Homemade Tips: How to Kill Black Molds

Black mold is greenish-black in appearance and is slimy to touch when wet. The breeding grounds for this type of mold are sewers, drains, damp walls and wooden furniture. An interesting fact about the black molds is they can survive in dry conditions but require dampness to propagate.

Black mold or Stachybotrys chartarum is detrimental to health and is responsible for many of the lung disorders including asthma, bronchitis and also respiratory bleeding in babies. You should be careful while removing black mold. The spores from the dry black mold should be removed with care, to avoid it from being released into the air. If an area is heavily infested with black mold, it is advisable to get the help of a professional. Else, there are a few home remedies that could be tried before seeking professional help.

Home Remedies to Kill Black Molds

Black molds are not seen in well-aired and ventilated homes. However, the growth of the black mold could be reduced or sometimes prevented by installing dehumidifiers, electric fans and air-conditioners. Black mold is commonly seen in bathrooms, leather goods and in clothes that have not been used for a long time. Here are a few simple home remediation tips to kill black molds.

One of the ways to remove black molds from the bathroom floor and tiles is to sprinkle bleaching powder in the infected areas. Leave it overnight or for 4 to 6 hours. When you are killing black molds in bathroom, remember to close the door to avoid the spores from floating into the adjacent rooms. Scrub the tiles and floor using a hard brush till the entire black mold is removed. Wash the floor and tiles with plenty of water. Using a strong detergent powder scrub the floor clean to remove the traces of the mold. Leave the windows and the door open to let the fresh air inside. Sunlight would remove the dampness, which in turn would stop the black mold from propagating. To prevent the breeding of black molds, it is wise to clean the bathroom regularly or at least once a week. Black mold can affect the health of young children and senior citizens.

Molds grow on certain fabrics such as cotton, wool and silk. In fabrics, brushing off the black molds is not enough. It is wise to wash or dry clean them before reusing. Fabrics such as silk and wool need to be dry-cleaned. The cotton fabrics can be washed using mild non-chlorine bleaches. After washing, rinse the clothes well before hanging them out to dry. It is advisable to dry the washed cloths in sunlight.

If you happen to notice black mold in carpets and furniture upholstery, use a vacuum cleaner to remove the mold. Air the carpets and cushions once a week. Do the same with the quilts and the blankets.

Black mold is commonly found in leather goods such as bags and shoes that have not been used for a long time. To remove mold from leather, use a solution of alcohol and water. Wipe the leather goods dry after killing the mold. Use a good quality wax to polish the leather articles to prevent the growth of mold.

Wipe books and journals infested with black mold with a cloth dipped in mild soap water. Remove the dampness using a dry-cloth and sun dry them before putting them back in place. In the meantime, clean the bookrack using damp cloth first, followed by a dry cloth. Before arranging the books, spread a clean sheet of newspaper to prevent the dampness from affecting the books.

Dusting and airing the furniture frequently would prevent the black mold from settling in your home. If there is any leakage in the bathrooms, call a plumber to repair the same. Keep in mind, prevention is always better than cure.