How to Get Rid of Mold in Your House

Finding mold in your home is never fun. But it doesn’t mean you have to immediately hammer a “For Sale” sign into your front yard. In some cases, you can handle mold on your own, armed with a vinegar solution and a strong scrubbing brush. However, in more serious situations, you’ll want professional help with the mold removal process.

In this guide, we’ll cover when you can get rid of mold safely on your own—and when it’s time to call in the professionals.

Key Takeaways

While mildew is flat, powdery, and stays on the surface, mold appears fuzzy or slimy and can penetrate beneath what you see.

If the affected area is larger than 10 square feet, or has spread to porous materials, it’s best to call a professional mold remediation service.

If you’re considering cleaning small areas of mold, always wear protective gear like gloves, googles, and a mask.

Keep an eye on treated areas for several weeks after cleaning to make sure the mold doesn’t return.

1. Before You Begin: When Do You Need Professional Mold Remediation?

Before you break out the cleaning supplies, confirm what substance you’re dealing with. Mold or mildew? Mold will appear fuzzy or slimy, with a black, green, or dark color and a strong musty smell. Mildew is flat and powdery, with a white, gray, or yellow color.

While it’s safe to clean mildew on your own, a mold situation often requires professional help. You’ll want to call in a mold remediation specialist if:

The affected area is larger than 10 square feet.
The mold has spread to porous materials like drywall, insulation, or subflooring.
You can smell a musty odor but can’t find the source.
The mold is caused by contaminated water, such as sewage backup or flooding.
You or your family members are struggling with ongoing respiratory symptoms.

Professional mold remediation goes beyond surface cleaning. Experts use specialized equipment to detect hidden mold, contain affected areas, and safely remove mold-infested materials. They’ll also address the root cause of the moisture to stop the mold from growing back again and again.

If you’re not sure how to get rid of mold or feel the problem is just too big to face alone, request an assessment from a professional before you attempt any cleaning.

2. Mold Safety and Prep

Mold can cause respiratory issues or trigger allergies, which is why many homeowners leave it to the professionals. If you’re planning a DIY clean, it’s important to gear up and protect yourself before you tackle an outbreak. Even a small patch of mold can release spores when you start scrubbing it away.

Begin your prep by opening windows and doors to establish airflow. If possible, set up a fan pointing outward to push contaminated air outside.

Next, gather your tools. This should include a mask, safety goggles, gloves, and cleaning supplies like a scrub brush and bucket.

Once you’re geared up and your workspace is ready to go, it’s time to prepare your mold-demolishing cleaner.

3. Choose the Right Mold Cleaning Solution

A big part of getting rid of mold comes down to choosing the right cleaner. You have two main options: store-bought mold removers or DIY solutions you can make at home.

If you’re short on time or don’t have a well-stocked cleaning closet, you can always swing by your nearest home improvement store or big box retailer and pick up a commercial mold cleaner. The benefit of this choice is that these cleaners are formulated specifically for mold removal.

You can make your own mold remover using these common household items:

White vinegar (undiluted)
Hydrogen peroxide (3% solution)
Baking soda mixed with water to form a paste

Be sure not to mix different cleaning agents together, as some combinations (like hydrogen peroxide with vinegar) can produce toxic fumes.

4. Removing Mold

Now that you’re ready with your safety gear and mold-killing solution, it’s time to clean. The right approach to getting rid of mold will depend on the surface you’re cleaning.

For hard, nonporous surfaces like tile, glass, or countertops, spray your cleaning solution generously and let it sit (10-15 minutes for hydrogen peroxide and 30-60 minutes for white vinegar). After the time is up, wipe the area with a damp cloth, rinsing frequently to avoid spreading spores. For stubborn spots, repeat the process.

Textured surfaces, like grout, concrete, or textured walls, require more effort. Here, you’ll want to use a stiff-bristled scrub brush to work the cleaner into the crevices where mold likes to hide. Scrub in a circular motion, applying a steady pressure with your brush.

Porous materials, like drywall, carpet, or ceiling tiles, present a big challenge if you’re attempting to clean it yourself. Mold can squirm deep into these materials, making it almost impossible for you to remove it completely. In some cases, you may need to cut away the moldy area and replace it altogether. A mold remediation specialist can help you evaluate the best solution for these areas.

5. Clean Up Appropriately

Just because the mold is gone doesn’t mean the job is done. Cleaning up is just as important as the mold removal itself. If you skip this step, you could unintentionally spread spores to other areas of your home and end up with more moldy surprises in the future.

Start by tossing all contaminated materials into a heavy-duty garbage bag. Seal the bag tightly before carrying it out of your house.

Wipe down your remaining tools with the cleaning solution, then rinse them thoroughly. Consider replacing your scrub brush rather than risk future contamination. Turn your gloves inside out when you take them off, and wash your clothes right away in hot water. Wash your clothes separately so you don’t risk getting mold spores on other laundry.

Finally, dry the clean area completely using fans or a dehumidifier. Mold thrives in warmth and moisture, so make sure you get rid of any dampness to prevent mold from coming back.

6. Monitor for Return Mold Growth

Getting rid of mold in your home feels so good, but the battle isn’t over. If you don’t address the underlying issue that caused the mold in the first place, you’ll probably face it again in the future.

To start, monitor the area you cleaned for the next few weeks. Look for any signs of discoloration, musty odors, or fuzzy growth. If mold returns quickly, there’s probably a hidden source of moisture that you’ll want a mold remediation professional to address.

Next, focus on mold prevention.

Tips for Mold Prevention

The best way to avoid mold in the first place is to control humidity and moisture levels throughout your home.

Use your air conditioner or a dehumidifier to keep the humidity levels in your house between 30% and 50%.
Fix any leaky pipes, faucets, or roofs as soon as possible.
Make sure your bathrooms and kitchen have good ventilation. Use exhaust fans during showers and cooking.
Don’t leave wet towels or clothes in piles.
Clean your gutters and extend downspouts to move water away from your home’s foundation.
Trim shrubs and plants back from your exterior walls to improve airflow and reduce the buildup of moisture.

No one likes adding more chores to their to-do list, but these preventative steps will help keep your home mold-free.

How SERVPRO Helps You Get Rid of Mold

When getting rid of the mold in your home becomes more than a weekend project, SERVPRO can help. Our trained technicians use advanced equipment and proven techniques to thoroughly assess, contain, and remediate mold in your home. We work carefully to remove and mold-infested materials while protecting other areas from cross-contamination.

If you’re done dealing with mold, contact SERVPRO to request an inspection from your local professional.

FAQs

Still have questions about how to get rid of mold? Take a look at the answers to common mold remediation questions below.

How do I get rid of mold in my house?

To get rid of mold in your home, start with the right preparation. Wear protective gloves, goggles, and an N95 mask. Apply a mold-killing cleaner to the affected area, such as white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide. Let the solution sit, then scrub the surface thoroughly. Let it dry. For larger mold issues, consider hiring a professional mold remediation specialist.

How do I get rid of mold on the walls?

For painted and sealed walls, spray the moldy area with white vinegar or a commercial mold remover. Let it sit. Scrub gently with a damp cloth or soft brush, then wipe it clean and dry thoroughly. If you find mold on unpainted drywall, you may need to cut out the affected section and replace it.

When should I call a professional to get rid of mold?

You should call a professional mold remediation service if the mold covers a large area, keeps coming back after you clean it, or you can smell a musty odor but can’t find the source. It’s smart to bring in a professional if the mold is on porous materials (like drywall, insulation, carpet, or subflooring) or if it was caused by flooding, sewage, or other contaminated water. In those cases, surface cleaning usually won’t fully solve the problem, and you’ll want the expertise of a specialist for peace of mind.

How do professionals get rid of mold in a home?

Professional mold remediation goes beyond scrubbing what you can see. A professional will typically start with an inspection to locate visible and hidden mold and identify the moisture source. Then they contain the area to help prevent spores from spreading, use specialized filtration to clean the air in your home, and remove or treat affected materials based on what they’re made of. After cleanup, they dry the area thoroughly and address the underlying moisture problem to help keep mold from returning.