How to Safely Clean Up and Prevent Mold Growth:

• Clean up and dry out the building quickly (within 24-48 hours).
• Open doors and windows, and run fans to facilitate rapid drying. Fans placed in windows need to blow out.
• Remove all porous items that have been wet for more than 48 hours and that cannot be thoroughly cleaned and dried.
• Examples of these items include: carpeting, carpet padding, and upholstery; insulation materials, drywall, and wallpaper; leather, paper, and wood; some clothing.
• To prevent mold growth, clean wet items and surfaces with detergent and water.
• To remove mold from hard surfaces, use commercial products, soap and water, or a bleach solution of no more than one cup of bleach per gallon of water. Use a stiff brush on rough surfaces like concrete.
• When cleaning areas greater than ten square feet, refer to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guide titled: Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings at www.epa.gov/mold/mold_remediation.html. This guide includes useful information for buildings of all sizes.

When using bleach, keep these safety tips in mind:

• Follow manufacturer′s instructions when using bleach or other cleaning products.
• Never mix bleach with ammonia or other household cleaners. Mixing bleach with ammonia or other household cleaners will produce dangerous, toxic fumes.
• Open windows and doors to provide fresh air.
• Wear non-porous gloves and protective eye wear.

For more information on personal safety while cleaning up after a natural disaster, visit this web sire http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/workers.asp.

For more information, visit http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/ or call 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636).