How to get rid of mould

Learn how to clean and remove mould safely.

What you need to know about cleaning and removing mould

Cleaning up and removing mould in your home will improve indoor air quality and reduce related health problems.
Take photos of any mould found for future reference.
You can clean up small and medium mould areas using the following precautions.
Large mould areas require expert assessment and clean up.
After cleaning up: Take steps to prevent mould from growing again.

Before you get started, make sure you have the following protective gear for your cleanup job.

Use liquid soap / detergent and water with a rag or sponge to wipe away mould.
Bleach is not recommended.
Dry surfaces completely after cleaning.
Throw out ALL porous and absorbent materials, including ceiling tiles, carpet, cardboard boxes, clothing, papers affected by mould.
DO NOT paint or caulk mouldy surfaces before cleaning and drying them.

A small mould area is 1 to 3 patches.
The patches cover an area smaller than a sheet of plywood (about 10 square feet).
You can clean up this amount of mould using recommended precautions.

A medium-sized mould area is more than 3 patches that cover a small area less than 10 square feet.
Or: the mould covers an area equal to more than 1, but less than 3 pieces of plywood (10 square feet to 30 square feet).
You can clean up this amount of mould using recommended precautions including:
- Cover the entry to the mouldy area with plastic while cleaning up.
- Place a fan in the window to ventilate.
- Clean all surfaces and wash all fabrics (clothes, towels, bedding) even if there is no mould on them.

A large mould area covers more than 3 pieces of plywood (30 square feet or more).
Expert assessment and cleanup IS required.
If you are renting: Contact your Housing Department.
If you own your home: Contact a mould contractor.

Contact your Housing Department if:

Take action to start cleaning up 24 hours to 48 hours after a flood, regardless of what caused it (snow melt, storm surge, heavy rainfall). Fast action is key.
Get rid of materials that can’t be cleaned and properly dried. This includes drywall, insulation, paper products, etc. Carpets, stuffed toys, anything that would absorb water.
Thoroughly dry wet areas and remove moisture with a Shop-Vac (wet/dry vacuum), fans, and dehumidifiers.
Open screen windows and doors to increase ventilation/air flow when using fans.