How To Remove Mould From A House

According to the World Health Organisation, around 50 per cent of homes in Australia contain mould. This is a dangerous number as this mould can cause several health issues like respiratory diseases, nasal congestion, wheezing, eye and throat infection, asthma and allergies. Therefore, it is better to get rid of this mould as soon as possible to keep your and your family’s health safe. If this mould is spread over an area larger than 10 square feet and has been present for a while, you need to call professional bond cleaners on Gold Coast to remove it. You can use DIY cleaning methods to remove mould from your home for smaller surface areas where mould has just sprouted up. But first, you should understand what mould is and how deadly it can be for your health.

What is Mould?

According to official definitions, mould is a fungus that thrives in damp and humid conditions and can reproduce through particles called spores. Mould often appears as a discolouration, stain or smudge on your building materials and home furnishings and can range from various colours like black, green, white, orange and grey. When these airborne mould spores find damp spots in your home, they land on them and start to grow and form big mould patches. These mould spores are dangerous, can weaken your immune system, and cause chronic lung diseases.

Why Is Mould Harmful?

Mould is harmful as it can lead to nasal congestion, infections, wheezing and allergies. These conditions can harm people with weak immune systems and allergies like asthma and hay fever. In extreme cases, prolonged mould exposure can cause chronic and obtrusive lung diseases. Some studies also suggest that mould can make you feel more tired and can cause depression as well. Therefore, cleaning mould as soon as you notice any patches or spots on your walls and furnishings is necessary. You can hire bond cleaning in Gold Coast if it has spread to a large area or if you feel it is manageable, then you can clean it on your own. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to remove mould from your home:

How To Remove Mould

1. Wear Protective Gear Your first step should be to wear protective equipment like a P1 or P2 mask, a shower cap, goggles and overalls to clean the mould. This is because mould spores may become airborne when you clean them; thus, you can inhale them or land on your skin and cause infections. 2. Gather Your Cleaning Supplies Once you have worn your protective gear, you should arrange your cleaning caddy with the following items:

Vacuum with HEPA filters

White distilled vinegar

Microfiber cloths

Spray bottle

Water

Detergent

Borax or baking soda

3. Create Your Solution You should make your cleaning solution by mixing one cup of white distilled vinegar with three parts of water in a spray bottle. White vinegar is one of the best natural products that can help you clean mould as it contains acetic acid, which breaks down the structure of the mould. 4. Spray The Solution You should spray the solution all over the mould patches and wait ten minutes. Next, blot the patches with a clean microfiber cloth to remove the solutions, and the mould will also come off.

Important tip

Make sure you do not scrub the solution on the mould patch as this can make the mould spores airborne, and they will land on some other damp spot, or else you might inhale them. 1. Add Detergent And Baking Soda If the mould stain is not coming off, sprinkle some detergent on a microfiber cloth and wipe the mould patch. To ensure that this mould does not return, add one cup of borax or baking soda to the detergent and wipe the mould with it. The high pH in baking soda and borax prevents mould growth in these areas. 2. Ventilate The Area Lastly, you must ensure that these patches dry quickly, or new mould spores could land on these spots. Open all your doors and windows and let sunlight come in and dry your surfaces. You can also vacuum the spots with a HEPA filter that will collect even the tiniest mould spores and parcels and keep your indoor air quality clean.

Tips To Prevent Mould

You can use the above steps to clean any mould infestations in your home, but you must also prevent the further growth of mould by using the following tips:

Get a dehumidifier to ensure your home has a humidity level of 50% and is not damp.

Check all your pipes and taps to see if there is any leakage that is causing dampness and moisture in your home.

You can also talk to your building agent about using more moisture-resistant materials for your walls and surfaces.

Always keep your exhaust fans on when having a bath or cooking in the kitchen to prevent moisture buildup.

Regularly inspect all areas in your home for any mould buildup and patches.

You should treat mould spots as soon as possible and for larger infestations, always hire professional bond cleaners on Gold coast to help eliminate and prevent mould in your home.

Conclusion

Mould is a dangerous fungus that can grow in damp and humid spots and harm your health. These mould spores can heighten infections and allergies and even cause severe lung infections. Thus, treating it as soon as possible using the step-by-step method above to clean and disinfect these areas is better. You must also maintain a well-ventilated home to ensure that these mould spores do not grow again.