Black Mold loves moisture. Just a little on the exterior of your home, window frames, or furniture and wooden deck is in trouble. "Mold can be found almost anywhere, because they can grow on almost any surface, providing moisture is present," according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This health hazard should be removed immediately.
I needed to remove mold from a hand carved sign name of my brother-in-law did for us years ago. He did it because our house can be difficult to find. We hung the sign out the front door. The whale carved from the top of the signal matches the design on Cape Cod, home. Over the years, however, a dark mold slowly covers the sign, and lowered it.
How can I remove it? "Mold Resources," an article on the website of the EPA, said that hardwood surfaces can be cleaned with water and detergent. Absorbent surfaces such as ceiling tiles and carpet must be replaced. Extensive growth, such as basement walls, require a professional cleaning.
An article InspectAPedia website, "How to clean mold on the creation of Framing, wood or wood deck and the use of fungicidal sealant timber materials," contains more cleaning tips. Pressure washing is recommended for smooth surfaces such as decks. Irregular and difficult to reach surfaces can be cleaned with jet media - Spray can use baking soda or dry ice. While you can clean them sanding surfaces, not recommended. "This is a slow process, the process of labor-intensive, it is impractical for any large area cleaning."
I went to my local home store for complete cleaning. The store had mold test kits, home cleaning products, which were mainly chlorine, mold and mildew remover instant, a combination of chlorine and bleach. The cleaning timber products were only available in large sizes. One staff member recommended bleach diluted with water and your suggestion got me thinking about clean shower.
We had several bottles of spray cleaner on hand and have tried each one. The cleaner with bleach most worked better. I put on rubber gloves, established in the sign plan, sprayed and rubbed with a Scrubbles kitchen. I did it twice. Then rinse the sign and wiped it with old towels. Hours later, when the sign was completely dry, sand smooth and seal the surface. The shower was cleaner and easier to use than wood may work on their cleanliness standards.
You can not think that you have black mold. However, the EPA, in an article entitled "A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home" says you should inspect your home for signs of mold, moisture, leaks and spills. Controlling moisture is key to controlling mold, according to the EPA. If you find any, not even a point at the corner of a window, remove it immediately.
Since I can not control the weather, I know I have to clean up the signal again. But that is years away. For now, the sign is clean, bright, and back to where it belongs - on the front door. I love it and so do the neighbors.
Copyright 2009 by Harriet Hodgson