In this topic
- EPA guidance treats about 10 square feet as the line for DIY cleanup.
- Never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaners.
- If it keeps coming back, the moisture source hasn't been fixed.
The EPA suggests homeowners can usually handle mold covering less than about 10 square feet, a patch roughly three feet by three feet, as long as they protect themselves and fix the moisture.
This topic is part of our complete guide to mold remediation. The articles for this topic are listed at the end of the page.
If you clean it yourself
- Wear an N95 respirator, gloves and goggles.
- Scrub hard surfaces with detergent and water, then dry them completely.
- Bag and throw out moldy porous items.
- Don't dry-brush or sand mold; it spreads spores.
- Fix the leak or humidity problem.
When to call a crew
- The area is larger than about 10 square feet.
- Mold is inside walls, ceilings or HVAC.
- It came from sewage or floodwater.
- Someone in the home has health concerns.
- You need documentation for insurance or a sale.
All 7 articles in this topic
0 published · 7 coming soon- Can You Remove Small Amounts of Mold Yourself?Coming soon
- What Are the Risks of DIY Mold Removal?Coming soon
- When Should You Call a Professional Instead of Cleaning Mold Yourself?Coming soon
- Do Bleach and Household Cleaners Actually Kill Mold?Coming soon
- Why Do DIY Mold Removal Attempts Often Fail to Solve the Problem?Coming soon
- What Safety Precautions Should You Take if Cleaning Mold Yourself?Coming soon
- Does DIY Mold Removal Affect an Insurance Claim?Coming soon
Too big to handle yourself?
A local crew can be on site in about 45 minutes, 24/7, and we document everything for your insurer.