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Re-activateHomeowners looking for guidance on how to clean up mold won't find easy answers on government websites. The Environmental Protection Agency, for starters, has been wishy-washy on the question of whether or not it's safe to use chlorine bleach. On one hand the agency recommends using just water and detergent to attack mold but then it doesn't rule out the use of bleach or other biocides that can be unsafe if used improperly.
The answer from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is a bit clearer, especially in the case of mold caused by flood waters. For those incidents, OSHA recommends using a mixture of ½ cup of bleach mixed into a gallon of water. "Because floodwaters are likely to be contaminated with human and animal waste, OSHA recommends the use of bleach, but only in situations where there is a light covering of mold, and only after the area is cleaned with soap and water," says OSHA spokesman Richard DeAngelis.
To sum it up, if your mold problem is small and caused by leaks or dampness, it's safest to remove it with just soap and water. But if the mold outbreak covers a large area and was caused by highly polluted water, your best bet is to consult a professional mold remediation service. You should also consult an expert if people who live in your home have health issues or are immune suppressed.
Of course, the best way to get rid of mold is to find the source of the moisture that's causing it and get that under control. If you get rid of the mold but not the moisture, it just comes back.
For more on mold, read our report on Cleaning up mold and consult the websites of the EPA, OSHA and the Centers for Disease Control.
—Reporting by Gian Trotta
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