Detergent and Water

• You can effectively remove most mold with a simple detergent and water solution. Mix a generous splash of laundry detergent with a gallon of water in a bucket. Use a scrub brush to dip into the solution and scrub away the mold. It may take several attempts to fully remove the mold from the area. Allow the area to air-dry, if it is in a well-ventilated room. Otherwise, dry the area thoroughly with a towel.
  
  

Bleach and Water

• Mold stains that will not disappear with detergent and water call for a bleach and water solution. This also is a good approach for homeowners who wish for an extra cleaning step for moldy areas, and seek to prevent regrowth. Mix 1/4 cup of bleach with a gallon of water, and wipe over the moldy area with a cloth. Wait 20 minutes, repeat the process, wait an additional 20 minutes, and assess the area. Repeat if necessary. Wipe down the area with water, and dry it thoroughly with a towel when you're satisfied with the cleanliness. Do not use this approach on surfaces that could be damaged by bleach, such as carpeting or bed linens.
  
  

Washing Machine

• Clothes, towels, bed linens, and similar fabric items infested with mold can be run through the washing machine to get rid of the spores. Use the normal cycle and soap amounts in your laundry load. You may need to run the items through a second cycle if you can still smell mold on the fabrics.
  
  

Items That Cannot Be Washed

• Certain items that cannot be washed thoroughly may need be to thrown out following a mold infestation. These include drywall, ceiling tiles, carpeting, mattresses and furniture. The porous nature of such items means that mold likely has grown, and will continue to grow, in unreachable areas. Cleaning surface mold will not solve your mold problem, and puts your health at risk. It also risks spreading mold outbreaks to other places in your home.
  
  

Precautions in Cleaning Up Mold

• All mold cleaning jobs should be completed with the necessary protective wear. Put on rubber gloves, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants to lessen your skin's exposure to cleaning agents and mold spores. You may also wish to wear protective goggles and a mask, especially if the area in which you're working is not well ventilated.