Most moulds found in the home are harmful to health, causing allergies, asthma and other problems.
To grow, mould needs nutrients (found in wood, paper or fabrics and in synthetics like paint and adhesives) and moisture.
They usually develop in high moisture levels caused by poor ventilation, flooding and plumbing leaks or from everyday activities such as showering, washing clothes and cooking.
Mould can be any colour, but it’s usually black or green. Use your eyes and nose to detect it. If you have a fuzzy discolouration in a place that is damp or has been damp, it is almost certainly mould. If the room smells musty or earthy, there is probably mould in it.
How you get rid of it depends on how much there is and where it’s located.
Larger areas need to be cleaned by professionals.
If it is on a piece of furniture or an item that can be removed, just get rid of it.
If it is on a hard surface of less than 1m2, you can scrub the area. Some websites say to scrub only with water and a detergent that does not contain ammonia.
Others recommend using a solution of water, detergent and bleach (three parts water to one part bleach). If you use bleach, do remember that its fumes are harmful, so provide good ventilation and don’t mix bleach with detergents that contain ammonia.
Once you have washed the area, sponge it with a clean, wet rag and dry quickly. Don’t wet the area too much while cleaning.
You should wear safety glasses or goggles, a disposable dust mask and household rubber gloves when removing mould.
Mould that comes back after cleaning is usually an indication that the source of moisture has not been removed. Find and eliminate the source of excessive moisture, and provide continuous ventilation. - The Star
l Sources: Realtor.org and COPD International