Can I Remove Mold Myself?

The answer to this question is “It depends.” Depending on the type and amount of mold and whether or not it has spread beyond the surface, you may be able to deal with the situation yourself.

You can read more about that here. Know what kind of mold you’re dealing with, whether it’s growing in residential indoor air (such as your HVAC ducts) or outside (such as on a deck). If it’s black mold — such as Stachybotrys chart arum – see my article on how to identify and remove toxic black mold. Note: Removing any mold yourself can be dangerous if you don’t know exactly what you’re doing and follow proper procedures, so please use extreme caution.

However, if your mold problem isn’t black mold and it’s just taking over a section of your wall or another surface you’re mainly concerned with, then you can take some steps on your own to try to remove it. Some common household cleaners have been shown in lab studies to be somewhat effective at killing off certain types of molds when used full-strength on them. However, many of these products are harsh chemicals that burn the skin and lungs, so please use caution. Also — given that most people don’t have access to lab testing equipment — there are no guarantees these methods will work for sure, although they may help in some cases.

Home Remedies for Mold Removal: Vinegar

Vinegar is probably the most commonly-recommended mold remediation solution as it’s cheap and doesn’t pose much risk of damaging surfaces. However, there is very little science on how well it can remove mold. Many experts say that vinegar works wonders at killing mold. Still, others warn against using it as a cleaner because no actual research shows its effectiveness. Some even believe vinegar may accelerate mildew growth and encourage the spread of molds in the home! If you do, try using vinegar to clean up the mold.

Home Remedies for Mold Removal: Sugar, Baking Soda & Other Foods

You may have heard that some foods are effective at killing mold. For example, many people swear by using baking soda or sugar scrub to kill mold growing on surfaces. However, I’m not aware of any studies showing the effectiveness of using food-based cleaners in cleaning up mold. If you try these methods, it’s probably best to follow them up with a thorough bleach or vinegar rinsing to ensure every bit of harmful microbe is gone from the surface. And remember always to use extra caution when dealing with molds.