Chlorine Bleach

• Containing sodium hypochloride, chlorine bleach is not just for your laundry. It can clean and disinfectant various surfaces. However, the question of its effectiveness at removing the mold is one of great debate. Bleach does kill mold, but it does not remove the mold and even dead mold can cause health complications. When cleaning a molded surface, you must remove the mold, not just kill it. However, you can use chlorine bleach to help in the mold removal process.
  
  

Removing Mold

• Before beginning the removal process, dampen the surface mold with water to prevent the fungus from releasing spores into the air. Fill a bucket with 1 gallon of lukewarm water. Add 1/4 cup of dish soap that does not contain ammonia and 1 cup of chlorine bleach. Mix the contents with a spoon. Dampen a scrub brush or sponge in the mixture. Scrub the mold off the surface with the damp sponge or scrub brush. Allow the mixture to sit on the surface for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing the solution off the surface with cool water. Wipe the excess liquid off the surface with a towel.
  
  

Safety

• Since mold can cause respiratory problems and aggravate asthma and allergy symptoms, wear the proper safety gear to prevent exposure to the mold and its spores. Safety glasses, rubber gloves and an N-95 respirator will protect you from the mold during the cleanup process. All of these items are available at home improvement stores. Also open doors and windows during the mold removal process to help ventilate and circulate the air. When working with bleach, do not mix ammonia or products containing ammonia with bleach. The resulting fumes are dangerous.
  
  

Warning

• Never remove mold infestations that span an area larger than 10 square feet. According to the Washington State Department of Health, you should allow a professional mold removal company to remove these large infestations.