Reducing moisture in your home and keeping the humidity level low are two of the most important things you can do to prevent mold growth in your home. If you have indoor mold, however, it’s probably not that simple. Even if you keep the humidity at an ideal level, there are still plenty of ways for mold to grow inside your home.
You might have a leaking roof or plumbing, a broken window or some other source of moisture that needs fixing. Unfortunately, once you have indoor mold, it will likely come back unless you take the necessary precautions to prevent it from returning.
For many people, just the sight and smell of mould are enough to send them into panic mode. But fear not: It’s not as scary as it seems! To get rid of this sneaky microbe from your house once and for all, read on to learn how to clean mould and remove it from your home using a HEPA vacuum cleaner.
How to Clean Mold
If you see mold growing on a porous surface, like wood or fabric, you can easily clean the surface by washing it with soap and water. However, if the mold has grown on a nonporous surface, such as a wall or ceiling, you’ll need to apply bleach to kill the mold spores.
You can also use a mixture of distilled vinegar and water to clean and disinfect porous surfaces. Remember, however, that you should never mix bleach and vinegar, as this will create toxic fumes that can cause serious health issues.
Using a HEPA Vacuum to Remove Mold and Other Contaminants
If you’ve tried cleaning up the mould and you’ve already done everything that you can to keep the humidity levels low, you might need to remove the mouldy boards and replace them with new ones. You can do this by hiring a contractor or doing it yourself.
However, before you do that, you might want to first use a HEPA vacuum to remove the mould as well as other contaminants from the boards. A HEPA vacuum uses a disposable filter that has high efficiency for particle removal, capturing 99.97% of mould spores, dust mites, pollen, and other allergens from homes.
Step 1: Turn on the Ventilation System
If you’ve cleaned the surface with soap and water and you’ve pulled out the mouldy boards, you can now turn on the ventilation system. If you have central air conditioning, you can use a duct cleaner to clean the air ducts in your home. You can also use an air purifier to clean the indoor air. An air purifier is a great way to reduce the number of airborne contaminants in your home, including mold spores.
Step 2: Sweep Up the Dryer Lint Dust and Debris
You may have noticed that dryer lint dust and debris are common sources of mold. If you have a lot of lint dust and debris in your home, you can sweep it up using a broom. You can also vacuum it using a HEPA vacuum cleaner.
Step 3: Spray Disinfectant and Bleach (Only If Necessary)
If you’ve removed the boards and cleaned the surface with soap and water, and you’ve also turned on the ventilation system, you can now spray disinfectant and bleach. Remember, however, that it’s important to use only a detergent-based disinfectant, as bleach can cause damage to some surfaces.
Step 4: Rinse with Water
You can then rinse the surface with water to remove the excess bleach. Remember, however, that bleach will kill the mold but it won’t remove it.
Step 5: Conclusion
If you’ve cleaned the surface with soap and water, removed the boards, turned on the ventilation system, sprayed disinfectant and bleach, and rinsed the surface with water, you’ve pretty much-done everything that you can kill and remove the mold from the surface. With a little bit of elbow grease, you can easily get rid of the pesky microbe from your home.
Remember, however, that it’s important to prevent indoor mold from returning by keeping the humidity levels low. If you’ve followed these steps, you now know how to clean mold and remove it from your home using a HEPA vacuum. It’s not as scary as it sounds, right? With a few simple steps, you can easily keep mold out of your home and prevent it from coming back.
Other types of services from mould removal professionals
Once the specialist removalist has rid your building materials of mould, there are many other tasks that they can do for you. These may include:
- Flooding
- Mould prevention
- Air conditioning cleaning
- Mould inspections and reports
- Structure drying
How much does mold remediation typically cost?
Answer: In Australia, the average cost of mold removal in a small room ranges between $501 to $3,000. This estimate does not include the average mold inspection fee, which typically falls between $150 to $350. It’s worth noting that opting for a simple mop and bucket setup may not offer significant savings in the long term and could potentially cost more due to inadequate removal of mold and recurring issues.
| Mould removal service | Price guide | Mould removal service | Price guide |
| Small spaces | $50 – $100 | Mould inspection | $150 – $350 |
| Kitchens/bathrooms | $50 – $4,000 | Air sampling | $250 – $300 |
| Crawlspaces | $500 – $4,000 | Half the house | $350 – $3,000 |
| Entire house | $500 – $6,000 | Carpet cleaning (per hour) | $35 |
Average cost of mould removal based on Australian state or territory
| State / Territory | Average price |
| VIC | $31- 50$ |
| NSW | $30- 60$ |
| ACT | $37.50 |
| WA | $30- 40$ |
| QLD | $30 – 35$ |
| SA | $35- 45$ |
| TAS | $25- 30$ |
FAQs About Mold Remediation
How is black Mold removed in Australia?
Black mold, also known as Stachybotrys chartarum, should be removed with caution to prevent health risks. In Australia, the recommended approach for removing black mould involves:
- Assessment: Determine the extent of the mold growth and identify any underlying moisture issues that may have contributed to its growth.
- Safety Precautions: Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves, goggles, and a respirator, to protect against exposure to mold spores.
- Containment: Seal off the affected area to prevent the spread of mold spores to other parts of the property. This may involve using plastic sheeting and duct tape to create a containment barrier.
- Removal: Remove mold-infested materials, such as drywall, carpeting, and insulation, from the property. Thoroughly clean and disinfect non-porous surfaces using appropriate mold removal products recommended for use in Australia.
- Proper Disposal: Dispose of mold-infested materials per local regulations. This may involve bagging the materials securely and arranging for their disposal at a designated waste facility.
- Ventilation: Ensure adequate ventilation during the mold removal process to help dissipate mold spores and minimize exposure.
- Prevention: Address any underlying moisture issues, such as leaks or poor ventilation, to prevent future mold growth. Consider consulting with a qualified mold remediation professional for assistance with mold removal and prevention strategies.
It’s important to note that extensive mold infestations or cases involving significant water damage may require professional mold remediation services to ensure thorough removal and prevent health hazards.
How long does mold removal usually take?
Answer: Mold removal typically takes one day, depending on the size of the mold infestation in the property. This timeline allows for the safe removal of mold, enabling occupants to return to the property on the same day.