8 Tips for Cleaning Up Post-Flooding Mold at Home

8 Tips for Cleaning Up Post-Flooding Mold at Home

Anja Peternelj

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has issued a guideline to identify and clean post-flooding mold that's especially helpful after the flooding that's occurred throughout Texas this past month.

According to FEMA, mold can start as soon as 24 hours following a flood and can find its way into basements, attics and crawl spaces.

The best way to eradicate mold in your home is to clean, dry and, if necessary, discard molded items.

Here are the top ways to take care of mold in your home.

For other tips about post-flooding cleanup, you can visit: www.fema.gov, www.epa.gov or www.cdc.gov.

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  • 1

    Porous Surfaces Need to be Thrown Away

    Wood, upholstery and other porous surfaces trap mold and need to be discarded.

  • 2

    Carpets Trap Mold

    Carpets hold onto mold, even after they dry. Carpets with mold and mildew need to be removed.

  • 3

    Glass, Plastic and Metal Can Be Cleaned

    Any non-porous surface can be cleaned, disinfected and reused.

  • 4

    Protect Yourself When Cleaning

    Wear rubber gloves, protective eye wear and open the windows for ventilation when you're cleaning molded items.

  • 5

    Disinfenct Items Properly

    When cleaning mold off items, make sure you use bleach (1/2 cup in one gallon of water) and non-ammonia cleaner or detergent.

  • 6

    Heat Fans and Dehumidifiers Help Speed Drying

    Cleaned areas can take several days to dry. Heat fans and dehumidifiers can speed this process us and help to thoroughly dry your items once they are clean.

  • 7

    Use Your Nose

    Check out all odors. Mold can hide behind walls and fixtures. Your nose knows. Investigate any odors that smell anything like mold or mildew.

  • 8

    Carefully Clean Walls and Wallboards

    Although most walls can be cleaned and disinfected, wallboard, fiberglass and cellulose can't be cleaned of mold. Once these items are removed, clean the wall studs and allow to dry thoroughly.

  • Bonus

    Have you seen Lubbock's Old Town Party House?

Categories: Health, Tips and Tricks, Weather

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