Category: Mold Odor Removal

5 Myths About Mold in Your Home

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myths about mold

No one wants to see mold growing in their home. Mold is unsightly. It can damage your foundation, and it can wreak havoc on the health of your household. But for all the negative effects of mold, there are several exaggerated and even completely false beliefs that should be pointed out. The professionals at RestoPros, the most trusted mold remediation company in Dallas, have collected five of the most common myths about residential mold.

Read the facts below and educate yourself before attempting to clean or diagnose a mold outbreak in your home.

Myth 1. Black Mold Is Deadly

There are over 20,000 different species of “black mold,” which is technically not even a scientific term. Black is simply the color of certain strains – and one of the least common colors of fungal growth. Stachybotrys, which is considered to be the most toxic strain of mold, can be any color depending on the surroundings. In most cases this toxic mold is a greenish-black color, but attempting to identify it by the color is futile. Aside from testing the mold directly, the only sure test for the toxicity of a mold in your home is a direct allergic reaction.

Myth 2. Bleach Kills All Mold

Bleach is the go-to product many people use to clean a mold outbreak. While it works well enough to “clean” mold off of a non-porous surface, bleach can irritate the skin and the fumes are dangerous if inhaled. Bleach is also not an ideal cleaner for porous surfaces – and can exacerbate the situation by seeping into wood, plasterboard, wall paper and other materials. Hydrogen peroxide and white vinegar are both preferred mold cleaners for mold growth on both porous and non-porous surfaces.

Myth 3. Mold Will Make You Sick

This is partly true, but not all mold will make you sick. In most cases, the person is suffering from an allergic reaction to the mold. The “toxic mold” mentioned above, which is rare, can cause all sorts of respiratory problems, chronic fatigue, eye irritation and rashes among other symptoms. Toxic mold can make you sick, while most common mold outbreaks are more likely to trigger allergy symptoms. Mold allergies can include sneezing, itching, running nose and throat irritation; basic allergy symptoms generally associated with seasonal allergies.

Myth 4. A Small Amount of Mold Is Not A Problem

If you notice mold anywhere in your home, you need to clean it immediately. Even a small amount can do damage to the surface area and will continue to spread. Sometimes mold will grow in an area that was left damp (usually places in the kitchen or bathroom). But mold on the ceiling or a wall might indicate a separate problem that also needs to be dealt with. Roof and plumbing leaks are major causes of mold – and until they are fixed, the growth with only return if cleaned.

Myth 5. Mold Remediation Is a DIY Project

If you are experiencing a serous mold outbreak, do not attempt to clean and eradicate the growth on your own. Mold that is the result of serious flooding or a major leak needs the attention of a professional remediation company. Mold can be an insidious intruder. It can ruin homes and greatly compromise the health and happiness of a household. Never attempt a DIY fix when dealing with a mold infestation. Trained experts can offer a full assessment (including diagnosing the root of the problem) and will have the latest equipment to deal with the growth. Experienced mold remediation technicians can also help file insurance claims to help cover the cost of the damages.

Now that you have a clearer understanding of these common “mold myths,” you can be better prepared to deal with an infestation. While the mere sight of mold in your home should not be cause for alarm, it is important that it is dealt with right away. If you discover widespread growth, do not hesitate to call the professionals at RestoPros. We can send someone out to assess the problem and offer solutions for all aspects of the problem. Call us at 855-587-3786 to schedule an appointment today!

DIY Mold-Cleaning Products

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diy mold-cleaning products

As a homeowner, you work hard to keep mold and mildew at bay. After all, they’re not only unsightly, they can also harm your indoor air quality, which can lead to health concerns like respiratory problems as well as irritation in the eyes, nose and throat. Mold thrives on moisture and can pop up quickly in a variety of places, including bathrooms, around window sills, in leaky pipes and wherever there’s wet carpet or fabric.

Unfortunately, mold and mildew don’t just disappear on their own; they’re stubborn and can only be removed using certain cleaning products. Store-bought cleaning products containing bleach are toxic to your health, and to make matters worse, they don’t actually remove mold or mildew fully. If you want to attack the problem head-on and eradicate mold from your home, try these three DIY mold cleaning solutions instead.

1. Vinegar & Water

When it comes to eradicating mold, distilled white vinegar works wonders. Simply combine one-part vinegar and one-part water into a spray bottle. Vinegar’s high acidity helps to clean mold and prevent future growth. It can also help get rid of lime mineral deposits and rust. With the fall season upon us, consider adding a few drops of cinnamon bark or ginger essential oils to your mixture.

2. Baking Soda & Water

Another non-toxic mold remedy is baking soda and water. Not only does it kill mold, it also prevents regrowth. Add one-quarter to one-half tablespoon of baking soda to a spray bottle containing water, and shake until dissolved. After you’ve sprayed the affected area, let sit for a few minutes. Then, using a bit of elbow grease, scrub the area until the mold is gone. Once you’ve removed the mold from the surface, rinse the area to get rid of any residue. To ensure the mold has been killed and to prevent future growth, spray the area again and let dry.

3. Hydrogen Peroxide

Your mom probably poured this solution on your cuts when you were a kid. That’s because it kills bacteria and viruses. It’s for this very same reason that it’s also great at removing mold. Simply pour 3% concentration hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle. Cover the entire area and let sit for at least ten minutes. Then, scrub the mold away and wash the area off with water and wipe it clean.

How to Prevent Mold & Mildew Growth

Cleaning mold and mildew is just part of the process. To prevent their return, you need to take certain measures. Here are five helpful tips:

  • Repair plumbing leaks in a timely manner.
  • Monitor your humidity levels and make sure they’re no higher than 50 percent. If necessary, use dehumidifiers throughout your home.
  • Keep your ventilation fan on while you shower or bathe, and afterwards, leave it on for at least another 30 minutes. If your bathroom doesn’t have an exhaust fan, we highly recommend installing one as soon as possible.
  • It doesn’t take long for your shower curtain to grow mold. Make sure to wash it frequently.
  • If water spills on carpet or fabrics, dry and clean it immediately.

When to DIY vs. Calling a Professional

When the presence of mold is minimal and contained, you can try your hand at DIY mold cleaning. However, if you’re not comfortable doing it yourself, or if you think the problem is too extensive to handle alone, leave the work to a professional. Serving Plano and Dallas, we are the mold remediation specialists, and our goal is to ensure your safety and peace of mind every step of the way. Not only do we offer fast response times (something that’s absolutely necessary for mold removal), we also use state-of-the-art equipment. No matter how big or small the problem is, rest assured we are here to lend a hand. Give us a call today at 855-587-3786.

 

How to Clean Mold in Your Fridge

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We’ve all had to dispose of moldy food before, but mold in your fridge is not as common. Mold infesting the walls or shelves of a refrigerator is never a pleasant experience, and removing it requires a different approach than simply tossing out bad food. Fortunately, cleaning mold in your fridge is fairly straightforward – provided you follow the necessary steps.

Don’t let your Dallas/Ft. Worth home be a victim to fridge mold. From the experts at RestoPros, here’s how clean mold in your fridge!

Create a Natural Mold Cleaner

To clean mold thoroughly, you’ll want to use two major components: white vinegar and baking soda. White distilled vinegar is a prominent mold killer, while baking soda is a natural deodorizer. Be careful not combine these two together however, as they are an acid and base. Doing so will cause a combustive chemical reaction and you’ll be spending extra time cleaning vinegar and baking soda off the floor.

Fill one spray bottle with undiluted vinegar. Vinegar will be used as the initial spray when cleaning mold. Fill a second spray bottle with baking soda and water. This solution will be used for scrubbing. Use about 1/4th tablespoon of baking soda for the entire bottle.

Remove All Items from the Fridge

Since you’re going to be cleaning with vinegar, you’ll want to avoid spraying any of your food. Also, you’re going to be cleaning enclosed spots and corners. Clear out the entirety of your fridge. Go ahead and throw out any moldy or old food you see. Food that is stained with mold or contaminated liquids should be discarded as well. Try organizing your food so that items close to expiring will be the last ones to put back in your fridge.

According to Foodsafety.gov, your fridge’s contents should stay fine for about 2 hours. However, if you’re worried about items such as fresh meat going bad, fill an ice cooler to hold them until you’re done.

Remove all Detachable Shelves and Drawers

Take out any removable shelves, drawers, and bins from your fridge. Vegetable and meat drawers will usually slide right out, while shelves may require a little positioning to release. Not all parts of a fridge are removable, so check their hinging to determine.

Clean Detachable Parts

Wash all your detached parts in the sink. Be sure to wear gloves before cleaning so you don’t get any mold on your hands! First spray the parts with vinegar and scrub with both soapy water and the baking soda solution. Rinse off and throw away any food residue or mold.

Mold can be persistent and could require more intensive scrubbing. Wipe thoroughly but carefully to avoid damaging glass. If mold has not been removed after the initial cleaning, spray the area with vinegar and let it sit for about 5 minutes. After, scrub it again with soap and baking soda.

Clean Fridge

Using the vinegar spray, cover your fridge’s interior. Be sure you get the walls, shelves, underside, and ceiling. Make sure vinegar is also sprayed along the gasket, or outer ring of the fridge. Let the vinegar sit for about 5 minutes.

Once the vinegar has had a few minutes to soak, scrub the interior using the baking soda solution and a washcloth. Give any mold spots an intensive scrub but be careful not to scratch the material. The baking soda solution will complement the vinegar’s cleaning properties while also neutralizing the smell of both the vinegar and mold.

Dry and Return All Parts and Food

Wipe your fridge with a dry cloth to dry it thoroughly. Mold thrives in moist environments, so you wouldn’t want to give it another home. Once your fridge is completely dried and has no more odor, you can return your items.

Completely dry detached parts before returning them to the fridge. After reattaching them, go ahead and refill your fridge with its original contents. As we described, organize your food placement to have items close to expiring at the front.

Place an Open Box of Baking Soda

After your fridge has been completely cleaned, you’ll want to place an open box of baking soda inside. As previously stated, baking soda is a natural deodorizer, and helps to eliminate any foul odors present in your fridge!

Bring your fridge back to freshness using our mold-cleaning guide. While it is important to know how to clean and combat mold in your fridge, Dallas/Ft. Worth homeowners should also know when to contact a mold professional. Mold infestations in homes can be destructive and sometimes require the help of experts such as RestoPros to fully clean and restore. If mold is in your home, call us at 855-587-3786 for our mold remediation services!

6 Spring Cleaning Tips for a Mold-Free Home

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As we begin the joyous season that is spring, thoughts turn to the spring cleaning process. While it’s an ideal time to freshen up the home for the summer, it is also a good time to take preventative measures to fight mold. Spring cleaning is the perfect vehicle to clean and protect critical areas of the home that are vulnerable to mold infestation.

RestoPros recommends every Dallas/Ft. Worth homeowner use their time during spring cleaning to fight mold. Use these tips below to prepare your home for the new season!

Create a Natural Mold Cleaner

  • Creating your own natural mold cleaner helps prevent spraying toxic chemicals and VOCs (volatile organic compounds) found in commercial mold cleaners.
  • Create a solution using equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle, as vinegar is a natural mold killer, as well as a RestoPros recommended mold-removal product.
  • A vinegar-water solution is efficient on both porous and solid surfaces, compared to bleach which cannot clean drywall properly.

Clean Behind Your Major Appliances

  • As we have described before, behind most major appliances lies a potential environment for mold growth and should be disinfected during spring cleaning.
  • Be sure to unplug your major appliances before cleaning behind them and keep the outlets away from any spray.
  • Using the water-vinegar solution, wipe away the stained areas behind your major appliances – and the back of each appliance as well.
  • When cleaning the back, be sure to avoid getting solution into an appliance’s interior, as this can potentially damage components.

Disinfect Your Cabinets

  • Whether you’re unloading a fresh dishwasher or simply forgot to dry some plates, your cabinet has seen its fair share of moisture.
  • Remove all the dinnerware from your cabinets and use the water-vinegar solution to scrub away the interior and exterior of your cabinets.
  • Scrub away any grease and deep stains with a sponge to fully eliminate bacteria.
  • Allow your cabinets ample time to dry before placing your dinnerware back.

Clean Your Vents

Scrub Your Mattress

  • Cleaning your mattress should be an important task during spring cleaning, as mold can easily grow if left unattended. In fact, there are 10 signs that signify mattress mold.
  • Vacuum away any initial debris and dust from all sides of your mattress.
  • Using cleaners such as hydrogen peroxide or dish soap, spray and scrub all areas of your mattress.
  • Once your mattress has been completely scrubbed, deodorize by lightly coating your mattress in baking soda, and giving it a few hours to cleanse.
  • After your mattress has been completely deodorized, brush off any excess cleaner, and give the mattress some time to fully dry before placing the cover back.

Kickstart spring with our spring cleaning tips and ensure your home stays mold-free throughout the year! Although we recommend cleaning your home as much as possible, do not hesitate contacting mold-removal experts when you notice a mold infestation. RestoPros provides the leading mold remediation services for Dallas/Ft. Worth homeowners and is your trusted resource when mold growth is present in your home. Give us a call at 855-587-3786 to schedule an appointment.

5 Signs You Need New Carpet

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You always want the best for your home, and sometimes that means replacing your old carpet. Regardless of how much you clean and maintain it, your carpet will eventually reach the end of its usefulness. However, with carpet, it isn’t always immediately evident when this has occurred. Sometimes an older carpet might not exhibit any signs of wear yet may be hiding years of mold growth or other contaminants underneath. While figuring out whether or not you need to retire your carpet might be difficult, the professionals at RestoPros are here to guide you!

Every Dallas/Ft. Worth homeowner should mindful of when their carpet needs to be replaced. There are a few common signs that signify age or damage that will help you make the best decision for your home. Below are a few that our remediation experts have complied:

  1. Noticeable Wear and Matting
  • Once your carpet is noticeably damaged, it’s difficult to save it.
  • Examine your carpet for ripples, as this can be caused by worn padding underneath.
  • Padding that loses its form also has reduced cushioning and insulation.
  • Check every area of the carpet for tears, holes and other visual clues that might indicate a replacement is needed.
  • Matted carpet, or carpet that has become frayed, can be caused by heavy traffic or improper installation.
  1. Unremovable Stains
  • Every carpet gets a stain occasionally, but once they start to stay, it’s time for your carpet to go.
  • Although most carpet designs come with stain-resistance, this often loses effectiveness with age, and stains can become prevalent.
  • Some lingering carpet stains can also soak through the carpet, harming the floor and potentially causing mold or mildew.
  • If stains are appearing out of nowhere on your carpet, then this may be mold growth. Contact RestoPros immediately for mold remediation services.
  1. Foul Odors
  • A smelly carpet is a bad carpet, and the stronger the odor, the faster you should seek solutions to get rid of the smell.
  • Foul odors in your carpet can be caused by various things including pets, foot traffic, spills, or old age.
  • Foul odors from your carpet can compromise your indoor air quality and may lead to health problems including headaches and nausea.
  • If you have had your carpet professionally cleaned and the odors remain, you should consider replacing it.
  • Foul odors that persist can also be the cause of mold growth. If your carpet is damp or musty, call the experts at RestoPros for mold remediation services.
  1. Increased Symptoms of Allergies
  • When you find yourself sneezing or coughing a lot when entering a room, your carpet may be the reason.
  • An older carpet can hold allergens and affect the health of a household.
  • Other symptoms of these allergens could include runny nose, hives, dizziness and headaches.
  • If these symptoms persist even after a professional cleaning, you should consider replacing the carpet.
  1. Older Than 8 Years
  • When your carpet is old, don’t expect the same results as when you first got it.
  • Most carpets tend to have a lifespan of about 8 years (or less), but this lifespan can be even shorter with larger families, homes with pets, and homes with leak problems.
  • If your carpet is 8 – 10 years old, consider replacing it. After the fibers have become worn and frayed, it is more difficult for it to withstand stains and other damaged caused by everyday foot traffic.

Never let your carpet be the cause of an unhealthy home. If you are experiencing any of these problems, consider replacing your carpet. And if you believe that your old carpet might be harboring mold, contact RestoPros immediately. We are the most trusted mold remediation company in Dallas/Ft Worth and can help with a variety of infestation problems. For affordable mold remediation services give us a call at 855-587-3786 to schedule an appointment.

 

Removing Mold Odor with Sunlight

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There are several ways that mold can wreak havoc on your home. Sometimes the problems aren’t as invasive as an outbreak inside your walls or ceiling. Sometimes the problems are more of a nuisance, requiring more of a DIY approach to the solution. If you live in an older home that has a musty smell, you may have encountered a problem with clothing or items made with fabric that start to smell of mold. This can happen in any residence; a new apartment or home as well as an older structure.

Items that are stored for a long time in a confined space can sometimes generate a moldy, musty smell that is extremely difficult to remove. Sometimes these are items (such as leather goods, baseball caps, sweaters and jackets) that are not feasible to put in the washing machine. Bath towels and washcloths can also develop a “mold creep” that sets in the fabric and isn’t noticeable until wet. This problem is even harder to deal with when using the regular methods of cleaning.

One of the easiest, greenest and most effective ways to completely remove that smell from clothing, towels and other items is to harness the power of sunlight. Hanging them on a clothesline (fixed or makeshift) throughout a dry, sunny day can work miracles This can sometimes be a tricky endeavor in the Dallas summer when the air is high in humidity. A hot, humid day might even exacerbate the mold growth – and odor. Make sure to check the weather forecast before you hang out any items for the day.

Try this method with fabric and leather items that have a distinctive odor. For pieces that have mold growing on them, you might simply consider getting rid of them.

  1. Choose a day with a forecast of sunny and dry (both elements are essential in this equation). Then start early in the morning to ensure you have the full day.
  2. Use gloves and, depending on the amount of items and the level of mold, a face mask to gather all of the items and take them outside. Using a clean, dry cloth, wipe the items off thoroughly.
  3. If you are also attempting to get rid of that mold smell on bath towels, they will need to be washed first on a warm cycle.
  4. Hang the items carefully on a clothesline – making sure that it is located in an area that will receive maximum sunlight all day. There should be sufficient room between each item to allow a breeze to effectively help dry out the fabric.
  5. Hang large bath towels lengthwise on the line.
  6. At the end of the day, smell the items to see if there are any lingering odors. Unless the mold contamination was extreme, the smell should have disappeared.
  7. If you can still smell mold, hang the items on a line again the following morning.
  8. Make a 1:1 mixture of water and white vinegar and gently spray everything before leaving them out again in the sun.
  9. Your clothing and towels should smell great at the end of the day.

Note:  Some pieces of clothing, including brightly colored fabrics, might fade in the direct sunlight. Be mindful of care instructions for each piece. Some might need to be professionally cleaned.

RestoPros is dedicated to keeping mold out of your home – and your life. From mold testing to remediation, our trained and licensed technicians can help eradicate its presence. If you ever find yourself dealing with more than mold odor in your clothing, contact our team! Call 855-587-3786 to schedule an assessment today!

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