- 1). Close all doors or vents that connect to the rest of the house. The cleanup may fill the air with mold spores, leading to future problems elsewhere.
- 2). Put on protective gear. FEMA recommends wearing rubber gloves, a mask and eye protection.
- 3). Ventilate the area. Open external doors and windows.
- 4). Pull away all wall materials that have mold underneath them. If the walls are wet, cut away the wet portions. The goal is to clear away any material that may conceal mold. If you miss any areas, the mold may return.
- 5). Throw away all porous materials, such as drywall and insulation. If the wall has rigid board insulation, you might be able to clean it. But it's probably best to play it safe and just throw it away.
- 6). Clean the inside of the wall with a stiff brush and a mixture of hot water and non-ammonia detergent. Remove all mold.
- 7). Use a wet/dry vacuum to remove all water and debris.
- 8). Apply a disinfectant to all cleaned surfaces and let it sit there for at least 10 minutes. FEMA recommends a disinfectant composed of 90 percent water, 10 percent bleach.
- 9). Rinse the area with clean water and allow it to dry for several days before replacing the insulation and closing up the wall. Set up fans and dehumidifiers to help the process.
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