How to Use Bleach on Black Mold

Black mold has the potential to aggravate allergies, and some of its forms are toxic. This kind of mold tends to thrive in any place that is damp, poorly ventilated and does not get a lot of sunlight, so it can be a problem for many homeowners, as it often pops up after storm damage, flooding or leaks. Black mold can be killed under certain circumstances with a simple mixture of bleach, water and a little elbow grease.

Rubber gloves
Respirator
Safety goggles (optional)
Bucket
Bleach
Scrub brush
Old rags

Instructions

- 1
  Open all the doors and windows into the moldy area. Activate the exhaust fan, if there is one. If there is not, set up a fan to improve ventilation. You want a good flow of air to blow out any spores released during the cleaning, as this will help prevent a recurrence of black mold.
- 2
  Put on rubber gloves and a respirator mask. Safety goggles are a good idea, but only necessary if you will be putting bleach in an overhead area (because of the increased risk of it getting into your eyes).
- 3
  Make a disinfecting, mold-killing solution of 1 cup of household bleach for every gallon of water.
- 4
  Scrub the area infected with black mold using a stiff-bristled plastic brush and the bleach-and-water mixture. Let that sit for about five minutes after scrubbing.
- 5
  Wipe the scum of bleach-and-mold up with an old rag.

How to Choose a Mold & Mildew Remediation Service

How to Clean Up a Flooded Crawl Space

Flood Damage