Healthiest: Prevent Mold

• Black toxic mold grows best in areas with more than 50% relative humidity (RH). Reducing humidity in your home to below 50% RH year-round will greatly reduce your chances of ever having a mold problem.
  
  If you live in a damp climate, invest in a good quality dehumidifier. The unit should define how large a space it is capable of protecting. Home stores and discount stores generally carry them in the spring.
  
  Then reduce humidity sources. Ensure that dryers, bathrooms, and kitchens are vented with a fan and ductwork to the outside of the home, not into another room.
  
  Finally, eliminate sources of water. If your basement leaks, have it sealed or drain water away from the house with gutters. If you have roof or plumbing leaks, have them fixed. If you have had flood damage, consult the EPA's publication on flood damage repair. Dry all water damage within 48 hours.
  
  

Next-Best: Professional Remediation

• If you have found that disgusting fuzzy, black monster growing in your house, consider professional remediation. If you're worried about toxic chemicals used by professionals, ask them what type of chemicals they use.
  
  Many mold infestations start small but can grow to run wild. Allowing mold to grow and spread means a far more expensive repair bill later, if it can actually be remediated. A professional can eliminate a small mold problem for hundreds, perhaps a thousand, dollars. Extensive mold that grows inside drywall and ductwork can cost more than the price of the house to remove.
  
  

Healthy DIY Mold Removal

• If you find some mold in a small area (less than 30 square feet), on a relatively impermeable surface, like ceramic tile, you can try removing it yourself.
  
  First, make sure that the mold is contained and limited, meaning that there is not more mold than you initially thought there was. Look behind paneling, under rugs, and behind furniture. If you find mold growing on permeable surfaces such as drywall or ceiling tiles, stop and consider retaining a professional. If the mold is limited and contained, follow these steps:
  
  1. Dehumidify the area using a good dehumidifier.
  
  2. Clean the air using a HEPA-based filtration system.
  
  3. Clean the surfaces with one of the following:
  a. Bleach: a 4% solution in water. This is a very strong bleach solution. Make sure the room is well-ventilated.
  b. Hydrogen peroxide: Use a purchased disinfectant-strength (3%) solution. Wash first with the hydrogen peroxide solution to kill the mold, then clean the area with a detergent solution.
  c. Detergents alone: Scrub area well with a strong detergent solution that is advertised to kill germs.
  d. Steam: Deep steam cleaning with water is entirely non-toxic and the best choice for those with chemical sensitivities. Make sure the area dries thoroughly afterward.
  
  4. Continue to dehumidify, purify and ventilate the area until it is entirely dry, up to 24 hours.
  
  5. Prevent future mold attacks by following the tips above.