Mold. It’s a problem we’ve all had at some point; mold germinates from airborne spores which can be found just about anywhere and everywhere on the planet. This fungus is a common nuisance in the home. Rarely, it becomes more than an unsightly annoyance, as when mold growth goes on undetected deep within walls and causes structural damage through dry rot over time.

Certain strains of black mold are toxic, potentially causing a variety of diseases of the respiratory, nervous and reproductive systems. Mold is usually not terribly hazardous, but it’s always unappealing and never an invited guest in your home. Fortunately, showing mold the door isn’t normally that difficult. Home mold removal can be as simple as basic cleaning of problem areas.

There are of course instances where the level of mold growth has advanced far beyond the expertise of the layperson and a professional will need to be called in when there is extensive growth of mold (especially toxic black mold) within the walls or the HVAC system of a home. Mold removal in these cases is a job for specialists. With that qualifier out of the way, let’s briefly look at a more typical mold removal scenario.

Most of the time, you’ll notice mold early on before it has had a chance to become well established and become more than a small surface growth. These are the easiest home mold removal jobs of all. For small and medium sized areas of mold, you’ll need the following:

• A spray bottle
• Chlorine bleach
• Sponges
• A bucket
• Rubber or latex gloves

Note: if you find bleach to be too harsh and would rather use something gentler, white vinegar may be used instead, though it is a less powerful disinfectant than bleach, so you’ll want to use a larger amount of vinegar. Vinegar can also irritate skin, so you’ll want to wear those gloves regardless.

These mold removal jobs are about as easy as it gets. Fill the spray bottle with a mixture of one part bleach to nine parts water and spray the affected area. This dampens the mold, preventing spores from being released into the air as you clean the area – and the bleach begins killing the mold and spores on contact.

You’ll also want to fill your bucket with cold (not hot – hot water causes bleach to break down, losing its effectiveness as a disinfectant) and a splash of bleach. It’s OK to make this solution a little on the strong side, since the idea is to kill the entire mold growth in one cleaning. Wear gloves – bleach can irritate and even burn sensitive skin and naturally, you don’t want to come in contact with the mold or its spores either. Wash the area thoroughly with bleach water and sponges and allow the area to dry, using a dehumidifier to speed drying and keep the room dry.

That’s really all there is to home mold removal provided the mold growth is confined to the surface and has not spread to a large area. If you keep an eye out for the signs of mold growth in your home, keep pipes and other potentially leaky areas well maintained and deny mold the conditions it needs to thrive, mold should be something you can take care of on your own.