Mildew and mold are a problem that every household experiences every once in a while. In general, they can be found in humid places but the most common area where they grow is the bathroom. Due to a combination of high levels of humidity and shampoos, shower gels, etc, this part of the house suffers from mold more often that any other room.
The reason why mold is considered a problem does not evolve from the fact that it is an unattractive sight only, but rather that it poses risks to the health. Exposure to mold can have many short- and long-term effects, for example allergies. It might be that you don’t mind mold, but your guests might have a hard time at your home.
Why mold builds up in the bathroom is very clear. When you take a shower, you tend to use hot water (especially in winter). Hot water causes vaporization, which leads to high levels of humidity in the room. In the meantimes, the room temperature goes up too. Moreover, you use shower gels which leave organic residues in the air. This is how mold starts to grow.
Steam cleaning
There are many ways to prevent mold but once it is present, you had better take measures right away. One of the most efficient methods to remove mold from surfaces is using steam pressure. The best part about steam cleaning machines is that they can operate for long periods of time without interruption. They are so good because their temperature is high enough to remove all sorts of dirt and sanitize the surface they are applied to. Hot steam can kill many germs and bacteria, leaving a perfectly cleaned area.
Steam cleaning can be used for many surfaces but not for all, which is why you should be very careful when using this type of cleaning to eliminate dirt. So, steam cleaning is best for grout lines and tiles, but it can also be used for carpets and furniture.
Steam cleaning is not appropriate for silicone joints, anodized and enamel surfaces.
The process…
Mold removal with steam cleaning is an easy and pleasant task since it does not involve a lot of scrubbing or the use of chemicals. Plus, it is healthy. So, how is mildew removed with steam cleaning? You may need to use some cleaning agent after all. Usually it is applied on the affected area and left to work for about two to five minutes. The time that the product needs to sit is determined by the amount of mold infestation.
When the time is up, the only thing that you have to do is steam the area for a while and then scrub away the mold. No pressure or special efforts needed. You don’t have to spend hours scrubbing. When you are done with this step, take a dry cloth and wipe down the surface.
Finally, to make sure that the mold is completely gone, you can also apply a little oil of cloves on the treated area. Just be careful with it. It is not recommended to breathe in oil of cloves if you are pregnant so stay away from it. Many people use bleach to deal with the problem. However, bleach is bad for the health and it doesn’t kill mold. It just makes it invisible.
Author Bio: Connie Jameson works with different cleaning products. She has a lot of experience removing mold from her last job at end of tenancy cleaning London.
11 comments
I (since moving into my property 2+ years ago) have had a problem with mould in the bedroom (white/grey in colour) I have tried many ways to get rid of it I’ve washed/scrubbed the walls & ceiling in sugar soap, bleach, mould & mildew remover! I’ve steamed the area & countless other things! Is there a way to get rid of it or is the best I can hope for controlling it?? Its affecting my health now & I really don’t know what to do??? PLEASE HELP…….
To: Kaye-Marie I have the same issue you have in my apartment, I was constantly cleaning everything repeatedly & all it did was make it mold free for short periods of time. So I bought an industrial strength Ozone making machine from ‘Maxblasterusa” to use for disinfecting the air itself, I let it run while at work up to 2 times a week & especially immediately after I vacuum which has significantly retarded the mold growth. The machines are pricey because the Ozone Concentration has to be high in order to work & you can NOT be in the room or house for very long because the Ozone Concentration needed to get the job done WILL harm your lungs &/or your pets lungs. It takes 30-60 minutes for the Ozone concentration to return to normal, which is why I use a timer & do it while at work. You may smell the Ozone for 4-8 hours but its fine as long as you waited the 30-60 minutes. It works great.
I am staying in the property from 3 years I am looking for the best ways to get rid of spring fall using proper equipment like steam pressure cleaning. The suggestion is very helpful.
http://www.mrsudshousewashing.com.au/high-pressure-cleaners-service-toowoomba.html
Thanks for this great article. I was going to buy a steam mob just for the mildew and i wasn’t sure whether or not it works on this problem. Thank you very much for sharing this.
For anyone who may be dealing with reoccurring mold issues. And hasn’t yet been to the far reaches of the internet researching. The EPA is an excellent source of information. https://www.epa.gov/mold/mold-cleanup-your-home
Any one thing to take away from this is control moisture to keep mold from growing.
Clean the mold. Dry the area quickly (within 24-48 hours). Then remove moisture sources or add ventilation to stop excessively humid conditions. See the website. Thanks for the suggestion on using my steam cleaner!
I clean inside trucks used to transport bakery frozen and ambeant products can the mould be dangerous to my health
Steam clean mould in trucks is it dangerous
Thanks for the article. Its good to know bleach isn’t the right solution. we also use the steam clean method. http://www.commercialcleanbrisbane.com.au
Vinegar kills roots of mold, so does peroxide. Not just making it invisible like bleach. Heard you do not mix the 2 together.
Buy a de humidifier and prevent the mould from returning.
Yes, you were right that the Steam is the only perfect solution to deal with mold. Bleach isn’t a good solution. After reading your article I searched for a cleaning services provider in Brisbane who removes mold with steam then I found several options like CommercialCleaningBrisbane, WhitePeak24; brisbaneofficeclean etc. So I’ve got done my work through whitepeak24. They used the same steam procedure and it worked well.