>Go unclog it for her. Shes probably embarrassed
Not gonna search for the meme right now, but it says something like, "Everyone's an atheist until they clog the toilet at their freind's party."
>Wash the walls with a mild bleach solution.
The professional mold removal guy near me says no bleach. It'll get worse in the future. He uses a proprietary solution which is basically washing soda (not baking soda) and water with a bit of detergent. It follows the mold into into every nook and cranny and kills it dead. Only downside is it messes up aluminimum pretty quickly so avoid that and/or wipe it off quickly.
>Its under the carpet. I need to steam clean or something.
Before you rip up the carpet and padding, you might try mixing a small amount of washing soda (not baking soda) into the steam cleaning solution and steam clean with that. Washing soda kills mold and shouldn't mess up the carpet.
I asked Gemini about mold remediation (sorry about the wall of text):
Q: A mold remediator told me bleach was a poor choice for mold. He recommended a solution of washing soda and water with a small amount of detergent added. what do you say?
Answer:
That is consistent with what many professionals and organizations recommend, especially for mold on porous surfaces.
Here's a breakdown of why the remediator's advice makes sense:
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Why Bleach is a "Poor Choice" for Mold
Ineffective on Porous Materials: Mold has roots (hyphae) that grow deep into porous materials like wood, drywall, and grout. Household bleach is mostly water (about 90%) and the chlorine cannot penetrate deeply enough to kill these roots. It often only bleaches the color out of the surface mold, making it invisible, but leaving the roots intact to regrow.
Adds Water: Since bleach is mostly water, spraying it on moldy porous surfaces can actually add moisture, which is what mold needs to grow.
Health and Safety Risks: Bleach is corrosive, gives off strong fumes, and should never be mixed with ammonia or other cleaners (including some detergents) as it can create toxic chlorine gas.
Not Recommended by Major Agencies: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) generally recommends scrubbing mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water and drying completely. They do not recommend the routine use of biocides like chlorine bleach for mold cleanup, especially if the mold is on porous materials.
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Why Washing Soda and Detergent is Recommended
Washing Soda (Sodium Carbonate):
It is an alkaline substance (high pH). Mold tends to prefer a slightly acidic environment, so increasing the alkalinity of the surface can make it a less hospitable place for mold to grow.
It is a good cleaner and degreaser, which helps to break down the mold and the organic material it is feeding on.
Detergent (Soap):
Detergent contains surfactants (like the ones in dish soap) that are designed to help a cleaning solution penetrate porous materials and lift away organic matter, dirt, and oil.
This lifting action physically removes the mold, which is the most critical step in remediation.
In summary: The solution of washing soda and detergent is primarily a strong, non-toxic cleaner that focuses on physically removing the mold growth and leaving an alkaline residue that is less conducive to regrowth, which aligns with professional best practices.
Important Note: For large areas of mold (more than about 10 square feet), or if you suspect mold is growing inside walls or HVAC systems, it is generally recommended to consult a certified mold remediator, as the root of the moisture problem must be fixed first, and the cleanup may require specialized equipment and containment.
is there a scratch and sniff sample page?