Mold Removal Salt Lake City involves reducing or eliminating mold and addressing the conditions that support growth. It is the step that gets your home back to a safe, breathable condition.
It is ideal for surfaces that are non-porous and that can be easily wiped clean such as tile or glass. However, it is important to note that mold removal does not address the underlying cause for the mold and will only serve as an immediate solution.
While mold can cause a variety of health issues, such as sinus congestion, headaches, and respiratory problems, it doesn’t always require the use of harsh chemicals or mold-killing agents to get rid of. In fact, there are a number of natural cleaners that can effectively remove mold from a variety of surfaces without harming people, pets, or the environment.
Vinegar
The simplest and most effective way to kill mold is by using white vinegar. This non-toxic household staple is inexpensive and easy to find, making it the perfect choice for killing mold on most surfaces including wood and tile. Vinegar kills approximately 82 percent of mold spores and also works well on many other types of surface contamination. If you don’t like the smell of vinegar, consider adding a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the mixture.
Baking soda
Another household staple, baking soda can be used as a mold killer by itself or mixed with water and vinegar to create a solution. This solution should be sprayed on the affected area and allowed to sit for 10 minutes, after which it can be scrubbed with a brush. Alternatively, baking soda can be combined with tea tree oil for a more powerful solution.
Hydrogen peroxide is a three-in-one antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral agent that is safer than bleach and can be used to get rid of mold on porous items such as woven furniture. However, it is important to dilute the hydrogen peroxide properly to avoid potential damage to surfaces.
The best way to remove mold from a surface is to use a combination of methods. The first step is to reduce moisture in the area by using a dehumidifier and draining regularly until humidity levels are below 50%. It is also helpful to improve ventilation in the room by opening windows and running fans. Once the area is dry, it can be wiped clean with homemade natural cleaners and scrubbed to ensure that all visible mold is killed. Depending on the severity of the problem, larger surface areas may need to be cleaned with chemical solutions.
Bleach
Bleach is a common cleaning product that many people use to kill mold and other organisms. However, bleach is toxic and can cause serious health issues if used incorrectly or in high doses. If you decide to use bleach, open the windows and doors for ventilation, wear gloves, eye goggles, and a face mask, and mix it according to instructions on the package. Be sure to scrub surfaces and rinse them thoroughly after using bleach. Also, don’t mix bleach with ammonia, as this creates dangerous chlorine gas, which can be inhaled and lead to severe symptoms.
While bleach can remove traces of mold from nonporous materials like tubs and certain types of tile, it cannot kill or penetrate deep into porous materials such as wood or drywall. Therefore, even after you wipe down the surface of a porous material and scrub it with a brush or sponge, the mold will return because its roots have reached deep into the fibers of the materials.
Additionally, if you accidentally get bleach on your skin, it can cause burns. It can also irritate your nose and throat, as well as deteriorate your esophagus, lungs, and respiratory system over time. Bleach fumes can also be dangerous if inhaled, so always wear a face mask and eye goggles when applying it to surfaces.
Finally, while bleach is effective at killing some bacteria and viruses, it doesn’t work against some types of fungus (like black mold). In addition, the bleach can eat away at surfaces, leading to structural damage and posing serious health risks for people with allergies or weakened immune systems.
Fortunately, there are nontoxic options for tackling mold in your home, including 3% hydrogen peroxide solution and white vinegar. If you have a large mold infestation, it is best to contact a professional. These professionals have the proper equipment to thoroughly clean and eradicate large-scale mold infestations, as well as address underlying moisture issues that contribute to their growth. They can also provide preventive measures for future mold infestations.
Ammonia
If you’re dealing with a serious mold infestation, or you’re looking for a more thorough solution than bleach, ammonia is a powerful mold removal option. But before you use it, be aware that ammonia is toxic and can irritate skin, eyes, and lungs if inhaled. It can also damage surfaces such as concrete and wood, so it’s important to follow safety precautions when using this cleaning agent.
Ammonia is particularly effective at killing surface mold and mildew on non-porous surfaces. It’s a good choice for shower stalls, countertops, and kitchen backsplashes. However, it is not effective on porous surfaces such as drywall or wood, and should never be mixed with bleach because the combination creates toxic chloramine gas. To use ammonia safely, mix it with water to create a diluted solution, and test it on an inconspicuous area of the surface you plan to clean. If the solution doesn’t damage the surface, you can apply it and let it sit for up to 10 minutes. Then, scrub and rinse. Always wear gloves, goggles, and a mask when working with ammonia, and ventilate the area to reduce exposure to toxic fumes.
Other non-toxic mold removal methods include white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and baking soda. Vinegar is natural and safe for the environment, and it can kill most types of mold. Hydrogen peroxide can also be used as a mold killer, but it should be sprayed on the affected surface and allowed to sit for up to an hour, then scrubbed and rinsed. Baking soda, on the other hand, is safe for most surfaces and can be used to kill mildew as well as deodorize the area.
While the use of ammonia and other strong chemical cleaners can help kill and remove mold, a professional mold remediation service is recommended for extensive infestations or toxic molds such as black mold. Mold removal companies are equipped with advanced tools that can ensure the full eradication of mold and other harmful substances without damaging your concrete surfaces.
It’s important to note that even if you kill the visible mold with bleach or other chemical cleaners, the problem will continue if moisture issues are not addressed. Identifying and repairing the source of moisture will prevent mold from regrowing once the surface is cleaned.
Fungicides
Fungicides are toxic chemicals that kill fungi. When applied as a spray, they can be used to treat surfaces that are already contaminated with mold or fungal growth. However, because the spray contains a chemical that is toxic to humans, proper precautions must be taken when using this method. This includes working in a fume hood or outdoors and wearing protective gear including gloves, face mask, and goggles. When spraying, it is important to make sure that the material is well soaked and there are no dry spots on the surface of the object. This is especially important for porous materials such as photographs.
A variety of fungicides are currently in use, with the most common being ureas, organophosphates, and carbaryls. In addition to these synthetic compounds, many natural substances also act as antifungal agents. For example, creosote, which is derived from coal tar, is used to prevent dry rot in wood and cadmium chloride, mercury(II) chloride, and other metal salts are used to control turfgrass diseases.
The effectiveness of fungicides to reduce disease on crop plants depends on whether they are used for preventative or curative purposes and on the timing of the application. Preventative fungicides are most effective when applied before inoculation, while curative fungicides are most effective when used within three days after inoculation.
There is a growing need to understand the pathogenesis of invasive Mucor mycosis infections and to develop strategies for prevention and treatment. Current infection control practices largely involve prophylaxis and empirical treatment based on hematology results or clinical symptoms. However, these measures only account for a small fraction of the total number of invasive Mucormycosis infections (Kontoyiannis and Lewis 2011).
A comprehensive assessment of the risks to aquatic organisms from fungicides will require more detailed data on the duration and magnitude of environmental exposure to these substances. In particular, the lack of data on the contributions of land-use types to the overall exposure in upstream catchments has hampered efforts to evaluate risks from fungicides. This information could help improve the design of monitoring programs and support judicious use of these important products.
