How to Kill Mold

Any home that has ever suffered from water damage knows the problem with mold. However, even if you haven’t had a recent flood or broken pipe, mold can still be a major problem. Mold exists anywhere that there is moisture. Bathrooms with improper ventilation and homes without dehumidifiers can quickly grow a mold problem.

Mold is alive, take away its source of food or water and it goes away!

Mold is a living thing. Is needs water and food to exist and it is always trying to grow more mold by releasing spores. These spores are the primary culprit of the respiratory and other health issues that are associated with mold. Anyone with a compromised immune system of who is prone to allergies should address any mold problems immediately. Black mold is especially dangerous and should be dealt with by professionals. Black mold removal is dangerous because it is extremely toxic. If you even try to remove black mold you will need to wear a respirator and wear full body and eye protection.

Mold Removal Products

There are several commercially available mold removal products. You need to be very cautious when using these as they can often be more toxic then the mold you are trying to remove. I have found that white vinegar or bleach (never mix bleach and vinegar) mixed with water are pretty good mold cleaners.

When removing mold always wear a mask or respirator. No matter how careful you are, when you disturb the mold, spores will be released. To reduce the number of released spores and to begin the cleaning process, wet down the area that you are going to scrub with a spray bottle filled with equal parts of water and white vinegar. Scrub the pre-soaked area with pure white vinegar and a scrub brush or sponge, depending on the surface that you are trying to clean. I admit, the white vinegar smell is strong, but it does dissipate very quickly. Test a small area of your surface before you start cleaning to make sure that is doesn’t discolor. Do not use bleach to kill mold in any living areas! Bleach, even diluted, will harm the surface that you are trying to clean and it will harm your family.

If you find mold on any of your drywall, make sure that you kill it immediately and solve your moisture problem. Once mold gets into drywall, you have to remove all of the drywall and replace it to kill the mold. Drywall is a perfect incubator for mold. It spreads across the paper and exists off of the moisture stored within the drywall. There is no mold cleaner for drywall mold. Always use waterproof drywall in bathrooms when remodeling!

Remember; until you address the moisture issue you will always have mold. If the mold is in your basement, you may have to install a sump pump and seal your walls. Also, look for any other sources of water or moisture. Mold doesn’t require much water so even the smallest leak or source of dampness is enough to sustain the mold. Adding a dehumidifier will also help. If you are getting mold in bathrooms or other interior rooms, look into installing an exhaust fan. Many different makes and models exist and some can be incorporated into light fixtures so that the fan turns on with the light. Remove the moisture, remove the mold!

How to Clean Grout Like The Pros

In your kitchen, bath, and just about anywhere else in your home, tile provides a very durable and stain resistant covering. Unfortunately, tiles are separated by grout, and grout is not nearly as stain resistant. Since grout is generally white, or at least a very light color, every stain shows up immediately. With our simple tricks, we can make cleaning grout a very simple task.

Some Tricks to Become the Best Grout Cleaner

If you have tile floors, the grout is definitely going to become stained at some point of time. Surface stains can be removed easily with sandpaper. Fold the sandpaper, and work the crease back and forth in the grout. If the grout is too soft for the sandpaper you can also use a normal pencil eraser. If the sandpaper or eraser doesn't do the job or the grout still remains discolored, you can create a solution of one part bleach and four parts of water. Saturate the grout with the solution and scrub with a small brush. A toothbrush is ideal; just throw it away when you’re done. Rinse well with clean water and let dry.

In your kitchen, your tile is constantly assaulted by food and spills of various natures. If you do not like using a lot of harsh chemicals around your kitchen, we have a great natural cleaner for you. Mix 1/2 cup of baking soda, 1/4 cup ammonia, 1/4 cup white vinegar, 1 teaspoon lemon juice and about 6 cups of water in a spray bottle. This cleaner really gets under those dried-on food stains and leaves the grout looking like new. Spray on your grout liberally, and scrub with a soft bristled brush or a toothbrush.

If your tile is heavily stained around your kitchen or bathroom, work in a little Soft Scrub with Bleach with your finger. Let it work on the grout overnight. By morning, even the toughest stains will have disappeared. Rinse with warm water and dry with a clean towel or paper towel. No need to scrub the grout with a toothbrush any more!

As a quick cleaner, wipe down your grout with hydrogen peroxide. This keeps your grout white and kills off all of the bacteria that can be living in it.

Make sure that you do not ever mix any cleaning products made with bleach with any products made with ammonia! The two combine to form chlorine gas, which is extremely dangerous. Rinse away all cleaners thoroughly after you have used them.

Related Posts:

• Cleaning Grout in Your Kitchen
• Cleaning Floor Tile Grout
• CLR Cleaner - Uses, Dangers, Alternatives

How to Maintain Your Carport

When you don’t have any extra room in your garage, a carport is a great way to protect your assets from the weather. A sturdy carport can extend the life of any vehicle and can make it a lot nicer to get into in the winter months. However, once your carport starts to show its age, they can become eyesores very quickly.

There are multiple types of structures that you can use as a carport. Many steel, aluminum, and plastic pre-formed kits exist to help you construct one quickly and cheaply. If you live in a home with an older carport, it most likely constructed of wood or wood and metal. A wood constructed carport requires more maintenance than a metal one, but can easily be maintained with minimal effort.

To really keep your carport looking its best, I recommend getting a power washer.

If you have a wooden carport, the power washer is great for quick cleanups even in the tallest parts of your carport. They can blast away grime and loose paint, which comes in very handy when you plan on repainting. It is very important to keep up the paint on your carport. Without the paint, the wooden structure will be susceptible to bugs and rot. A power washer is also a great investment for metal carport owners as well. They are also great at removing the startup bird nests that are always showing up in the rafters or the roofing of your carport. If you cannot afford a power washer for your carport, a bucket of soapy water and a good, long-handled brush will do a great job.

If you have trees around your carport, you may begin to see mold and mildew building up on the roof. Put on some clothes that you care nothing about and get the sturdiest ladder that you own. If you can safely set up scaffolding alongside your carport, this will save you some time. Now mix one part bleach to ten parts of water in a large bucket. Scrub the roof of your carport with the mixture and a stiff brush. Rinse with a lot of water.

It you get oil stains on the concrete floor in your carport; use our tip for Removing Oil Stains from your Driveway.

Hydrogen Peroxide - Cleaning, Sanitizing Wonder

Over the years, we have offered many great cleaning tips that use hydrogen peroxide. Ever wonder why it’s such a great cleaning agent? Hydrogen Peroxide (H₂O₂) is a mild acid, but it is a very strong oxidizing agent which means that as it combines with other molecules, it gives off oxygen. Because of this, Hydrogen Peroxide can be used very successfully as an anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-mold cleaning agent. It also is very good at bleaching surfaces.

Hydrogen Peroxide is safe to use around the house and is non-toxic, especially in the low concentrations that we recommend using. It is also fairly inexpensive, and easy to obtain at almost any grocery or drug store. It can also be bought in bulk at restaurant supply stores.

When you clean with Hydrogen Peroxide, you get an added bonus. It sanitizes your sponges every time you use it. No need to worry about spreading nasty stuff around!

Practical uses of hydrogen peroxide:

• Spray on and wipe down wooden cutting boards to disinfect
• Use to sanitize bathrooms and kitchens, just a splash on a sponge will do
• Can be used to clean toilets, and is septic system safe
• Can be diluted into a spray to clean vegetables and fruits
• Can be used in your washer instead of bleach, just treat it as if it were bleach
• You can even bleach your hair with a highly diluted mix of H₂O₂ and water!

Some of our classic cleaning tips using Hydrogen Peroxide are:

• Removing Blood From Carpet and Microfiber
• Disinfecting Your Phones
• Organic Stains on Granite Counters
• Get Your Vinyl Strap Patio Furniture Looking Like New
• Make Your Caulk Look Like New
• Removing Stains From Enamel Bathtubs
• Safely Sanitize Countertops
• Removing Grass Stains from Clothing
• Homemade Odor Remover

How to Kill Swine Flu, Bird Flu or any Flu Virus

Swine flu has been in the news for the last several weeks. Many people are starting to panic because they don't know much about the virus and the news media is really hyping this story. As of today, it looks like this variant of the virus (H1N1) is only about as deadly as the normal seasonal flu. This can change quickly as the virus evolves and largely depends on what hosts the virus can spread to. If kept unchecked, this could become much worse later in the year as the real flu season starts. This is the best time for everyone to become educated on what they can do to help stop the spread of this flue. Just remember that the swine flu can be killed in the same ways as regular or avian flu. This virus has many weaknesses.

The first thing to remember is that the flu is passed by bodily secretions. As people cough and sneeze, blow their noses and touch things, they can leave the virus on various surfaces. The most important thing you can do to protect yourself is to wash your hands frequently. You should wash your hands for 30 to 60 seconds. If you have kids remember to help them wash long enough. Washing your hands does not kill the virus. Washing your hands mechanically removed the virus from your hands and washes it down the drain. You can use waterless hand sanitizer to kill the flu virus, but make sure it is at least 60% alcohol.

On hard surfaces the flu virus can be killed with any cleaning product that states that it is a "disinfectant." Be sure to check the label as it should state specifically if the disinfectant kills the influenza virus. Things like Lysol and Clorox wipes will kill flu virus.

The following environmental factors can also kill the flu virus:

1. Any heat above 160 degrees Fahrenheit. So your stove, dishwasher and dryer will kill the virus.
2. Cooking any foods above 165 will kill any virus in food products.
3. Alcohol solutions of at least 70% alcohol and hand sanitizer at least 60% alcohol.
4. Antiseptic cleansers like Lysol and Clorox Wipes.
5. Bleach will kill flu virus when mixed one cup bleach to one gallon water.

Tomorrow we will talk about where the flu virus and other germs hide in your house and office.

The Germiest Places in Your House

In the last few weeks, the swine flu as started to spread throughout North America and the world. The World Health Organization has raised alert level of a pandemic to 5 out of 6. Many people are worried about how this flu is spread. Don't forget that you can kill the flu virus easily. The more difficult task is finding where it hides. Here are my top 7 places that germs like to hide in your house and office:

1. Door Knobs
2. Light Switches
3. Appliance Handles
4. The Telephone
5. Faucets
6. TV Remote
7. Computer Keyboard and Mouse

Everyone in my household uses and touches these items everyday. Whenever someone gets sick, I always try to keep these clean using a bleach wipe or spray with Lysol. I have two school age children and have not been sick in over a year. Cleaning these basic areas and obsessive hand washing have been my recipe for success. Sadly, my wife hasn't been so lucky.

Think about the things your family uses everyday and remember to clean those with extra care. For further information on how to kill the flu and germs read our tips on how to kill the flu virus and germs.

You may also be interested in The 12 Germiest Places.

Protect Your Investment In a Front Loading Washing Machine

Front loading washing machines are becoming more popular. They are very energy efficient and allow for large loads. They do require a little more maintenance than your grandma's washer.

The most common compliant with front loaders is that they start to smell. This is usually due to standing water in the machines. The way they are designed leaves a tiny bit of water left in the wash tub. They also have large seals around the door that can start to get mildew or mold growing on them. The best defense is to leave the door open when you are not using the washing machine. A good second defense is to run an empty load with bleach on the largest capacity setting once a month.

Nobody wants to wash their close in a stinky washer! With a little extra care your front loader with last a long time and alway be fresh and clean.

Visit our Washing Machine section for more tips.

Tips To Keep Your Valentine's Flowers Fresh

Flowers are one of the most popular Valentine's Day gifts. They are beautiful to look at and smell, but unless they are cared for properly their life will be short. Follow these tips and you may be enjoying them in March.

• Use a Clean Vase - Don't use the same vase you used last time without cleaning it. Bacteria from the last bouquet will start to grow and ruin your flowers as soon as the vase is filled it with water. Here are some tips on how to clean a vase: Amazing Tip for Cleaning Cloudy Vases and Alka-Seltzer to the Rescue for Vases.
• Super Charge the Water - Bacteria is the enemy of fresh cut flowers. You can fight bacteria off by adding a small amount of bleach to the water, a few drops will do. Your flowers need to be feed, so use a packet of flower food or add a teaspoon of sugar to the water.
• Cut Stems Underwater - Fill a bowl with lukewarm water and let the bottom of the stems rest in the water for a few minutes. Cut the stems at a 45 degree angle under the water to keep air from getting into the stems. At least every three days cut about 1/4" off of the stems under lukewarm running water to keep the stems from closing.
  
• Change the Water - Change the water at least every other day. Be sure to add a few drops of bleach and a spoonful of sugar.
• Keep Flowers Away From Heat - Heat will drain moisture from the flowers. Keep them away from heat sources like direct sunlight, registers, and radiators. A cool location is ideal.
• Talk to them - Tell them how much they are loved, just as you are loved for receiving them!
  
• We covered a few other tips in our post Keep Your Fresh Cut Flowers Longer.
  

Removing Mold From an Air Mattress

Janet from Cleveland asks:

I just pulled my air mattress out of the garage and found mold on the cloth side of the mattress. How do I safely get rid of it without ruining the bed?

Moisture in your garage most likely causes the mold to grow. So your first step is to try and remove any sources of water in your garage to keep other items from getting ruined. To clean the mold, my first solution would be to wash it with a 1/2 vinegar and 1/2 water solution then let it air dry in the sun. Since letting the bed dry outdoors probably isn't practical this time of year in Cleveland you may want to dry the bed with a blow dryer and let it stand in direct sunlight for a day. If that doesn't work you can try 1/2 cup bleach to one gallon of water and rewash and dry. I don't know what your mattress looks like, but the bleach may fade the color, so only use that as a last resort. Bleach kills mold the best but the vinegar will be gentler on the fabric.

What To Do If You Get Egged!

With Halloween approaching, another cleaning tip came to mind. What do you do if your house gets egged? As these attacks always seem to happen after dark, the egg usually has at least overnight to dry so just hosing it off isn’t an option, unless of course you have access to a power washer. If you don’t, just take a bucket of mild soapy water and a soft scrub brush to it. After you’ve gotten it off, fill a spray bottle with water and a few tablespoons of bleach and liberally spray down the egged area. As it’s tough to tell whether or not all the clear egg whites are gone, the bleach will stop any remaining organic matter from growing mold in the coming weeks.

How To Keep Your Halloween Pumkins Fresh Longer

Halloween is approaching and I’m starting to see pumpkins everywhere. Which brings us to today’s tip. When you first bring your pumpkins home, it’s important to get rid of all the bacteria that comes home with it. Although it isn’t harmful to us, it is harmful to your pumpkin. That bacterium is the stuff that starts the rotting process. To prolong the life of your pumpkin, mix a cup of bleach into a gallon of water then use that to wash your pumpkin. Make sure you get bleach water on every part of its outside shell. Your pumpkin will last for weeks without molding or rotting for weeks, even after you carve it.

Smelly Bath Towels

Smelly bath towels make you feel like you just got dirty after taking a shower. They can also be very embarrassing if you have company over. The first step towards alleviating this problem is to properly clean them. Unless the manufacturer's tag recommends against it, wash your towels in hot water and add 1/2 cup of borax to each load. Add 3/4 cup if it is a high capacity washer. Make sure that your towels are completely dry before folding or placing inside your cupboards. After using your towels always hang unfolded and let air dry completely before putting them away. If your towels do not lose their scent after washing with detergent and borax, soak for an hour in a mixture of 1/2 cup borax and warm water and then rewash with a 1/2 cup of bleach added to the washer. If the smell continues after even this...it's time to buy new towels!

Keep Your Fresh Cut Flowers Longer

My wife loves to get fresh cut flowers. Buying them can be fairly expensive so we use a few tricks to make sure they last as long as they can. Adding a teaspoon of bleach to the vase water has made our flowers last well over a week. We have also tried aspirin with great success. Someone told me that 7-Up or Sprite also work instead of water, but I have never tried it so I can't vouch for it effectiveness.

Keep Your Awnings Looking Their Best

To keep your awnings looking their best, make sure that you rinse them off on a monthly basis. This keeps the dirt and grime from getting into the fabric and will reduce the number of times that you truelly have to deep clean them. When it is time to give them a proper cleaning, first remove all loose soil and dirt with a brush and rinse them thoroughly. Then, create a mixture of Borax and warm water and scub in with a soft brush. Allow solution to soak for about 10 minutes and then rinse thoroughly. Allow to dry and brush off any loose particles left by the cleaning solution. If your awnings are heavily soiled, you can add a small amount (about 1/4 cup to each gallon of water) of chlorine bleach to your cleaning solution. Every time that you deep clean your awning is the best time to reapply water repellant. Find out from your awning's manufacturer what type they recommend and apply after the awnings have thoroughly dried.

How to Clean Your Brick and Stone

If your home is made of brick or you have a stone foundation like I do, you have probably noticed small patches of lichens and mold growing in the areas that have the most moisture. These little critters will begin to break down your brick and mortar if not taken care of. Wearing a respirator and goggles, attach them with a stiff bristled plastic brush. Make a solution of 1 part bleach and 6 parts water and put in a spray bottle. Spray and scrub all of the areas affected to kill off the spores to prevent a future problem.

Whiten and Clean Your Deck!

If you have a wood deck, you know how quickly it begins to discolor. Mold and dirt change the wood from inviting to frightening very quickly. Get a stiff-bristeled brush with a long handle, and in a bucket mix 1 part bleach to 3 parts water. Make sure to cover any plants before cleaning. Put on some protected gloves and clothes that you care nothing about and scrub your deck down with the solution. Rinse occassionally with the garden hose. This will whiten the wood and kill off any mold. Make sure that the deck fully dries before applying any sealant.

Removing the Permanent Stains from your Laminate Counter.

On vacation this summer, the rental had one of the cheapest laminate counter tops that I have ever seen. After placing a supermarket plastic bag on the counter, we were surprised to find the reverse image died into the counter. You could clearly make out the name and logo for the store! I watched a number of cleaning products get applied, from window cleaner to Clorox Wipes, but nothing worked. One of my family members eventually covered the entire stain with about half of a bottle of Soft Scrub with Bleach. After the second half of the bottle was applied, the stain was mostly gone. This is not a very cost-effective manner for this type of stain, but I kept my mouth closed. A much cheaper, easier method for removing these cheap laminate stains is to create a mixture of 1 part bleach to 2 parts water in a glass. I always pour my bleach into a container before adding water to reduce splashing and to make sure that the bleach is diluted before I move the mixture to my stain. Next, fold up two paper towels and saturate in the mixture. Wring out the majority of the liquid and fold the towels into the shape and size of the stain. Apply directly to the stain and pat down. As the towels dry, the bleach will remove the stain. Let it work, checking the progress as it goes. It will take a few hours. As always when working with bleach, try a test area of the laminate and use caution to protect yourself, your clothing, and your home!

Removing Mold From Bathtubs

If you have mold growing around your bathtub, try cleaning the area with vinegar and a scrub brush. After you have scrubbed the area, rinse with clean water. If the mold is still there or comes back quickly, lay a few cloths soaked in a mixture of 50% water and 50% bleach for around 12 hours. Rinse well with water after the bleach treatment. Never mix bleach with any other chemicals.

Refresh Your Microfiber Cloths

Microfiber cloths are fantastic and an absolute must for cleaning around your home. These cloths do get dirty and need to be cleaned. Heat destroys then, and certain chemicals, like bleach, melt them so you have to be very careful. To clean your microfiber cloths, soak them in a warm, not hot, water bath with dish soap for about an hour. Then wash them in your washing machine using the lowest temperature setting, gentle cycle, and regular detergent. Do not use any bleach or fabric softener, this will destroy them. Let the microfiber cloths air dry and they should be good as new!

Quick Air Conditioner Tips

Its summer and its hot. Your AC has been running constantly. Here are a few tricks to keeping it running as efficiently as possible. First, turn off the unit at both the thermostat and at your circuit panel. We don't want anyone getting electrocuted! Second, change the air filter. This should be done every month. A dirty or clogged filter strains the unit and will cause early failure. Third, vacuum out the drain line that comes out of the unit with a wet/dry vacuum. If you can, remove the drain line and run a mixture of water with a little bleach through the line. Rinse the line with clean water to remove the bleach. Reattach the drain once it has dried. Fourth, clean the condenser unit that is outside using your garden hose and a high-pressure spray nozzle. You are trying to remove the dirt and debris that builds up on these units over time. The dirtier the fins, the less efficient the unit. Also, remove any and all branches and weeds that are growing near the unit. Finally, wrap all exposed hard lines coming from the condenser with adhesive foam. It is available at most hardware or home improvement stores. This will also help the unit maintain its efficiency and keep your home nice and cool. Turn the breaker back on and reset the thermostat. Try to make regular care of your AC a spring-time tradition.