When there is water damage, the presence of mold is inevitable because these two things go hand in hand. In certain parts of the home, such as basements or bathrooms, mold growth has a higher chance of happening due to their moist environments and lack of ventilation.

Kitchens can also fall victim to mold growth due to the high levels of moisture and humidity in the area. Mold can often be found under the sink or even behind appliances.

For mold to grow, it needs two things— moisture and material to grow on. Once the material is exposed to water, mold will start to grow in less than two days.

If you happen to spot any wet spots in less than two days, then you might have saved your home from mold growth. However, sometimes leaks or puddles can go unseen for more than a couple of days. Most homeowners might notice mold growth when they smell something musty or spot dark spots on walls or furniture.

So, what’s a homeowner to do when specks of mold start showing up? 

If the mold growth in your home is extensive, then professional help might be the answer. However, if it’s just a couple of small spots, you might be able to remove it on your own without any professional assistance.

Here are five tips for every homeowner to help them remove mold effectively.

Get Rid of the Source of Moisture

Mold thrives on moisture. Water is what fuels mold growth, so the first step is to remove any source of moisture in your home. This might include leaks, cracks, or malfunctioning appliances. In some cases, it could be laundry that you didn’t appropriately dry or a puddle of water somewhere in your home.

In most cases, patching up any leaks or cracks in your home will get rid of the source of moisture and prevent mold growth from worsening. 

Dry The Area Thoroughly

A mistake homeowners often make is not drying areas of the home or furniture thoroughly. When items aren’t dried properly, you can expect mold to grow soon. This also applies to areas in your home. As long as the site or object is still wet, mold will definitely survive and continue to grow.

So, keep in mind to dry any wet spots thoroughly and make sure that you dry your items properly to keep mold from growing.

Clean With Soap and Water

If you’re dealing with a mild mold problem, soap and water will be enough to kill it. Non-porous surfaces such as metal and tile are way easier to clean because mold can’t dig into the material like they would with carpets or fabrics.

When dealing with hard surfaces, soap and water is sufficient for killing any mold. For porous materials such as fabrics or carpets, a HEPA vacuum would be needed to really pick up any mold spores.

Dispose Of Cleaning Materials

Once you’ve finished cleaning up mold, you must dispose of the materials you’ve used, such as sponges and wipes, since they are now covered with active mold spores. If you keep them and continue using them to clean other areas, it might contaminate your home and cause more mold problems.

Regularly Observe the Area

The last tip would be to continue checking spots that you’ve cleaned to monitor whether or not the mold has come back. Also, make time to go around your home and check for any leaks, cracks, or signs of water damage. 

If your home is fairly new or you’ve decided to renovate it, then this would be an excellent time to check the house for any signs of mold growth or damages. 

Wrapping Up

Mold problems cause a lot of trouble but removing them doesn’t have to be difficult. Merely getting rid of the source of moisture is already a step in the right direction. Although some leaks and damages might require professional help, cleaning specks of mold will only need soap and water. 

Also, remember to monitor your home and look out for signs of mold growth. The best mold removal tip is to prevent mold growth in the first place.

Guest Contributor: Diana R.