DIY Clean Up of Deadly Black Mold

Assess the mold damage. If the mold is extensive, consider having a professional service do the cleanup. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends having a professional mold cleanup service handle the job if the mold covers more than 10 square feet. (See References 1)

Wear rubber gloves, a protective mask and goggles, as black mold causes respiratory problems.

Open windows to let air circulate while cleaning up black mold.

Remove items damaged by mold that cannot be cleaned. If items were wet for more than two days and you cannot put them in a washing machine, throw them away. Carpeting, chairs, mattresses and sofas should be thrown out if they have been wet for more than two days. It is almost impossible to remove mold from these items.

Place washable fabric items that fit in a washing machine on the hottest setting for that fabric and wash. Separate whites from darks, and use chlorine bleach to wash whites following manufacturer's directions. Dry thoroughly before placing back in drawers and closets.

Clean countertops and windowsills with a bleach mixture. Mix 1 cup of bleach in a gallon bucket of water. Wipe down hard surfaces that have mold on them and wipe dry. Wood should be cleaned with wood cleaner.

Spray windows with ammonia-based glass cleaner and wipe with paper towels.

Clean floor tiles with floor cleaner and dry immediately. Some floors may be cleaned with a mixture of 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water. Test in a small area before cleaning moldy floors with this solution.