While only professionals should remove black mold, homeowners may remove non-toxic mold themselves. In order to do so, the area should be cordoned off with plastic sheeting, and any pieces of plywood, drywall, etc., that are removed should be placed on the sheeting. When disposing of the material, including any protective gear worn during remediation, it’s important to tightly seal the sheeting before disposing of it. Always wear protective goggles, suits, and face masks when performing mold remediation.
Mold can be removed from hard surfaces by using a stiff brush to scrub it off after applying hot water, detergent, and bleach. If the mold is on a porous surface, using water can actually promote mold growth, since the material will take in the water—and we all know how much mold loves water! The area needs to be sanded and sealed with special-made sealants available at hardware stores once the mold is removed and the surface is dry. Don’t skip the scrubbing and go straight to the sealant. Mold doesn’t need much oxygen to survive—some is anaerobic and doesn’t require any oxygen at all—so all a sealant will do is cover up a living organism, giving it more opportunity to dig deeper into the surface and continue growing.