JBGoodwin REALTORS® - Austin & San Antonio Real Estate Blog

It’s not a pleasant topic, but every home will experience mold at one point or another and if gone untreated, it could snowball into a much larger problem down the road. While a little bit of mold might be easier to ignore than to deal with, it can lead to health problems for you and your home. Here are a few quick tips and solutions for removing mold from common places that could save you time and money down the road. 

Where Does Mold Come From?

The short answer? It’s everywhere. There’s good mold and bad mold, but unless it's blue cheese, the type that occurs in your home isn’t good mold. It can appear as tiny black spots or grow into larger clusters. Mold will thrive in an environment with sufficient moisture and warm temperatures, which is why it so commonly occurs in bathrooms and kitchens and places that don’t receive a lot of sunlight. Single-pane windows are especially notorious for mold thanks to condensation. If you’re wondering if you have mold, be on the lookout for stains and discoloration on the surfaces as well as a musty scent.

What You Need To Start Cleaning It

Many of the items you need to start cleaning the mold in your home can be purchased from your local hardware store.

• Dust mask, goggles, and rubber, vinyl, or latex gloves.
• Garbage bag, paper towel, and a small bucket
• Bleach, dish soap, and water

If it’s a very moldy area, soak it first with water to prevent the mold spores from releasing into the air when you disturb the cluster on the surface.

How To Clean Surface Mold

1. Clean the area with water and dish detergent. 
2. Once the area is clean, use a little bit of bleach or a disinfectant spray and go over the area.
3. Throw the paper towel in the garbage bag and take it outside to the trash bin right away.

How To Get Mold Out Of Carpet

1. Vacuum the infected area thoroughly. Take the vacuum outside and dispose of the bag right away after doing so. 
2. Use warm water and dish soap and blot the affected area with a sponge. If this doesn’t work, you can try mixing hydrogen peroxide and water at a 1:5 ratio (respectively) and dab the stain from the outside and work your way to the center.
3. Let it dry without the use of a fan. Throw away the sponge that was used to clean the affected area.

Still Need Help? It Might Be Time To Call In A Pro

While it’s easy to take care of the simple surface mold, bigger problems will require a little extra cleaning power that only the experts can provide. Keeping up on mold prevention is an important way to help ensure your home stays as fresh and clean so that you can enjoy living in it, happily and healthily. Plus, it's one less thing to worry about when it comes time to sell.

Different types of mold can be extremely toxic, so take caution when attempting to remove certain types of mold. If you don’t know what type of mold you’re dealing with or you start feeling ill, it may be best to get in touch with a local expert to help with the removal.

Are you tired of dealing with mold problems in your current home? Contact the team at JB Goodwin REALTORS® to discuss your options. We'll find the best home to match your budget, preferences, and lifestyle, and most importantly a home that you love living in.