• Hint of black mold growing on a wallold wall image by astoria from Fotolia.com
  
  Black mold is a fungus that affects damp walls and leather articles, causing black spots to appear. These black spots are dangerous because they not only affect the look of the affected articles but can affect you as well. Black mold leads to persistent coughs in the inhabitants of the house, something akin to asthma and flu, and can lead to neurological damage, according to the Toxic Black Mold Information Center. It is mainly seen in areas of high humidity and in water-damaged structures. Certain home remedies may help you get rid of this infection.
  
  

Alcohol and Water

• A solution of water and alcohol can help in treating black mold.alcohol image by timur1970 from Fotolia.com
  
  Black mold can affect leather articles that are exposed to moisture. To remove mold from such leather articles use a solution of alcohol and water in a 1:1 proportion. A clean cloth should be dipped in the solution and used to remove the mold, taking care that none of the mold falls on the ground. The leather article should be wiped all over with another lint-free cloth also dipped in the solution, to kill any developing mold. Then wipe the article dry and wax it to prevent further growth of mold. Vinyl records may also be wiped with rubbing alcohol. Alcohol may be effective on leather, which cannot withstand harsher treatment, but it may not remove the fungus permanently, according to BlackMoldRemovalGuide.com.
  
  

Bleach

• Bleach can be an effective disinfectant for treating black mold. Make sure the article or the wall is sprinkled generously with bleaching powder that is left in place for six to seven hours, preferably overnight. If the area affected is the bathroom floor, remember to seal the door and seal off ventilation to make sure that the spread of spores is limited. Pour a solution of bleaching powder and water over the floor and scrub the floor with a hard brush to remove all traces of black mold. After one day, repeat the treatment with a hard sponge. Later an object may be exposed to sunlight to prevent the recurrence of the mold. This should remove all the traces of black mold. If it recurs, seek professional help.
  
  

Soap and Disinfectant

• Phenols and hydrogen peroxide are common disinfectants.bottles of cleaning product. bleach. disinfectant. image by L. Shat from Fotolia.com
  
  If the mold-infected surface is dry, like vinyl, leather or books, try wiping the mold with a slightly damp cloth dipped in a concentrated soap and water solution. You could also use common disinfectants like phenol peroxide and iodophorsm, according to PickyGuide.com. As these substances are toxic, wear rubber gloves to avoid skin contact. Use a dry cloth to wipe away wetness, and then expose the articles to the sun. Though all visible signs of mold may have disappeared, it may still exist microscopically; hence exposure to the sun is required for complete removal.
  
  

Structural and Preventative Remedies

• Molds occur mainly in houses that are not properly ventilated or where there is a plumbing problem. Try and identify the source of the moisture and eliminate it. If the surrounding area is also affected by molds, try installing exhaust fans or dehumidifiers. Make sure that the room prone to molds is kept dry and cleaned weekly. Monitor the humidity level in your house by installing equipment like a humidity sensor. Being proactive is better than being reactive in this case, because black mold can seriously impact family health and finances.