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How do I Repair Mold Damage?

Dana Hinders
Dana Hinders
Dana Hinders
Dana Hinders

Whether it's from high humidity, flooding, or a plumbing leak, dealing with mold damage is no fun. Mold is a type of fungus with spores that are always present in the air, even in the cleanest of homes. When conditions are right, however, these spores can attach to household surfaces and form musty smelling white, brown, blue, green, black, red, or orange colonies. If mold damage repair does not begin within 48 hours, mold can spread very quickly throughout your home.

When repairing mold damage, safety should be a top priority. Mold can cause many health problems, especially for those with allergies, asthma, or weakened immune systems. Wear gloves, goggles, and a cotton face mask when repairing mold damage. Make sure the area is properly ventilated when cleaning with bleach or other harsh chemicals.

Safety goggles and a face mask should be worn when repairing mold damage.
Safety goggles and a face mask should be worn when repairing mold damage.

The easiest surfaces to repair after a mold infestation are wood, metal, plastic, glass, and ceramic. Most types of mold can be removed by scrubbing these surfaces with a solution made from one gallon water (3.78 liters) per one cup (240 milliliters) of chlorine bleach and rinsing thoroughly. Applying a solution that contains a borate-based laundry or dishwasher detergent to the surface will help keep the mold from growing back, as long as the solution is left on the surface.

A bleach and water solution can be an important part of getting rid of mold.
A bleach and water solution can be an important part of getting rid of mold.

Clothing, curtains, bed linens, and other fabric items can be washed with detergent and hot water to kill mold. For painted items, keep in mind that you can't simply paint over top of the mold. The mold will continue to grow under the paint and will cause the paint to peel.

As a general rule, it's very hard to repair mold damage to items that absorb water but are not washable. This includes beds, sofas, chairs, and other types of upholstered furniture. You can try to dry out the item in a separate area of your home, then vacuum it well to see if it has any noticeable odor. However, keep in mind that the mold may still return.

Repairing mold damage might include replacing leaky bathroom fixtures.
Repairing mold damage might include replacing leaky bathroom fixtures.

While it's often possible to repair mold damage on your own, it's a good idea to know when you'd be better off enlisting the help of a professional. If you're trying to clean mold from items that are very valuable, such as antique rugs or paintings, you may not want to risk further damaging the items by attempting the restoration yourself. When the mold is in hidden places or if sewage contamination is a concern, a professional cleaning service is a wise investment for safety reasons alone.

Dana Hinders
Dana Hinders

Dana holds a B.A. in journalism and mass communication from the University of Iowa. She has loved being part of the WiseGEEK team ever since discovering the joys of freelance writing after her son was born. Dana also hones her writing skills by contributing articles to various blogs, as well as creating sales copy and content for e-courses.

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Dana Hinders
Dana Hinders

Dana holds a B.A. in journalism and mass communication from the University of Iowa. She has loved being part of the WiseGEEK team ever since discovering the joys of freelance writing after her son was born. Dana also hones her writing skills by contributing articles to various blogs, as well as creating sales copy and content for e-courses.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon293382

Thanks for the tips. I keep telling my sister she needs to fix her water damage in Salt Lake City, Utah so that it doesn't mold and cause other problems.

EarlyForest

@StreamFinder -- When my parents' house flooded, they had really bad mold damage in their home and on their furniture -- sofas, chairs, etc.

They just had to get rid of it all, since the damage was so bad.

I think though, that if the damage was just spotting, that you might be able to do something about it.

I'm not sure though -- you may want to check into a company that does mold damage restoration, they could tell you how much it would cost to fix your furniture, or if you should just bin it.

StreamFinder

What about mold from water damage? Is there any really good way to deal with water damage and mold on furniture, or do I just need to get rid of it and buy new things?

zenmaster

Does homeowners insurance cover mold damage?

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    • Safety goggles and a face mask should be worn when repairing mold damage.
      By: Andrzej Solnica
      Safety goggles and a face mask should be worn when repairing mold damage.
    • A bleach and water solution can be an important part of getting rid of mold.
      By: design56
      A bleach and water solution can be an important part of getting rid of mold.
    • Repairing mold damage might include replacing leaky bathroom fixtures.
      By: askthegeek
      Repairing mold damage might include replacing leaky bathroom fixtures.
    • A certified inspector can pinpoint which types of mold are present at a home or business.
      By: johny87
      A certified inspector can pinpoint which types of mold are present at a home or business.
    • Mold damage might be caused by a leaky dishwasher.
      By: mitev
      Mold damage might be caused by a leaky dishwasher.