Mold that grows in the house should not be overlooked.
Last updated: 3 Aug 2025
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Once the floodwaters recede, one problem that arises is mold. This not only damages homes, but can also affect the health of residents, particularly those with asthma, allergies, or respiratory diseases, as well as those with weakened immune systems, such as those undergoing chemotherapy and immunodeficiency, who may be allergic and susceptible to mold infections. Therefore, to prevent and eliminate mold problems, clean your home within 24-48 hours after the water recedes.
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Resolving Mold Problems in the Home
1. Prepare Yourself
Do not allow people with allergies, asthma, respiratory diseases, children, or those with weakened immune systems to return home until the water has been cleaned.
Dress appropriately: wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, rubber gloves, rubber shoes, waterproof overalls, a hair cover, eyeglasses, and a mask.
For eyeglasses, choose a type that fits snugly against the face and has no ventilation holes. In areas where mold is common, use an N-95 mask that fits properly to prevent inhalation of germs and mold (available at pharmacies and medical centers). Dust masks and handkerchiefs do not protect against mold. Because mold spores are very small,
Open windows and doors to ventilate and remove moisture from the house for at least 30 minutes before entering. Also, open windows and doors to allow for good ventilation while cleaning.
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2. Prepare cleaning supplies, including a scrub brush, cleaning solution, and disinfectant. These can be purchased ready-made or easily made at home.
Homemade fungicides include:
Vinegar is a mild fungicide that can kill approximately 80% of mold but not spores. It can be used in fermented or distilled form, with a concentration of at least 7%. Spray and leave for 5-10 minutes, then wipe off.
Chlorine bleach containing 6% sodium hypochlorite is a concentrated fungicide readily available. It must be diluted with water before use (re-mixed before each use, as the solution degrades quickly). Caution: Never mix chlorine solution with ammonia or with acidic substances. This can produce a variety of toxic gases, such as chloramines and chlorine gas, which can be fatal to the respiratory system, mucous membranes of the eyes, esophagus, and bronchial tubes, and can even lead to death.
Inspect your home.
Inspect flooded areas for mold growth, especially in basements, kitchens, and bathrooms. This includes ceilings, walls, floors, window sills, leaking pipes, under carpets, under and behind furniture, and under wallpaper.
Mold can be observed visually, typically as stains on walls or as circular clusters. Mold can come in a variety of colors, depending on the type of mold, such as black, brown, green, red, yellow, and white. Smells can also indicate a musty or earthy odor.
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3. Discard items found to be moldy and cannot be cleaned.
If items or furnishings have been wet for more than 48 hours, especially porous materials and items that are difficult to clean or dry, such as carpets, mattresses, upholstery, wallpaper, leather products, paper, wood, pillows, and stuffed animals, they should be discarded in a plastic bag and tightly sealed to prevent the spread of mold.
Molded wallpaper and walls should be completely removed. Clean with a hard brush and disinfectant. Wallpaper or paint should not be applied, as these can harbor germs and pose long-term health risks.
__________________________________________
4. Clean and remove mold.
Clean floors, walls, ceilings, and contaminated surfaces with soap and water or dishwashing liquid. Scrub to remove all dirt and grime. Areas requiring extra cleaning include the kitchen, food shelves, and areas where children live.
Remove mold on hard surfaces such as floors, stoves, sinks, children's toys, tableware, dishes, tabletops, and other equipment by cleaning with 1 cup (240 ml) bleach diluted with 1 gallon (3.8 liters) of clean water. If the surface is rough, use a stiff brush to scrub and then rinse the surface with clean water. (See more information on bleach-to-water ratios and steps for cleaning your home and appliances.)
If the surface to be cleaned is dry and mold appears to be swollen, wipe it with a damp, strong paper towel. Wiping with a dry cloth or paper towel can further disperse mold spores. Wiping should be done in one direction, such as up and down or left and right, and then discard the paper. Do not wipe back and forth, as this can contaminate the area where the mold was removed. Then, wipe with soapy water.
Contaminated clothing or items made from fabrics, such as curtains and blankets, should be washed separately from regular clothing. After washing, boil them to sterilize them and dry them in the sun before using.
During cleaning, open doors and windows to ventilate. Do not turn on the air conditioner or fan to prevent the spread of mold.
__________________________________________
5. Dry and Control Humidity
After cleaning and removing mold, use a fan to thoroughly dry the house and other equipment.
If there are any water leaks inside the house, such as on the roof or walls, they must be fixed immediately, as humidity is a major cause of mold growth.
Prevent mold from becoming damp inside the house. A humidity level of 40-60% is not recommended. Always check areas where mold was previously found and areas that are damp to prevent mold from reoccurring.
__________________________________________
Precautions for Mold Removal
1. Dress appropriately and wear the provided cleaning clothes.
2. Open windows and doors to allow air and sunlight to circulate.
3. Wash the clothes worn during cleaning separately with hot water and detergent. Dispose of used masks and waste from cleaning in a plastic bag and seal it tightly.
4. If anyone in the family experiences any unusual symptoms, such as a stuffy nose, eye irritation, watery eyes, sore throat, cough, wheezing, headache, or a skin or scalp rash, see a doctor immediately.
__________________________________________
Thank you for the great information from REIC.
__________________________________________
Resolving Mold Problems in the Home
1. Prepare Yourself
Do not allow people with allergies, asthma, respiratory diseases, children, or those with weakened immune systems to return home until the water has been cleaned.
Dress appropriately: wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, rubber gloves, rubber shoes, waterproof overalls, a hair cover, eyeglasses, and a mask.
For eyeglasses, choose a type that fits snugly against the face and has no ventilation holes. In areas where mold is common, use an N-95 mask that fits properly to prevent inhalation of germs and mold (available at pharmacies and medical centers). Dust masks and handkerchiefs do not protect against mold. Because mold spores are very small,
Open windows and doors to ventilate and remove moisture from the house for at least 30 minutes before entering. Also, open windows and doors to allow for good ventilation while cleaning.
__________________________________________
2. Prepare cleaning supplies, including a scrub brush, cleaning solution, and disinfectant. These can be purchased ready-made or easily made at home.
Homemade fungicides include:
Vinegar is a mild fungicide that can kill approximately 80% of mold but not spores. It can be used in fermented or distilled form, with a concentration of at least 7%. Spray and leave for 5-10 minutes, then wipe off.
Chlorine bleach containing 6% sodium hypochlorite is a concentrated fungicide readily available. It must be diluted with water before use (re-mixed before each use, as the solution degrades quickly). Caution: Never mix chlorine solution with ammonia or with acidic substances. This can produce a variety of toxic gases, such as chloramines and chlorine gas, which can be fatal to the respiratory system, mucous membranes of the eyes, esophagus, and bronchial tubes, and can even lead to death.
Inspect your home.
Inspect flooded areas for mold growth, especially in basements, kitchens, and bathrooms. This includes ceilings, walls, floors, window sills, leaking pipes, under carpets, under and behind furniture, and under wallpaper.
Mold can be observed visually, typically as stains on walls or as circular clusters. Mold can come in a variety of colors, depending on the type of mold, such as black, brown, green, red, yellow, and white. Smells can also indicate a musty or earthy odor.
__________________________________________
3. Discard items found to be moldy and cannot be cleaned.
If items or furnishings have been wet for more than 48 hours, especially porous materials and items that are difficult to clean or dry, such as carpets, mattresses, upholstery, wallpaper, leather products, paper, wood, pillows, and stuffed animals, they should be discarded in a plastic bag and tightly sealed to prevent the spread of mold.
Molded wallpaper and walls should be completely removed. Clean with a hard brush and disinfectant. Wallpaper or paint should not be applied, as these can harbor germs and pose long-term health risks.
__________________________________________
4. Clean and remove mold.
Clean floors, walls, ceilings, and contaminated surfaces with soap and water or dishwashing liquid. Scrub to remove all dirt and grime. Areas requiring extra cleaning include the kitchen, food shelves, and areas where children live.
Remove mold on hard surfaces such as floors, stoves, sinks, children's toys, tableware, dishes, tabletops, and other equipment by cleaning with 1 cup (240 ml) bleach diluted with 1 gallon (3.8 liters) of clean water. If the surface is rough, use a stiff brush to scrub and then rinse the surface with clean water. (See more information on bleach-to-water ratios and steps for cleaning your home and appliances.)
If the surface to be cleaned is dry and mold appears to be swollen, wipe it with a damp, strong paper towel. Wiping with a dry cloth or paper towel can further disperse mold spores. Wiping should be done in one direction, such as up and down or left and right, and then discard the paper. Do not wipe back and forth, as this can contaminate the area where the mold was removed. Then, wipe with soapy water.
Contaminated clothing or items made from fabrics, such as curtains and blankets, should be washed separately from regular clothing. After washing, boil them to sterilize them and dry them in the sun before using.
During cleaning, open doors and windows to ventilate. Do not turn on the air conditioner or fan to prevent the spread of mold.
__________________________________________
5. Dry and Control Humidity
After cleaning and removing mold, use a fan to thoroughly dry the house and other equipment.
If there are any water leaks inside the house, such as on the roof or walls, they must be fixed immediately, as humidity is a major cause of mold growth.
Prevent mold from becoming damp inside the house. A humidity level of 40-60% is not recommended. Always check areas where mold was previously found and areas that are damp to prevent mold from reoccurring.
__________________________________________
Precautions for Mold Removal
1. Dress appropriately and wear the provided cleaning clothes.
2. Open windows and doors to allow air and sunlight to circulate.
3. Wash the clothes worn during cleaning separately with hot water and detergent. Dispose of used masks and waste from cleaning in a plastic bag and seal it tightly.
4. If anyone in the family experiences any unusual symptoms, such as a stuffy nose, eye irritation, watery eyes, sore throat, cough, wheezing, headache, or a skin or scalp rash, see a doctor immediately.
__________________________________________
Thank you for the great information from REIC.
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