Can I clean up black mold myself? Although you can get rid of mild black mold problems yourself, we recommend leaving it to a professional because some species are toxic and cause severe health problems. You can read more about house mold types and black mold vs.

Some pros send samples to a lab and others perform in-house stain tests, though the end results are similar. Mold tests present useful data regarding the type of mold in the home, the toxicity level, the number of spores present in the air and how quickly it's reproducing.

On almost all wood surfaces, distilled white vinegar is a very efficient method to kill mold effectively. It will go through the wood and kill the fungus at its source. Painted or stained wood can be cleaned with a cleaning solution of warm water and dishwashing detergent or laundry detergent.

For a natural solution to getting rid of black mold, combine one part baking soda with five parts distilled white vinegar and five parts water in a spray bottle. Alternatively, you can use a chemical-based mold and mildew remover, all-purpose cleaners, bleach or dish soap.