This list can consist of the following items:
UPHOLSTERY ITEMS
Fortunately, not all hope is lost when attempting to salvage upholstery items that have visible mold growth. Upholstery items can consist of sofas, armchairs or any form of soft padded textile covering that is attached to the furniture. All that is needed are the right tools. This process is inexpensive and not time-consuming.
FURNITURE
Removing mold growth from furniture is another task in this process of redeeming your belongings. Furniture can be a broader term in regards to the specific material one may face in treating mildew. Within a home, furniture can consist of various forms of material (wood, vinyl, metal, etc.).
Be careful to use products that are suitable for the type of material the furniture is, in order not to further damage the product.
Another factor to consider is the degree of mold that is apparent. Meaning is there a light amount of mildew that can be easily removed? Or is the mildew displaying a level of stubbornness to discard? Both consist of different approaches to remove.
Light Mold on Wood
Your next step consists of the same process as the upholstery items, use the HEPA vacuum cleaner to remove any loose spars of mildew. Once complete follow the same discarding technique as mentioned above.
Mildew carries bacteria and germs, so you will want to make sure you clean inside, as well as outside of the wooden furniture piece. Do so with either of the three cleaning agents; vinegar, Murphy’s Oil Wood Soap, or any Anti-Fungal Detergents. Wipe the wooden furniture with a sponge thoroughly, if there are hard to reach spots use a toothbrush. Be sure to pull all doors and drawers completely out. You want to be thorough with your cleaning. Once this process is done. Let the furniture dry in the sun for a couple of hours.
Repeat this process for two days if necessary.
Note that if your wooden furniture piece is painted or stained, it is not likely for the mold to have penetrated below the surface. In such situations, mild cleansers should work.
Stubborn Mold on Wood
Unlike the light removal of mildew from wood, the stubborn mold on wooden furniture requires some effort. In a bucket, create the following cleaning solution:
¼ cup of dish soap
2 ½ cups of bleach
5 cups of water
Stir the mixture with a utensil to evenly distribute the ingredients. Use a soft-bristle brush or a sponge (keep in mind the bleach will dye material or clothing) and wipe the furniture in a circular motion, with moderate pressure. If you choose to use a soft bristle brush be sure to test it in one section of the furniture to ensure it does not damage the finish. Once the furniture has been thoroughly cleaned, let it stand to dry in the sun.
If you lightly sanded in more than one area, you may have to refinish the wooden furniture piece when there is no more detection of mold growth.
Vinyl Mold Cleaning
The great advantage of vinyl is it is one of the most durable and easiest to clean material on the market. If your vinyl has remnants of mildew the first process of cleaning is attempting to remove with a simple cleaning solution of dish soap and warm water. Typically this will remove the mildew; however, if this does not work then creating the cleaning solution of 2 cups of hot water, 2 tablespoons of white vinegar, and one teaspoon of borax powder into a spray bottle and spritz the vinyl material. Let stand for thirty minutes to work into the mildew. After, wipe clean with a soft cloth.
If there is still mold remaining, apply undiluted chlorine bleach to the area and gently scrub the infected area. This should get rid of the stubborn mildew on the vinyl.
Mold on Metal
Mold can appear on metal furniture within your homes such as the bed frame, headboard, and footboard, industrial shelving in garage, etc. To get rid of the mold on metal, it can be removed by simply filling a two-gallon bucket with warm water and adding detergent. The detergent can be laundry or dish soap. Use a sponge or rag to wipe the area. Be sure to refresh your sponge or rag if you are cleaning a large area. This will decrease the chances of spreading mold spores.
RUGS
Salvaging your rug from mildew requires several items:
Water hose
Liquid dish soap
White vinegar
5-gallon bucket
Wood spoon
Plastic tarp
Scrub brush
Like all items, take your rug outside to a well-ventilated area to be cleaned. Start by rinsing your rug outside with the water hose on a sunny day. Mix the cleaning solution of 1 gallon of warm water and ¼ cup of dish soap and 2 cups of white vinegar to the 5-gallon bucket. Use the wooden spoon to mix the cleaning solution together.
Lay a plastic tarp down and place your rug on top. Saturate the rug with the cleaning solution and with the scrubbing brush scrub gently towards the nap of the rug. Continue this process until the mold is removed completely. Rinse the rug with fresh water. Once complete, flip the rug over and complete the process on the other side. Allow the rug to dry on one side thoroughly than turn over. Repeat on the other side of the rug. Hang to ensure it’s entirely dry.
CURTAINS
For the removal of mildew from conventional curtains in the living room and bedroom, carefully remove the curtains and place them in a bucket filled with warm water. Add 4 cups of salt (not iodized salt) to the warm water and allow the curtains to sit overnight.
Remove the curtains from the water and let stand on a clothing line in the sun. Do not rinse. The salt will crystallize with the mold. Next, you will simply brush the mold off.
BEDDING
When mildew is detected on your sheets or blankets, simply laundering it will not stop the process of mildew spores. To get rid of mold in your sheets and blankets, complete the process for each item separately. Place the sheets in your washing machine with hot water. For every quart of water, add 2 tablespoons of bleach per quart of water.
Allow the sheets to soak in the hot water and bleach for fifteen minutes, then commence the washing machine process with your regular laundry detergent. Continue this same process with your bedding.
If your sheets or bedding is colored, use color-safe bleach with sodium perborate and add 1 pint of hot water to create your cleaning solution. Sponge the solution on the parts of the sheet where mildew is present. Let stand for thirty minutes. Then rinse with warm water and place in the washing machine with regular laundry detergent. You can either hang dry or dry in your drying machine.
KITCHEN UTENSILS
When cleaning kitchen utensils that have come into contact with floodwater. Take precaution that the water, in which your kitchen utensils came into contact with is contaminated. With that, discard of any wooden cutting boards and spoons. Discard of plastic eating utensils, baby bottles, nipples, and pacifiers. Only keep the metal and ceramic pans, utensils, and dishes.
To thoroughly cleanse these, place in hot soapy water and sanitize by boiling. Another alternative is letting the dishes stand in water that has 1 tsp. of bleach added for fifteen minutes.
FLOOD DAMAGE RESTORATION
These flood damage guidelines are to enlighten and aid you from feeling completely discouraged. Although work is required, it is not impossible to remove the presence of mold spores from your home or business. Titan Restoration is adamant in securing the safety of your home and business. As a company, we are here to lend a hand and get you back to your normal function of living.
It is the peace of mind in knowing that Arizona’s Leading Water Damage Experts will ensure safety with professionalism and integrity. No matter the size or scope, your restoration services are in professional and knowledgeable hands. Dealing with the effects of mold is a hazardous and meticulous process.
If you are facing a mold problem, contact us to be your mold removal experts so that you can breathe easier.
Or – Give us a call: 480-649-5050
