Area
Close doors and seal the work area with plastic sheets and tape to prevent spores from spreading and avoid inhaling them. Make sure children, pets, and anyone with respiratory issues stay out of the affected room. Wear gloves, a mask, and goggles to avoid direct exposure to mold.
Step 3: Prepare Your Cleaning Solution
There are DIY cleaning solutions you can use to remove mold. Store them in the spray bottles. First, you can use undiluted white vinegar and apply it directly to moldy areas. Or, you can mix 1 cup of bleach with 1 gallon of water. However, use only bleach if sewage release occurred.
Another alternative is to combine 50% ammonia and 50% water. Spray this mix on the mold. You can also use a general commercial cleaner. Donāt combine ammonia with bleach or other all-purpose cleaners, as this produces highly toxic fumes that are extremely dangerous to inhale.
Step 4: Cleaning Mold on Surfaces
For hard surfaces like windowsills, tile, countertops, and floors, scrub with a solution of detergent and water. For porous surfaces, such as drywall, use a soft cloth rather than a brush to avoid damaging the material. For wooden surfaces, you may sand the moldy area before cleaning it with detergent.
You can use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to capture any dust or debris created. Alternatively, you can use a robot vacuum like the eufy Robot Vacuum Omni S1 Pro, which features an Eco-Clean Ozoneā¢ function. This function uses ozonated water to sanitize both surfaces and the cleaning pads as part of the cycle, effectively killing up to 99.99% of bacteria, ensuring your mop pads stay hygienic and free from harmful mold and bacteria.
Step 5: Cleaning Mold on the Walls
For mold on the walls, use a dry brush to scrub away the loose surface layer. This step helps expose the deeper mold so the cleaning solution can work more effectively. Next, dip a sponge or cloth into your chosen cleaning solution and wring out the excess liquid so itās damp, not dripping wet.
Ā Carefully scrub the mold-affected area until the stains and residue are lifted from the surface. Once the mold is gone, rinse the wall using a clean sponge or cloth soaked in clean water to remove any remaining cleaner. Finally, allow the wall to dry completely, using a dehumidifier.
Step 6: Cleaning Mold Outside Your House
Mold can also appear on outdoor surfaces like siding, decks, and soffits. To clean mold outside the house, use a bleach and water solution, then spray it generously over the affected area. Allow the solution to sit for about 10 to 20 minutes so it can break down the mold.
For stubborn patches, scrub the surface using a stiff-bristle brush dipped in the same mixture to lift the stains completely. Once done, rinse the area thoroughly with a garden hose to wash away residue and reveal a clean surface.
Step 7: Dispose of Contaminated Materials
Collect any towels, cloths, or materials you used in cleaning. Seal them in heavy-duty plastic bags. If youāre using a HEPA vacuum, carefully vacuum the cleaned area to remove remaining spores. For floor cleaning, you can also use robot vacuums, which have both vacuum and mop functions for easy cleaning.
Clean your safety gear and tools thoroughly with hot water and soap or rubbing alcohol. If you used brushes, soak them in a bleach solution for about an hour, then rinse well. Lastly, wash the clothes you wore during cleaning right away in hot water.
How to Prevent Mold from Coming Back in the House
Understanding how to clean mold in the houseĀ is only half the battle. Preventing its return is the next challenge. Mold thrives in damp, poorly ventilated spaces, so your actions will save you repeated cleaning. Hereās how you can prevent mold from coming back:
1. Fix the Source of Moisture
Mold cannot grow without moisture, so locate areas inside and outside your home with leaks, dampness, or condensation. Repair plumbing leaks, roof drips, and cracked seals on windows. If you find wood rot with mold growth, replace the damaged wood instead of trying to clean it.
2. Control Indoor Humidity
Mold grows best when humidity levels are high. Run a dehumidifier to keep indoor moisture below 50 percent, especially in basements and bathrooms. Turn on exhaust fans or open windows while showering, cooking, or boiling water to release trapped moisture.
3. Keep Gutters and Exterior Areas in Good Condition
Outdoor moisture can make its way indoors if drainage is poor. Keep gutters and downspouts clean and make sure rainwater drains away from your homeās foundation. Replace any exterior wood or stucco that cannot be completely cleaned of mold.
4. Use Mold-Resistant Materials
When remodeling or repairing your home, choose materials that resist moisture and mold growth. Mold-resistant drywall, insulation, and paint are ideal for bathrooms, kitchens, and basements. These materials add long-term protection and reduce the likelihood of needing repeated cleanups.
5. Keep Your Home Clean with Regular Maintenance
Dust and organic debris act as food sources for mold spores, especially when combined with moisture. Regular cleaning removes these potential triggers. Use a robot vacuum daily to help keep your floors and hard-to-reach corners free of dust buildup, pet dander, and crumbs.
Some models, such as the eufy Robot Vacuum Omni E28, come with a built-in portable deep cleaner. It means while the robot vacuums and mops your floors daily, you can use the detachable deep cleaner to clean hard-to-reach areas like sofas, stairs, carpets, and car seats.
Conclusion
Knowing how to clean mold in the houseĀ is about preparation, safe removal, and ongoing prevention. With the right tools and step-by-step approach, you can get rid of mold inside or outside your home. Regular maintenance and moisture control prevent mold from becoming a recurring problem. Acting quickly at the first signs of growth protects your health and your home. By following the discussed strategies, cleaning mold becomes manageable rather than overwhelming. Remember that prevention is always easier than remediation, and your daily habits truly matter.
FAQs
How do I permanently get rid of mold in my house?
To permanently get rid of mold in your house, you must remove both the mold and its moisture source. Clean affected areas with detergent and water or use a commercial cleaning solution. Dry them completely and repair any leaks or damp spots. Use dehumidifiers or exhaust fans to keep humidity below 50 percent. Simply cleaning without fixing the moisture problem wonāt stop mold from returning, so consistent maintenance and proper ventilation are key to long-term prevention.
What kills 100% of mold?
No household cleaner guarantees killing 100% of mold, but using DIY solutions or a commercial pH-neutral cleaning solution can effectively remove most mold from hard or soft surfaces. Refer to the discussed homemade cleaning solutions in the article. Always wear gloves and ensure good ventilation when cleaning. However, if mold has deeply penetrated porous materials like drywall or wood, replacement may be necessary since the roots canāt always be fully removed.
What are the first signs of mold sickness?
The first signs of mold sickness often include allergy-like symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, nasal congestion, watery eyes, or skin irritation. Some people may also experience fatigue, headaches, or a musty odor in their home that triggers discomfort. Those with asthma or weakened immune systems can also feel worse in moldy environments. If these symptoms appear and improve when you leave your home, itās a strong sign that indoor mold might be affecting your health and needs immediate attention.
Can air purifiers remove mold spores?
Yes, air purifiers can help remove mold spores floating in the air, but they canāt eliminate mold already growing on surfaces. Those with HEPA filters are most effective because they trap tiny airborne particles, including spores, preventing them from spreading. However, purifiers should only be part of your strategy. You still need to fix leaks, reduce humidity, and clean visible mold to control the problem. Air purifiers improve air quality but donāt replace actual mold removal.
