Mold is one of those sneaky problems that can go unnoticed at first, but it can quickly become serious if left untreated. Maybe it’s the musty odor in your laundry room or a suspicious smudge on the ceiling after a week of heavy humidity. Whatever the case, mold isn’t something to overlook. This guide will walk you through how to clean mold in your house safely, completely, and with the help of the best tools and techniques to prevent future growth. Whether you’re tackling mold on drywall, behind the fridge, or along tile grout lines, these five steps will help you restore your home to a fresher, healthier state. Signs of Mold in the House Before you can clean mold, you need to identify where it’s hiding. Mold typically forms in warm, damp, and low-light environments. These conditions are common in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry areas, basements, and around poorly insulated windows. Here are some warning signs: Black, green, gray, or white patches on walls or ceilings Persistent musty smells, even after cleaning Peeling or bubbling paint or wallpaper Sudden allergy symptoms or breathing issues that ease when you leave the room Pro-tip Mold often hides in places you don’t see. Behind drywall, under flooring, or inside HVAC vents are common locations. If there’s a strong odor but no visible signs, a mold detection kit or a professional inspection may be necessary. To get ahead of mold-prone messes, check out our guide on How to Clean Your Room Like a Pro in Just 1 Hour. It includes quick strategies to keep high-risk areas clean and dry. Health Risks Associated with Mold Mold is more than an eyesore. It can be a serious health hazard. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mold exposure can cause a wide range of symptoms. People with allergies, asthma, or compromised immune systems are especially sensitive. Common reactions to mold include: Nasal congestion and sneezing Chronic coughing or wheezing Eye irritation or skin rashes Fatigue and headaches In some cases, long-term exposure to mold spores can cause more severe respiratory problems. That’s why using proper protective gear and following safe removal techniques is essential. Preparing for Mold Removal Cleaning mold safely requires planning. Mold spores can travel through the air during cleaning, so the goal is to contain them and reduce health risks. What to Wear A tight-fitting N95 or KN95 mask to avoid inhaling spores Non-porous gloves to protect your skin Goggles or safety glasses to prevent eye irritation Long sleeves, pants, and clothing you can wash immediately after use Pro-tip Place a portable air purifier with a HEPA filter in the room before and after cleaning. This helps trap airborne spores that may escape during the scrubbing process. Cleaning Products for Mold Removal Not every mold cleanup requires harsh chemicals. You can often use household staples to treat small patches of mold, especially if you catch it early. Natural Mold Cleaners White Vinegar: Spray undiluted and leave  for at least an hour before wiping. Hydrogen Peroxide (3%): Ideal for porous surfaces like drywall. Apply and leave it for 10 minutes, then scrub and wipe. Baking Soda Paste: Combine baking soda with water to form a paste. Use this on grout and tight corners where mold lingers. Important Never mix vinegar with bleach or ammonia. This creates a chemical reaction that produces toxic fumes. Chemical Cleaners For larger infestations or tougher surfaces: EPA-registered mold removers Diluted bleach (1 cup bleach per gallon of water) for non-porous materials like tile and sealed concrete Isopropyl alcohol (70%) for electronics, tools, and smaller objects Dreame Take A Dreame wet-dry vacuum is ideal for this process. It can remove moisture and debris in one go while sterilizing the brush head for sanitary reuse. Step-by-Step Mold Cleaning Process Step 1: Contain the Area Open windows to allow airflow but close interior doors to prevent spores from spreading Seal off vents, doors, and nearby furniture with plastic sheeting if cleaning a larger mold patch Step 2: Apply Your Cleaner Spray your chosen mold-killing solution onto the affected area  Let it soak for 10 to 60 minutes, depending on severity Step 3: Scrub Gently but Thoroughly Use a stiff-bristled brush or a sponge to scrub surfaces  A toothbrush works great for grout lines.  Scrub lightly on drywall to avoid damage Step 4: Rinse and Wipe Use clean water and a fresh microfiber cloth to remove the cleaner and any remaining mold  Rinse all cleaning tools thoroughly after use. Step 5: Dry the Area Completely Use a fan, dehumidifier, or a wet-dry vacuum to dry the surface. Ensure the area is fully dry to prevent mold from returning Pro Tip: The Dreame H14 Pro not only cleans and dries but also sterilizes itself on its docking base, preventing mold from building up inside the machine. Want to learn how vacuuming helps protect the health of our loved ones at home? See our blog: How to Clean Carpet with Vacuum Cleaner. Can You Clean Black Mold with a HEPA Vacuum Cleaner? The answer is yes, but only if your vacuum includes a certified HEPA filter. Black mold is especially dangerous because it releases more potent spores. A HEPA vacuum traps these tiny particles, keeping them out of your air. Best Uses for HEPA Vacuums During Mold Removal After wiping or scrubbing, use a HEPA vacuum to clean nearby carpets or upholstery Vacuum curtains, rugs, and other soft materials near the affected zone Use it periodically in mold-prone rooms to reduce the buildup of spores Pro-tip Use a HEPA air purifier alongside your vacuum to double your defense. This is especially helpful in bathrooms, basements, or closets with limited airflow. How to Clean Mold Spores in House Mold spores can float through your air and settle in other rooms. Cleaning visible mold is only half the job. Here’s how to get rid of residual spores: Vacuum nearby upholstery, carpet, and drapes with a HEPA-filtered machine Wipe all surrounding surfaces (floors, trim, walls) with soap and water Use air purifiers to clean the air while scrubbing and afterward Replace HVAC filters and have ducts cleaned if you suspect internal spread Dreame Take Smart vacuums like the Dreame Z20 feature HEPA filtration and automatic dustbin emptying. This makes daily maintenance and spore removal nearly effortless. For step-by-step tips on keeping your vacuum effective in mold-prone areas, check out How to Clean Vacuum HEPA Filters. Post-Cleaning Measures and Prevention Reinspect the Area Look for discoloration, smells, or soft spots within 48 hours. Mold can regrow quickly in humid spaces if moisture wasn’t fully removed. Tips to Prevent Future Mold Growth Use dehumidifiers and fans in bathrooms and basements Fix leaks, drips, or condensation problems as soon as they arise Keep windows clean and open them for ventilation when weather permits Vacuum floors regularly with a HEPA-equipped robot vacuum to reduce debris and moisture buildup Store clothing, paper, and electronics in dry, cool areas Pro-tip Use Dreame wet-dry or robot vacuums weekly in kitchens, laundry areas, and bathrooms to maintain cleanliness and control humidity through targeted zone cleaning. Final Thoughts Mold cleanup doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right tools, protective gear, and proactive steps, you can keep your home clean, dry, and mold-free. Don’t wait for mold to spread. Act quickly, use HEPA technology where needed, and stay consistent with maintenance. Let Dreame help make your cleanup process safer and more effective, so your home stays fresh, healthy, and truly yours.

It’s an all-too-common scenario: A homeowner is standing in their basement, flashlight in hand, staring at alarming dark patches spreading across once-pristine walls. The musty odor was the first clue, but seeing fuzzy colonies of mold sends a chill down their spine despite the summer heat outside. Now alert, they notice black mold forming in the corners of other rooms.  Determined to thoroughly understand, the owner goes online to check a tip the neighbor gave: “Does Heat Kill Mold Effectively?” they ask a search site—and find that it does. But heat alone might not be the best solution. How Mold Reacts to Heat Mold thrives in moisture levels above 60% relative humidity amid temperatures between 60-80°F (15-27°C). Limited ventilation and darkness aid its growth as it spreads using seed-like spores so tiny they are undetectable to the unaided human eye.  Spores might sound like a scenario from a science fiction movie, but because they are real they can be eradicated through real actions based on real science. Though ominous to some because it can grow silently and undetected, mold is a manageable organism affected by temperature and other environmental factors. Heat is indeed a crucial component because household mold dies at temperatures above 140°F (60°C). Eliminating spores that spread it is more difficult, requiring temperatures of 160°F (71°C) sustained for several hours. Appliances that scrub the air clean are also important to the effort. Dry Heat vs. Moist Heat: Which Works Better? Boiling water or steam cleaners that reach 212°F (100°C) can kill surface mold, including on walls, while portable heaters can bring the temperature inside a room high enough to have an impact, though professional assistance is advised. Also useful in the fight against mold are HEPA air purifiers such as the heat-enabled Dreame Airpursue PM20 Air Purifier. It dries the air while removing micro-contaminants including airborne mold spores. Such purifiers also help lower the relative humidity to create an environment less hospitable to mold. Warmer, drier air helps keep surfaces dry, deterring condensation that helps mold take hold in the first place. If hot water is used to kill mold, Dreame’s wet and dry vacuum cleaners are excellent for extracting moisture from carpets or floors, either before or after heat treatment. The upright, bagless models offer both dry and wet cleaning with suction power of up to 21,000Pa to remove dirt, debris and micro-organisms from multiple surfaces. Does Heat Kill Black Mold Specifically? Heat can kill black mold along with other types of mold. But ideally it's not the standalone solution. Heat should be used as part of a broader remediation plan that eliminates the sources of moisture that cause mold. A holistic plan also includes manual removal, HEPA filtration and dehumidification. Dreame’s wet dry vacuum cleaners again come in handy, this time for safe removal of moldy water. The advanced technology uses hot water to weaken the organisms while the vacuum removes dead mold and water.  Most indoor heating systems can’t reach the temperatures needed to kill mold and its spores, so multiple portable units can be used to reach the required temperature. But with such high heat involved, professionals should be engaged to assist. Dreame Take Avoid using high heat on large areas or porous materials if you are not a trained professional as it can potentially damage materials or even spread spores if not done correctly. Hands-on techniques for mold removal vary according to the surface. For non-porous surfaces such as tile, glass or sealed wood boiling hot water and scrubbing with a brush or cloth using detergent is effective. Heavily affected porous materials such as drywall, insulation, carpet and fabric might have to be cut out and discarded.  Killing Mold in Hard-to-Reach Places: Spray Bottles and Other Tools Spray bottles with a nozzle can get a cleaning solution into corners and crevices. A microfiber cloth or soft washcloth wrapped around a paint stirrer or toothbrush can also help you scrub tricky spots.  Effective Cleaning Solutions: Bleach: Bleach is effective but should be used with caution due to toxic fumes. Mix one cup of bleach with one gallon of water. Apply the solution to the moldy surface using a sponge or spray bottle. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes, then scrub and rinse thoroughly.   Important NEVER mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaners, as it can create dangerous toxic fumes. White vinegar: Spray undiluted white vinegar directly onto the mold. Let it sit for at least an hour, or even 24 hours for tough spots. Then, scrub with a brush and wipe clean with a damp cloth. Hydrogen peroxide: A 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide is a less harsh alternative to bleach. Spray undiluted 3% hydrogen peroxide directly onto the mold. Let it sit for about 10-30 minutes.   Baking soda: Mix 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda with 2 cups of water in a spray bottle. Spray the moldy area and scrub with a brush.  Afterward: Thorough Cleaning and Drying: After physical removal, clean the entire affected area with a damp cloth and an all-purpose cleaner to pick up any remaining mold particles. Use fans, dehumidifiers and HEPA purifiers for complete drying. HEPA Vacuuming: Once the area is dry, a Dreame wet and dry vacuum can thoroughly remove leftover spores and fine dust.  The advanced appliance captures any residual airborne mold spores and fine dust that traditional vacuums might miss. Clean the canister outdoors to prevent re-releasing spores indoors. Another solution for preventative care is robot vacuums with mops. Unlike traditional robot vacuums that only suck up dirt and dust, these have an integrated mopping system that allows them to handle both dry vacuuming and wet mopping tasks.  They also incorporate advanced navigation systems, sensors, and sometimes AI, to map out homes, avoid obstacles and plan efficient cleaning routes. Dreame Robot Vacuum Cleaners vacuum, mop and navigate with precision to ensure floors are clean and dry. They use powerful suction and rotating brushes (main brush and side brushes) to pick up dust, dirt and other debris from the floor. The mopping action is accomplished using a tank that holds water or a cleaning solution and a microfiber pad or cloth attached to the bottom of the robot that scrubs.  With home floors dust-free, mold re-settlement is discouraged. Why Mold Is So Hard to Eliminate Mold is difficult to eradicate because it's a living organism that only needs moisture and some form of organic material to thrive. It grows rapidly and invisibly in hidden areas, and can cause both property damage and health problems. Effective remediation requires not just cleaning the mold, but thoroughly addressing the causes that enabled it to grow in the first place. Understanding the science behind why mold grows empowers us to eliminate it and ensure it doesn't return. A healthy environment provided by Dreame’s range of indoor air quality and cleaning appliances help eradicate mold, protecting your well-being, property and peace of mind.