OT--more or less. How to clean mold?

[Mother's Heart]

well, I figure parents of autistic children would know how we gathered mold on our carpet. This is unhealthy, and sickening to boot! Any tips on what I can use to clean this. It's not the dreaded 'black mold'. It's gray and fuzzy and I want it outta here. What do I use to clean this spot?

[LauraP]

As any Dr. Seuss devotee could tell you, you use green mold to take care of black mold :)

But honestly, if it's just a spot, then a good quality cleaning product, like resolve, will do it. If it's really big, and continues to (ugh) grow, then you need to find the source of the mold--is there a leak in the ceiling/roof above, or is there water coming from another source (dripping toilet, sink, or a cat that likes that one spot)?

If you can find the source, or if it was a one-time thing, then you can do a thorough cleaning, or replace the carpet. Our house is old and has hardwood floors, so we have one less thing to worry about (except that the cat likes to come careening through the living room, jump on the slippery hallway throw rug and splat into the bookcases).

[Mother's Heart]

that cat!
:D

[Mother's Heart]

then you need to find the source of the mold-
soooooooo.....I've got a photo of the source in my signature. You say I've got to get rid of the source? I guess my question would have to be: "How soon would you have a bed ready for him, oh great carpetless one?" ;)

[The Pogue]

Bleach. If you can't use bleach, try vinegar.

Increase ventilation and reduce humidity, to prevent its return.

[tgrimes]

I was just going to say be careful using bleach, you might get a bad chemical reaction if it's from pee. The vinegar should work good on that, though.
Can you rent a cleaner, or you just have to soak it?

[Mother's Heart]

i was going to ask about vinegar. sitting here wtih a big bottle nearby. The really tortuous thing is...this is under the computer desk...right under the keyboard! how cruel! LOL.

[mrsdoubtfyre]

http://www.ehow.com/how_18791_remove-mildew-carpet.html
I find ammonia really a trigger for asthma or breathing problems.


I personally would try an Oxy-Clean product. The basic rule is to dry thoroughly, using a fan or heat lamp after.

If the area is large, I'd go commercial. They are experienced with this type of problem.

Good luck.

[callyflower]

I just got the ULTIMATE pee removal recipe. Used it this week when my 16 yo cat was incontinent in her sleep--on my LEATHER SOFA.

2 cups hydrogen peroxide
2 t. baking soda
2 drops liquid dish soap

Saturate the stain and allow to dry thoroughly.

This works for human pee as well.

[Mother's Heart]

thank you. I will stash THAT recipe away for sure.

this particular growth arose from a missed food or drink spill....didn't clean it up soon enough. Can't keep up with all the UFF. unidentified flying food. sigh. the bane of our existence.

[AKF]

2 cups hydrogen peroxide
2 t. baking soda
2 drops liquid dish soap

Won't the hydrogen peroxide take the color out of the carpet??

[frogmama]

Salt will kill mold, just sprinkle it on and sort of smush it in, let it sit overnight and vaccum it up. This will kill it, but there still will be a stain that you should be able to get out with oxy-clean or resolve.

[Mother's Heart]

If the mold spores are gone I don't much care about the stain. Salt hmm. let'ssee, I've got a nice variety of salts here, from trying to avoid corn allergens. Shall I choose sea salt, Kosher salt, or Kosher sea salt, or, non-iodized kosher pink de-contaminated, naturalized, hand crystalized, eye brightening, pickling for males under 13 years formula? ;)

[frogmama]

lol, just CHEAP salt and lots of it! :)