How To Spot And Treat Mold In Your Home

The first sign of mold you notice may be a musty smell in your home.

After looking around, you spot what looks like mold -- don't panic!

You can remove unhealthy mold from your house without it costing a small fortune.

Check To Be Sure It's Really Mold

Mold can look many different ways, which depends on the type.

Some are grayish-white or black and can look like a dirty smudge.

If you're in doubt that a spot is mold, you can do a test with chlorine bleach.

Simply put a drop on the spot. If the color immediately fades away, you have mold.

Mold Infestation Ususally Means Leaks Too

Mold needs moisture to grow.

If you find mold, you know that you probably also have a water problem in your Greece home.

So first, you'll need to find the source of the leak and repair it.

After that, you can begin getting rid of the mold.

How To Kill Mold

A lot of people think mold clean up has to be expensive.

The truth is that most mold problems can be eliminated with chlorine bleach.

Bleach is a strong chemical, so for safety you'll need to wear gloves, an air filter and goggles while you clean.

Remember, when cleaning with bleach you need to work in a well-ventilated area, and never mix bleach with anything that contains ammonia.

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommends using bleach to kill mold on hard, non-porous surfaces.

Killing mold with bleach is a simple process:

• Thoroughly soak the area in full strength bleach.
• Let it soak for fifteen minutes.
• Scrub the area with a mixture of one-part chlorine bleach, three-parts water and one teaspoon of dishwashing soap.

Finishing The Clean-up

Once everything has been washed, you'll need to do another inspection of your home.

Look for moldy papers, clothes or anything porous that could be a good home for mold.

These things will need to be bagged and thrown away.

Allow two to three days for the surfaces to dry.

Then, continue to inspect the areas for mold re-growth, and pay attention for any moldy odors.

Congratulations, you have eliminated the mold problem in your home and saved a lot of money by doing it yourself.

If you'd like additional maintenance tips or are looking to buy a new house, contact a licensed real estate professional right away!

How To Keep Your Dishwasher Mold- and Mildew-Free

Your dishwasher is a breeding ground for mold and mildew. It's warm, it's dark, and there is a bevy of decaying, organic material in the form of both food particles and soap.

Therefore, you'll want to periodically scrub and disinfect your dishwasher so that it remains it clean and healthy, and so that your dishes stay that way, too.

Here's how to clean your dishwasher :

1. Remove all racks from the dishwasher. Wash with dish-washing detergent and set aside to dry. 
2. Mix 1 part vinegar with 4 parts very hot water into a spray bottle.
3. Spray the mixture on the dishwasher seal and anywhere else you see discoloration, mold or mildew.
4. Scrub the affected areas with a non-abrasive scrub brush.
5. Replace racks in the dishwasher.
6. Fill a small, dishwasher-safe bowl with white vinegar and place on the top rack.
7. Without soap, run the dishwasher at the highest temperature setting available.

Then, after performing these steps, you find that your dishwasher still has an "odor", or if mold or mildew remnants remain, immediately pour 1 cup of baking soda on the floor of your dishwasher, and run the cycle a second time at the highest temperature setting available.

If your mold/mildew problem persists, you should check the dishwasher's drain line. If it's kinked, water may be unable to drain and will pool at the bottom of your dishwasher -- a mold-breeding situation.

You should also check the food trap at the base of the dishwasher for too-large-to-drain pieces of food.

A good dishwasher will last years with proper care and maintenance. Keep yours mold- and mildew-free.