Surface mold refers to microorganisms that appear in different areas of your home, including the bathroom and walls. You can easily wipe these molds off the surface with a cleaning agent and damp cloth.
Mildew is a type of surface mold that grows on the surface of items in wet conditions. The removal of mildew demands appropriate cleaning solutions for every surface.
The persistent problem occurs particularly in warm, humid climates and can be problematic during winter. To prevent mildew and eradicate it after its formation, it’s necessary you understand what is surface mold, its sources, and how you can get rid from it.
What is Surface Mold
Mold spores exist readily in nature and are an important part of plants, soil and natural decay. Mold needs nutrition and water to grow. The water can come in high relative humidity, small water leak or flood.
If your house has high relative humidity or condensation, you could have a surface mold problem. If you have had a water leak, roof leak, water appliance overflow, or flood, you have 24 hours to clean it up before mold begin to grow.
How to Identify Surface Mold
You will often recognize surface mold on books, textiles, and other household materials by unpleasant, musty smells and discoloration.
You can identify the surface fungi as a patch of white fungus that appears on various surfaces. You can easily remove it with a brush and cleaner.
The mold grows on anything from which it can obtain sufficient food. In homes, they often develop on cotton, silk, and leather.
Besides being unsightly, surface mold generates an unpleasant odor and frequently functions as an allergen that could generate medical problems.
How to Clean Surface Mold
Are you struggling to clean surface mold? A considerable number of homes deal with mold infestation. However, the trick is stopping the mold growth before they take control of your home.
Cleaning Mold in the Bathroom
If black stains cover your walls, you should seek assistance because they may indicate a bigger issue.
To eliminate occasional black or brown spots from painted walls, combine a solution of 1-cup chlorine bleach and a gallon of warm water.
Meanwhile, wear rubber gloves, dip a brush and scour the area.
Take care not to splash nearby fabrics or yourself. Allow the solution to set a few minutes; rinse using a wet cloth.
It’s even easier to clean the plastic shower-curtain liner: launder it in hot water with chlorine bleach and hot water on the gentle cycle. When it’s dry enough for carrying, re-hang and spread on the rod.
Cleaning Furniture Mold
Wooden pieces that end up in a humid area frequently get stained and emit a stale smell. Vacuum the pieces using a soft brush to eliminate loose spores.
Whisk some dishwashing liquid into warm water, insert a cloth, and wring well. Wipe the stains quickly (avoid excessive wetting of the wood).
Rinse just as fast using a damp cloth. For musty smells, sprinkle the baking powder in the drawers. Ensure you vacuum after a few hours.
Cleaning Solutions that Aid Removal of Surface Mold
Ammonia
Bleach and ammonia are equally efficient in the fight against mildew and mold. However, each has unique applications, and you should never combine the two.
You can use ammonia to clean the mold and ensure the area has sufficient ventilation. Ensure you wear rubber gloves.
Bleach
Bleach is useful for eliminating mildew outside and inside your home. It is particularly suited to ged rid of surface mold:
- Wash mold from washable fabrics.
- Remove mold from the grout between the bathroom tiles.
- Get mold off the shower curtains.
- Eliminate mold from siding and painted surfaces.
Lemons
To remove surface mold on clothes, prepare a paste of salt and lemon juice, rubbing it in the affected area. Afterwards, dry your clothes in the sun.
Repeat this process until the stain disappears. This works well on clothes with rust stains.
The Bottom Line
While surface mold can be problematic during warm and cold weather, maintaining dryness and cleanliness is an efficient approach to avoiding related problems.
Once surface mold emerges, ensure removal takes place as soon as possible. It’s also important to take precautions to avoid its return. If you require assistance on how to clean surface mold, contact you local plumber for help.
