Mold growth in your home is a serious issue that can damage your belongings and compromise your health. Typically, you wouldn’t hesitate to toss anything that’s been damaged by green stuff… but what about that box of old family photos?
For more sentimental items that have fallen victim, it’s important to know what is salvageable. This guide will help you sort out everything after mold remediation.
Should I Clean or Pitch Belongings After Mold Removal?
The answer: it depends. There are surely some things you need to throw out after they’ve been exposed to mold, but there are some items you might be able to rescue.
Here are some guidelines to follow if your home has (or had) mold damage.
What to Throw Away
Belongings that are:
- Porous:carpet, cardboard, upholstery, and stuffed animals*
- Made from paper:documents, books, photo albums, etc.
- Food-based or used to prepare food:basically, anything you’d eat or items that come in contact with food
- Submerged in water:items that have soaked are at higher risk for deep mold absorption and should be thrown out
*Beds and bedding are technically considered porous, and should therefore be either thrown away or thoroughly inspected and cleaned before using.
What You Can Keep
- Items made of plastic, metal, ceramic, or glass
- Fabric that’s been cleaned well and disinfected
- Electronics and electronic appliances
- Belongings that look clearly compromised (permanent spots and stains)
- Items that hold a funky smell after cleaning
Why Should You Throw Away Items After Mold Removal?
Unfortunately, mold releases toxins that create free radicals (unstable atoms that damage cells) when ingested by humans, which can lead to a bunch of different health issues. In fact, ingesting certain types of mold (including black mold) can make you very sick—and it can even be life-threatening!
This is why many toxicologists recommend homeowners treat moldy belongings ASAP. Damaged items should be thrown away without question, and items that are easy to replace or inexpensive (i.e. clothes, food) should be tossed as a precautionary measure. Basically, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
How To Clean Items Exposed to Mold
If some of your household items have been exposed to mold, you’ll need to assess and address the situation as quickly as possible. Some items are salvageable if cleaned correctly, while others are not.
Clothing and Fabrics
Unfortunately, mold can cause permanent damage to some clothing items and fabrics. To clean washable items, pretreat them with non-ammonia detergent, and then wash them at the highest temperature with detergent and the appropriate bleach. Check the label on your product to determine the highest wash temperature.
Furniture Items
Cleaning furniture items after mold removal exposure depends on its material type. Follow these steps if your hard-surfaced item is made of laminate, wood, veneer, steel, resin, or bamboo.
Start by removing mold spores with a damp cloth and mild non-phosphate detergent. Dry thoroughly but not in direct sunlight. If the mold was caused by sewer water, disinfect your furniture piece using a mixture of bleach and water.
Leather Furniture and Clothing
It’s essential to clean your leather clothing or furniture as soon as you discover its exposure to mold. Use a clean cloth or a soft-bristled brush to remove the mold spores. Then, clean it with a solution of water and non-phosphate detergent before wiping it off and drying thoroughly. You can also wipe down items with a mixture of water and isopropyl alcohol. Finally, dry the leather items thoroughly and then use a leather conditioner.
