How to Clean Black Mold

Co-authored by NW Maids

Last Updated: March 21, 2023 References Approved

Black mold appears in damp, dark areas, and can spread quickly if not taken care of. Luckily, you can clean it with cleansing detergents, such as borax or bleach, or natural solutions, such as white vinegar or tea tree oil. Wear protective gloves and goggles when cleaning the mold, and throw out any items that are completely contaminated. In extreme cases, you may have to call a professional to evaluate and eliminate the black mold.

Things You Should Know

Mold can be a nasty surprise, but there's a good chance you have what you need to clean it lying around your home already:

If you have borax, use it to remove mold from tile, glass, and wood.
If you have laundry detergent, make a scrub to remove mold from nonporous surfaces.
If you have ammonia, make a spray to remove mold on glass and tile.
If you have bleach, use it to clean tough mold on nonporous surfaces.
If you have hydrogen peroxide, use it as a nontoxic cleaner.
If you have tea tree oil, make a spray to use as a natural fungicide.
If you have vinegar, use it as a cheap and effective mold cleaner.
If you have baking soda, you can clean both porous and nonporous surfaces.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Cleaning Products

1
Kill mold with borax. Borax is an inexpensive product you can buy in the laundry aisle at most supermarkets. It works on nonporous surfaces such as tile and glass and also on wood and other porous surfaces (as long as they won't be damaged by excessive moisture). Start by vacuuming up any lose mold with a HEPA filtered vacuum so the spores don't get spread throughout the room. Next, clean up the mold by following these steps:^{[1]
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- Mix 1 cup of borax with 1 gallon (3.8 L) of water.
- Dip a scrub brush in the solution and use it to scrub away the black mold.
- Wipe the area clean of mold.
- Don't rinse the area, since the borax will prevent the spores from growing again.
2
Remove mold with detergent. This method is effective on glass, tile and other nonporous surfaces. It doesn't kill the mold, but mixing soap and water and using it to scrub the mold away is just as effective on nonporous surfaces.^{[2]
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Trustworthy Source
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Independent U.S. government agency responsible for promoting safe environmental practices
Go to source}
- Mix 1 cup detergent (such as laundry detergent) and a gallon of water.
- Use a scrub brush to apply the solution to the moldy area and scrub the mold away.
- Rinse the area when you're finished.
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3
Kill mold with clear ammonia. Clear ammonia is an effective tool for killing mold, but it is a toxic cleaning product that should be used sparingly. Use ammonia to kill the toughest mold on glass and tile. It's not effective on wood and other porous surfaces.
- Make a solution of 2 cups water and 2 cups clear ammonia and place it in a spray bottle.
- Spray it over the moldy area.
- Let it sit for at least 2 hours.
- Wipe and rinse the area clean.
4
Kill mold with bleach. This is an effective method for getting rid of black mold on nonporous surfaces like tile and glass, as long as you aren't concerned that they'll get damaged. Since bleach produces toxic fumes, you'll want to make sure the area is well ventilated. Open the windows and wear gloves to protect your hands. Here's what to do:
- Mix 1 cup of bleach and 1 gallon (3.8 L) of water.
- Use a spray bottle or a bucket and sponge to apply the bleach mixture to the area with black mold.
- Let the bleach sit on the mold for an hour. You can wipe it away later if that is your preference, but this isn't necessary.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Natural Methods

1
Kill mold with hydrogen peroxide. This is effective on all types of surfaces, and it's completely nontoxic. Pick up a big bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide from the drugstore, then do the following:
- Fill a spray bottle with 3% hydrogen peroxide.
- Spray the moldy area.
- Let it sit for 20 minutes.
- Wipe the surface clean.
2
Kill mold with tea tree oil. You can use this spray on all kinds of surfaces. It's completely nontoxic and natural, and it kills black mold effectively, as it's a natural fungicide.^{[3]
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Trustworthy Source
PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source}
- Mix 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil and 2 cups of water.
- Pour the solution into a spray bottle.
- Saturate the moldy area.
- Don't bother wiping the area, since leaving the tea tree oil there will prevent spores from growing.
3
Kill mold with grapefruit seed extract. This is another completely natural method for killing mold, and it's odorless, too.
- Mix 20 drops of grapefruit seed extract with 2 cups water.
- Pour the solution into a spray bottle.
- Saturate the moldy area.
- Leave the solution on the area to prevent spores from growing.
4
Kill mold with white vinegar. Concentrated white vinegar can be used for heavy mold spots, while a diluted half vinegar/half water solution can be used for lighter moldy areas. Vinegar is a good solution for mold on any type of surface, including carpeting and wood.^{[4]
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Expert Source

NW Maids
House Cleaning Service
Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.}
- Pour vinegar or vinegar solution into a spray bottle.
- Saturate the moldy area.^{[5]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  NW Maids
  House Cleaning Service
  Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.}
- Let it dry on the moldy area to kill the mold. Or you can leave it for 30 minutes and then wipe it clean.^{[6]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  NW Maids
  House Cleaning Service
  Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.}
5
Use baking soda to kill mold. This is another effective, natural solution for all types of surfaces, both porous and nonporous.
- Add a ¼ teaspoon baking soda to 2 cups of water.
- Pour the solution into a spray bottle.
- Spray the moldy area and scrub it with a brush.
- Rinse the area.
- Treat the area again with the baking soda solution to prevent mold from returning.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Getting Rid of a Larger Mold Problem

1
Search for mold in hidden areas. Sometimes it can be found behind drywall, inside door frames, or under sinks. Some signs of hidden black mold include strong odor, warped boards, or discolored ceilings.
2
Replace items that are covered with mold. In some cases cleaning the mold isn't going to eliminate the problem and you might need to replace the contaminated material. Assess the damage and determine whether to replace any or all of the following that may be infused with mold spores:^{[7]
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- Bath tile
- Carpeting and other flooring
- Floorboards
- Ceilings
3
Seal off the moldy room. This will contain the black mold spores so that they do not travel through the air into different areas of the house. Shut doors tightly and use plastic and tape to cover vents, doorways and any areas where air can escape.^{[8]
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- The only exception to this is to use an exhaust fan aimed directly out a window so black mold spores floating around the room are pushed outside.
4
Protect yourself around the mold. Wear a dust mask, clothing or a cover up that can be easily removed and washed or even disposed of. Wear rubber gloves and goggles to protect your eyes so the mold never comes in contact with your body.^{[9]
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5
Keep dust and debris in a small area. When you remove any items with black mold, bag the affected objects as soon as you can. This will keep the black mold spores from spreading in the air.^{[10]
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6
Call a professional mold remover if your black mold problem is extensive. Experts recommend that you have black mold professionally removed if it is scattered in areas greater than a 10-square-foot section. At this point it won't be possible to keep the mold at bay using household products.^{[11]
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Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}
- Black mold is especially dangerous. If it gets into your lungs, it can really lead to some nasty health problems. Don’t try to tackle black mold on your own.^{[12]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Fabricio Ferraz
  House Cleaning Professional
  Expert Interview. 16 August 2019.}
7
Remove water sources that feed mold to prevent it from returning. Fix leaky pipes, add better ventilation to a humid bathroom, or install a dehumidifier to a damp basement. Dry out the rooms you find mold in to prevent additional mold from forming.^{[13]
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Expert Q&A

Question

Does ammonia kill mold?

Fabricio Ferraz
House Cleaning Professional
Fabricio Ferraz is the Co-Owner and Operator of Hire a Cleaning. Hire a Cleaning is a family owned and operated business that has been serving San Francisco, California homes for over 10 years.

Fabricio Ferraz

House Cleaning Professional

Expert Answer

It does, but ammonia isn't necessarily the safest or most efficient choice out there. There are specialized cleaners, like concrobium, which do a much better job at killing mold.
Question

Can you clean black mold yourself?

Fabricio Ferraz
House Cleaning Professional
Fabricio Ferraz is the Co-Owner and Operator of Hire a Cleaning. Hire a Cleaning is a family owned and operated business that has been serving San Francisco, California homes for over 10 years.

Fabricio Ferraz

House Cleaning Professional

Expert Answer

You theoretically could, but I genuinely wouldn't recommend it. Black mold is especially dangerous, and it's much better to leave this one to the professionals if you can.
Question

How do I know if I have black mold?

Fabricio Ferraz
House Cleaning Professional
Fabricio Ferraz is the Co-Owner and Operator of Hire a Cleaning. Hire a Cleaning is a family owned and operated business that has been serving San Francisco, California homes for over 10 years.

Fabricio Ferraz

House Cleaning Professional

Expert Answer

The color will clue you in. Black mold is literally black, although it may appear to be a slightly different color depending on how much light you shine on it.

Warnings

Keep tea tree oil away from household pets, as it is toxic to dogs and cats.

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Some household objects with porous surfaces, such as carpets and window treatments, may be impossible to clean. You should replace these to prevent mold spores from spreading in the future.

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When throwing out carpets, tiles, boards or other materials that have black mold on them, be sure to place them in heavy-duty trash bags. Double bagging the items can help even more. Do not carry the bags through the house; instead, toss them out a window so there is no chance of spreading black mold spores to any other areas of the house.

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