Mold will reappear until its source of moisture is removed. High moisture levels that are not corrected can make the molds grow back quickly. Cleaning is only a temporary but essential measure.

You can help by making a conscious effort to keep the home dry. Obviously, water must be prevented from entering the home. But you can help by controlling moisture that you produce.

Painting over mold only masks the problem. Paint does not kill the mold nor stop it from growing. Surfaces that are washable should be cleaned with a detergent solution, following the procedure suggested here, then allowed to dry. If you are going to paint, remove mold first.

Vacuum cleaner dealers carry HEPA vacuums. Consider purchasing one as an upgrade to what you may be using. A HEPA vacuum is a good investment in the long term whether you have mold or not. A generic canister HEPA vacuum cleaner costs approximately $300. Brand name products of the same type may cost more. You may inquire if the dealer has a HEPA vacuum cleaner to rent. Contractors who clean up or renovate houses for mold should also have this equipment.

Vacuum regularly with a HEPA or externally exhausted vacuum cleaner to prevent the ongoing accumulation of dust and molds. The need for HEPA or external exhaust vacuuming increases with the severity of the mold problem.

If a furnishing has been wet at some time in the past or has been exposed to dampness over a prolonged period of time, vacuuming with HEPA or externally exhausted vacuum is unlikely to remove the mold growing beneath the surface. It is better to discard the item.

Ordinary vacuums capture large particles only — small mold spores pass through the vacuum into the air. HEPA vacuums have special filters that capture small particles. A central vacuum cleaner which is exhausted to the outside also removes mold spores. A regular portable vacuum is useful only if its exhaust goes outside the home. Vacuuming removes settled dust that contains an accumulation of mold spores over time. Reducing the settled dust reduces molds.

Vacuuming with any vacuum cleaner (ordinary, central or HEPA) stirs dust and mold during the process. Wear a dust mask so you will not be breathing more mold.

Before you add moisture to the air, measure the relative humidity. Air that feels dry may not be really dry. It may be moldy. High relative humidity (over 45 per cent) promotes the growth of molds and dust mites. The moisture in the air may condense on colder exterior walls where molds start to grow.

If your physician has advised you to use a humidifier in your child’s bedroom at night, monitor the relative humidity. Turn the humidifier on and off as necessary. In the morning, take steps to make sure the room gets dry. Clean and empty the humidifier after each use.

This is the question most frequently asked by homeowners who think their home may have a mold problem. Testing is generally not recommended for homeowners. Testing of moldy materials or an air sample identifies the types of molds that may be present but does not identify the cause/source of moisture. The type of mold does not change the procedures for cleaning up areas of mold less than 3 square meters. You have to clean up the mold and correct the problem irrespective of the type of mold. The cost of testing may be better spent hiring a professional investigator or fixing the problem.

Testing of a moldy material involves sending a swab, an imprint on a Scotch tape or a piece of the material to a competent laboratory. Air sampling requires specialized equipment. An air sample typically captures mold spores in a period of minutes. Since replicate samples must be taken due to variations in the airborne molds over time (even hours) and compared with outdoor samples, air testing is both expensive and time-consuming. Interpretation of test results may not be very useful, since there are no advocated "safe levels" of indoor molds and the results will not tell the health risks from the molds.

A number of factors help UrthPRO™ Cleaner, Disinfectant & Fungicide stand out from the competition. Disinfectants were traditionally made with harsh, sometimes highly toxic, chemicals like Quaternary Ammonium Compounds, Phenols, Bleach or other Oxidizing Agents. These ingredients, while generally effective at killing germs, can trigger allergies and other health conditions such as asthma. UrthPRO CDF uses ingredients like ethyl alcohol, and other fruit and mineral based components for a truly hypoallergenic, user-friendly and indoor environmentally responsible sanitary experience. In addition, UrthPRO™ CDF combines the best qualities of these ingredients to be a truly all-in-one solution. It cleans as it disinfects, deodorizes, and degreases, all at once, actually making your job easier.

UrthPRO™ Cleaner, Disinfectant & Fungicide is the most versatile, efficient and user-friendly antimicrobial solution proven to kill and remove disease and odor causing mold, bacteria and fungi. It is specially designed for professionals who specialize in the mitigation of microbial pests to not only kill the problematic microorganisms, but also clean and deodorize the affected area. This all-in-one product is a cost-effective way to reduce labor time by combining multiple steps into one, while providing a hypoallergenic solution that will not leave behind a harmful residue or harsh fumes.

NO! This is a common misconception of products that kill germs. THEY DON’T ALWAYS WORK WHEN DIRT OR OTHER SOILS ARE PRESENT! In fact, most REQUIRE a pre-cleaning step to be effective. UrthPRO™ CDF works in the presence of soils, and does not require a pre-cleaning step…again, making your job easier!