Mold in Your Home: Cleanup & When to Call a Pro
Mold grows anywhere moisture stays: leaky roofs and pipes, damp basements, bathrooms and flooded rooms. It can trigger allergies and asthma. The key to getting rid of it is fixing the water problem first, then cleaning safely.
- Homeowners
- Tenants
Photo: homeowner in an N95, goggles and gloves scrubbing mold off a basement wall with detergent and water
Step 1: Fix the moisture
- Fix leaks in roofs, pipes and windows.
- Dry wet areas within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth.
- Use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens, and a dehumidifier in damp basements.
Without fixing the moisture, mold will come back.
Can you clean it yourself?
- EPA suggests most people can clean areas of less than about 10 square feet (about a 3-by-3-foot patch).
- For larger areas, mold inside walls or HVAC systems, sewage or contaminated flood water, or if anyone in the home has asthma or a weak immune system, consider a professional.
Cleaning safely
- Wear an N95 respirator, goggles and long gloves
- Scrub hard surfaces with detergent and water, then dry them completely
- Throw away porous materials that stay moldy, like carpet, ceiling tiles and soaked drywall
- Bag moldy materials before carrying them through the house
- Ventilate the area while working
Bleach isn’t required and doesn’t fix the moisture problem. If you use it, never mix it with ammonia or other cleaners; it creates toxic gas. See Household Chemicals.
Don’t
- Don’t paint or caulk over mold; it will grow through
- Don’t dry-brush or sand moldy surfaces, which spreads spores
- Don’t disturb old materials that may contain asbestos during cleanup. See Asbestos for Homeowners
Renters
Mold caused by leaks or building problems is usually the landlord’s responsibility to fix. Report it in writing. See Tenant Safety Rights.
Standards & references
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