Cleaning up attics and basements can be time-consuming, costly, and messy. The reason for this is that mold grows in moist and dark places and often loves to grow in houses that are humid. Mold also likes to grow on things that get wet. So, if you have an attic or basement, chances are good that mold has gotten into it already. Here’s how to clean up attics and basement mold:
How to Clean Up Attic Mold
The first step in cleaning up an attic or basement mold problem is to remove all items from the area. This might mean having to move some items to another room or just getting rid of them altogether. If you can’t completely remove the items, don’t worry; you will likely be able to get most of the mold out of the room without removing anything. Just make sure to throw away any porous materials that mold can grow on.
Next, get a mold killing solution and spray the entire area. Mold needs moisture to survive, so the more moisture you have in the room, the more likely you are to get mold. Mold will begin to grow on any materials that it can get close to. It will start out white or pale and can later develop into a green, fuzzy substance. The mold will likely continue to grow until you take the following steps.
Attic Mold Cleaner
First, get a fan that’s powerful enough to circulate the air in the room. You’ll want to open the windows and put fans running through the attic as well as throughout the house. When the air gets circulated and mixed properly, it can ventilate the attic without allowing the mold spores to get back into the rest of your house. Also, don’t forget your ducts! Open the doors and windows of every room that you think might have mold.
Next, take all the materials out of the attics and rooms. Once you’ve done this, you can clean up attic mold with the right cleaning products. Some great choices for getting rid of this type of fungus are bleach, cedar chips, borax, lemon juice, baking soda, or even vinegar. Just be sure to rinse anything that you use off completely before using it again.
Mold in the Attic
In most cases, it’s easy to clean attics because they’re usually damp and dark. However, mold will grow in places where it’s not always sunny, such as between the walls and in the ceiling. In these areas, you’ll need to work a little harder to keep the mold from growing back. If you really want to go all out, you can exhaust the roof of the attic and clean the walls as well. By doing so, you won’t have to worry about the materials getting contaminated between the two.
Once you’ve gotten rid of the mold entirely, you can put things back. Be careful though to be absolutely sure everything’s okay inside the attic before you do anything else. If you have to open up any materials like paper or wood, make sure to test them first. You don’t want to risk damaging anything further.
Attic Mold Removal
One other thing to remember when you’re learning how to clean up the attic mold is that you should start putting things back as soon as possible. Wait for the material to completely dry before putting anything back. This way you can catch any mold growth before it gets time to spread. If you do this, your home will be mold-free before you know it! It’s very important to keep your attic as clean as possible, so start doing that today.
