Mold is a fungus that’s considered to be hazardous. However, it can develop anywhere inside or outside your home. Some forms of mold (e.g., black mold) produce hazardous chemicals that trigger severe illnesses in people. That’s why homeowners must always ensure that their properties are 100% mold-free at all times.
In some situations, your home insurance policy may not cover the damages resulting from mold infestation in your house. Many homeowners’ insurance policies have exceptions to mold damage. Insurance companies provide minimal or no coverage for mold contamination if the damages from mold were caused by –
- Moisture or water damage from construction projects.
- The inability of the homeowner to repair long-term leaks properly or on time.
- Allowing mold to grow on storage items like tarps, allowing it to travel up the walls.
Thankfully, homeowners can easily avoid these types of situations. They can take extra precautions against mold-related risks during construction or renovation projects in their homes. They can also get high-quality repairs on time. Lastly, they can keep their tarps clean and mold-free by following some basic practices.
Eliminating Mold from Tarps
A high-quality clear tarp will be made of mold-resistant materials like vinyl or polyester. These synthetic and chemically treated materials don’t get damaged by moisture exposure. Hence, they’re not likely to pick up mold spores. However, if you leave your tarp dirty or wet for long periods, it may get covered with mold.
Mold-covered tarps need to be dealt with as rapidly as possible. Or else, the mold may infect the cargo stored underneath the tarp. It may also infect surrounding floors or walls. Anyone that comes in contact with these infestations can fall seriously sick. Thankfully, eliminating mold from tarps is pretty easy.
What Items Will You Need?
To clean mold from your tarp, you will need high-quality, commercial-grade cleaning agents. You can also create your own cleaning agent using –
- ¼-cup of baking soda
- Water
- 2 cups vinegar
Mix up these ingredients to create your cleaning solution.
Eliminating the Mold
Lay out the mold-infected tarp on a flat, preferably outdoor space. Make sure you have room to walk around the tarp. Attach weights to each corner of the tarp to ensure it doesn’t blow away with the wind. Use a simple broom to sweep and rub the tarp clean. At first, the surface dirt on the tarp’s surface will loosen. Then, the mold will also loosen.
Sweep away all the loosened dirt, debris, and mold. Then, take a garden hose and hose down your mold-infested tarp. Spray the water with pressure to ensure all mold loosens up and comes off. After washing the tarp, get your homemade cleaning solution and apply it to the tarp’s surface.
Use a spray bottle to apply the cleaning solution to all parts of the tarp (not just the mold-infested regions). Let the cleaning agent sit for 30 minutes. Then, use a brush to scrub the mold-infested tarp clean. Use a hose to wash the tarp for the second time. Once all mold is eliminated, dry the clean tarp under sunlight.
