How do you kill mold an mildew?
Question:
Answers:
bleach
Check out nzmold.com. It gives you an alternative to the bleach and other chemicals that are harmful.
THE MOST EFFECTIVE METHOD TO GET RID OF VISIBLE MOLD IS BY REMOVING THE AFFECTED AREA.
Air Drying
Air drying of damp, moldy items will inactivate the spores, though it should be done in an area that is vented to the outside or isolated, to prevent the spreading of spores.
Ultra-violet light
U-V light inhibits growth and may actually kill it. It is not, however, recommended as a full-scale treatment on books and papers because the amount of exposure necessary for removing the containment would induce fading and accelerate aging. However, it has been suggested as a possible step in treating small, localized outbreaks. Place the book or document outdoors, fanned open, in the sun, for no longer than 30 minutes. Follow up with cleaning. Do not leave books and papers outside overnight, as temperature changes may cause condensation to form. If the book is placed back into a suitable environment, the combination of removing the visible mold and allowing the book to dry out in the sun may halt the further growth and spread. Books should not be placed outdoors if the relative humidity is above 65%. This process needs careful and continued monitoring, and may not be feasible for an outbreak affecting a large quantity of material.
Cleaning the Storage Area
Begin by vacuuming the area. Then, shelves, floors, walls, ceilings, and windows should be cleaned with a mildew killing solution, such as Sporex, sold on this site. Make sure the area is properly ventilated while cleaning. It may also be necessary, depending upon how serious the infestation is, to remove and clean carpets and drapery. Ducts, filters and heat-exchange coils in HVAC systems should be checked and replaced or cleaned with a mildew killing household cleaner. Some type of air purifier should also be introduced into the area.
Odor removal. Charcoal and/or baking soda can be used to remove the moldy odors, if the treatment has not done so. Simply place briquettes and/or bowls of baking soda in the area to absorb the odor.
Monitoring. Continue to monitor the area after clean-up and recovery. Changes in the environment should have been made (either before or during treatment) to reduce the possibility of future outbreaks; i.e., humidity and temperature control established, air circulation improved, leaks fixed or other sources of moisture removed. Nonetheless, careful watch should be kept over treated collections to prevent new outbreaks. The websiteI quoted from here has some great pictures of products to be used.
For smaller areas...use products made for the purpose.
Do Not use Bleach!
Before purchasing a mold and mildew product, read and fully understand the advertised purpose of that product — and correctly follow the use instructions of a purchased product. The labeling claims on these new products can be confusing — some say their product is a mold and mildew remover while another says their product is a mildew stain remover and yet others make similar 'ambiguous' claims. Make double sure that the product satisfies your intended need on the surface to which it is to be applied. If your intention is to kill mold, make sure the product does exactly that and follow the directions for usage. Consumers may find that mixing their own diluted bleach solution will achieve the same results as any of the new mold and mildew products — keep in mind that the use of chlorine bleach is not for use on mold infected wood products including wall board, ceiling tiles, wall studs, fabric, paper products, etc.
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