In the mold world, blue mold is unique.
Perhaps most famously, one particularly common blue mold strain—Penicillium expansum—was used to create penicillin and blue cheese. That’s an impressive resume.
On the downside, it’s also fast-growing and can be toxic to your health. If you suspect you found blue mold in your DC-area home and want to know how to remedy it, the experts at Moldgone are here to help.
What Are Blue Mold’s Health Risks?
Blue mold is one of the more toxic mold varieties. Breathing in blue mold spores is known to cause allergic reactions, lung inflammation, chest pain, and sinus infections.
Blue mold is especially dangerous for those with compromised immune systems, asthma, and allergies, as well as children and the elderly.
Where Does Blue Mold Grow?
You’ll find blue mold where you’d find any mold infestation, typically in dark, damp, low-circulated, and humid places.
It commonly attaches itself to materials in basements, bathrooms, the kitchen, the laundry room, and the garage.
Should You Clean the Mold Yourself or Hire a Professional Remediator?
Blue mold’s rapid growth and known toxicity make it best handled by professional remediators.
That said, there are a few scenarios where it might be manageable. So long as the infestation is less than 10 square feet in size—and it has grown on a nonporous material (glass, metal, porcelain)—you should be fine on your own.
If it’s any larger, or if you have existing immune deficiencies or strong allergic reactions, call a professional DC-area mold remediator.
How to Remediate Blue Mold
Say you’ve identified the mold, and it’s either on a porous material or a nonporous material that can be easily removed —and it’s small enough to handle yourself. What then?
Step one is donning protective clothing; otherwise, you risk spreading it through your clothing or inhaling toxic spores. Be sure to protect your nose, throat, and eyes are the easiest places for mold to get a footing. We recommend an N95 mask, goggles, as well disposable clothing, and gloves (You can create a seal by taping your shirt’s wrist hole to your gloves).
Now you’ll apply a solution capable of eliminating your mold infestation. Apply your cleaning solution—whether it’s laundry detergent, bleach, or mold removers—clean the surface, and deposit any cleaning materials into your trash bag.
If your surface is porous and can be removed, place it in the trash bag as well. Finally, seal your trash bag with tape and carry it to an outdoor garbage can.
Mold infestations are known to spring back. Keep an eye out for regrowth in the short term.
Mold Prevention is About Moisture Control
Once found, mold is surprisingly resilient. That’s why an ounce of prevention goes a long way here. To keep your DC-area home mold free in the future, you’ll want to observe and manage your moisture levels.
Without that, mold can’t thrive.
Why MoldGone
At MoldGone, we offer FREE mold inspection. Our mold removal and mold remediation services are available at reasonable prices.
Call us today at 240-970-6533 or Click here to schedule your appointment.
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