As junk piles up, hoarders often stop cleaning their homes too. When a dirty bathroom is poorly ventilated or has a leak, mold can grow unchecked, damaging surfaces and creating a health hazard. Spores often infect grout, caulk, and painted surfaces first but can grow anywhere. Here's some advice for getting rid of mold in a hoarder's bathroom that you can use when cleaning anyone's home.
Use Bleach
For visible mold, bleach is usually the first choice. You can buy a chlorine bleach cleaner made for mold and mildew removal or make a solution by mixing bleach and water. Spray it on, let it sit for about 30 minutes, then scrub away the mold with a stiff brush and rinse. Note that bleach will remove the color from painted surfaces and colored grout. Additionally, mold could still exist behind walls or under the floor surface.
Try Vinegar
White vinegar is a natural way to kill mold that is less likely to discolor surfaces. Apply the vinegar to areas you want to treat, let it sit for about 30 minutes, scrub, and rinse. Because vinegar is less powerful than bleach, you may have to do this several times to clean away all visible mold. You can also make a paste by mixing vinegar with baking soda or borax for more scrubbing power. Be sure not to use bleach and vinegar together because combining the two chemicals creates a toxic gas.
Call a Pro
If you see more than a few patches of mold, you may want to call a mold removal specialist that can spot areas you may miss and test air quality after remediation to make sure it's safe. Sometimes, homeowners must move out of their homes for safety during large mold removal jobs to prevent exposure to toxic chemicals or more mold as it's released and cleaned away. These specialists can usually replace surfaces like drywall that are too moldy to save.
Consider Remodeling
Remodeling the hoarder's bathroom may be the best way to get rid of all mold, which can get under linoleum, between the layers of plywood and inside porous drywall. During a remodel for mold removal, you may want to have a remediation company check the property to make sure all mold has been removed and that indoor air quality is acceptable.
Because mold likes the warm, damp atmosphere of bathrooms, it can grow in any home, not just a hoarder's. Fortunately, small amounts of mold can be cleaned away with household chemicals, and professionals can help you get rid of bigger problems.
