​The chances of mold growth is extremely high in wet or water damaged areas of a home or business. Water damage restoration companies are aware of the many root causes of mold growth and how to detect it. Mold will darken the corners of a bathroom, walls where piping is closed out in, and on balconies (porches, decks, patios as well). Mold is more than ugly, it is down right risky! Mold can easily build up in wet areas and it can be tough to mold.
 
Mold is very harmful to overall health and wellness. Poison.org says “Indoor mold may be unsightly and smelly, but the potential problems are more serious than that. By definition, actively-growing mold damages the material it lives on, thereby impairing structural integrity. In addition, mold is associated with some untoward health effects in humans, including allergies and infections. (Some health effects attributed to mold may in fact be caused by bacteria, dust mites, etc., found in mold-colonized environments. So-called "toxic mold" has been claimed as the cause of "toxic mold disease"; this syndrome remains undefined and "toxic mold" as a cause remains unproven. "Toxic mold" is also unproven as a cause of the various symptoms associated with "sick building syndrome.”
 
Different types of mold can be the main reason for respiratory diseases, allergic reactions, and many serious health problems. Water damage restoration specialists can remove mold with mold cleaning solutions, but sometimes the size of mold becomes too large, so cleaning alone won’t eliminate the mold. Specific steps need to be taken to properly remove the mold. Make sure the company you contact for help is an IICRC firm. Spotless Janitorial Services in Wichita Ks has been in the restoration and cleaning industry for over 25 years. They’re a great source for information and service.  

​Identifying Mold
 
Microscopic mold presents itself almost everywhere: bathrooms, indoor areas, and outdoor spaces. These microscopic particles can be impossible to see and remove with regular household cleaners. Small black spots that rise into wet places can be dirty debris, or could be mold.
 
For small issues, apply some bleach to identify the issue. If it disappears easily with bleach, then it is definitely mildew. If not, it’s mold. There are two types of black mold: dirt mold and mildew mold. You can identify both of them through bleach. If mold easily removes through bleach then it is mildew mold. If it will not remove through bleach then it will be dirt mold.
 
The worst types of mold are toxic so it is better get help from professionals. Spotless Janitorial Services has been performing mold removal in Wichita Ks and the surrounding areas for over 25 years. Water damage and mold removal experts can completely remove the mold that causes respiratory illness and allergies.  

Professional Services for Mold Removal  
 
Mold is not always in places where you can see it easily. If you know about flooding or extreme moisture, hire insured mold removal experts to clean your home. They will dry the wet areas with the proper industrial equipment, including elimination of hazards in the air.
 
Professional restoration companies can make sure your home or business is entirely free from leaks or other possible places of water entry.
 
Water Damage Restoration and Cleaning services usually include:
 

• Drywall and carpet tear-outs
• Basement Flood Cleanup
• Mold removal and restoration of your area structure
• Mold inspection
• Freshen and odor control
• Emergency and non-emergency situations

 
Some mold removal services also do dust removal and treatment, as well as do indoor and outdoor air quality testing. They use commercial air scrubbers to capture toxins, so you can then use air cleaners to sustain the air quality moving forward.
 
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IICRC, the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification is accountable for providing the highest quality training for individuals and companies in search of cleaning and restoration certifications. It creates certification courses and sets of values to assist the cleaning, inspection, and restoration industry. The certification is aimed at ensuring standards are held in the highest regard for overall health and wellness, integrity of property and products, and professionalism. The cleaning and restoration certification training courses help restoration industry specialists learn how to use technologies and procedures to provide exceptional services.
 
Many cleaning, restoration, and inspection businesses need IICRC, the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification for running their business professionally. Most consumers, residential and commercial, prefer companies that have IICRC certifications. There are many types of certifications required for getting cleaning and restoration work done.
 
IICRC certs help to create success and deliver high-quality results, which are essential to customer satisfaction. With IICRC certifications, you can build trust in customers, and more than likely establish repeat clients.

Providing Proper Training for Employees
 
Most consumers prefer professionals who have already completed their certification training process, especially when it comes to water damage restoration. If you are a business owner providing services that require certification, you should consider hiring individuals who already hold certifications, or be prepared to send them to get the proper training and certifications. Don’t take your credibility for granted. Get certified and sustain it!
 
Common IICRC Standard Guidelines used by Restoration Companies

• Check the home or business for safety and security
• Recognize the cause of water, mold, or other foreign debris and prevent the flow at the source
• Begin industrial-grade dehumidifier process
• Work continuously to stop other water damaged areas
• Execute baseline moisture dimensions using moisture hygrometers, detectors, infrared cameras, and other equipment for water infiltration
• Remove other furniture including mattresses, cushions, and other important materials from the home or business
• Professionals use high-volume directional air movers to speed up the drying of walls, flooring, and ceiling
• Apply biocide to all drenched surfaces to stop microbial growth including mold
• Clean and sterilize the areas that are affected by water 

​Sustaining a great reputation for cleaning and restoration will ensure your business stays IICRC certified and registered. Before a cleaning service company can be certified, all employees must be trained. A professional team has the experience and provide insured services. They have coordinated with an insurance company to keep the claims procedure efficient and effective.
 
IICRC standards are set with compulsory regulations and they have their own extremely high values for work achievement. Pride is established with ownership, skills, quality, and prompt timing. Industry-leading experts for water damage restoration count on IICRC certifications to stay one step ahead of new and emerging risks, and so should you! 

​There are four seasons in a year…if you get sick when the seasons change…it might not be the climate that’s causing the illness! 

The most efficient way to stay clean and healthy is to hire professional restoration companies or cleaning companies. Be sure they use eco-friendly products on all of your surfaces, so there’s no risky residue or toxic debris left behind.
 
For the Die Hard DYI’ers

If you have plenty of free time or LOVE to clean (like us), and want to take care of the cleaning process yourself, turn on some Beastie Boys because it’s bound to get a little bit TRICKY! Here are some of the methods used by the best restoration companies and cleaning companies.

Aspirate
 
Put on a dust mask and BEFORE cleaning heavily soiled spots or areas in carpets, blow dry them or, as professionals like to say, to spoil them. This step helps you remove a good deal of dust and dirt particles impregnated in fabrics. In the heavy traffic area, where you travel more often, you need to run the vacuum cleaner in north, south, east, and west directions to better absorb impurities and to get all of the damaged loose fibers removed.

Soak

Once you have finished vacuuming, find all of the areas that still show damage from stains.  Spray them with ice cold clean water and let the fabric soak for a few minutes.

Wipe excess water with a clean cloth and use solutions that are suitable for the given type of stains; look for products with citrus or eco-friendly elements instead of toxic chemicals.

After the substance that stained your carpet has been soaked, rub the light area with a brush or a microfiber cloth. Now you’re disintegrating the mess! Be patient and repeat these steps instead of trying to rub harder or using harsher products.
 
Vinegar
 
A half-water , half-vinegar solution is ideal for cleaning carpets stained with chocolate, coffee, tea, milk, juice, or wine. After applying the solution, break the stain, then wipe the area with a CLEAN dry cloth.

Shampoo

Carpet shampoo is fairly easy to find in any store. It engages the carpet fiber and dissolves the dirt, neutralizing unpleasant odors after a few treatments. Don’t be alarmed if there’s excess foam. Be patient, let it subside for a few minutes, and then continue shampooing.
 
Borax
 
This is also sold in almost every grocery store or convenience store. After the carpet has been shampooed, sprinkle this powder on the carpet and let it rest for at least half an hour. All you have to do next is vacuum. Basically, the borax and bicarbonate particles only absorb the dirt from the carpet. Microscopic impurities are removed and you will also revitalize the color of the carpet and eliminate unpleasant odors.
 
How long does all this take?
 
Patience young butterflies (and bees). The entire process usually takes a couple of hours per room because you need adequate time between steps to let the products and fibers flex and rest. It’s ideal to ventilate the rooms while cleaning as well. The debris has to evacuate somewhere – your lungs don’t need that problem!
 
For very small carpets, rugs, and doormats it can take as little as 30 to 45 minutes. If you have fancy pants rugs, proceed with extreme caution! You can damage the fibers beyond repair.
 
Bon Voyage
 
Set sail to bacteria from dirt, debris, chemicals, and toxins by deep cleaning at least twice per year. We recommend syncing with the 4 seasons to stay clean and healthy. Just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it isn’t real, living, breathing, and breeding! 

Mold remediation services include repair, remediation, and specialized cleanup service. When you see mold in your home or business, call an expert!
 
Before hiring professional services for mold remediation in Wichita KS be sure to ask the right questions:

• Is the company locally owned and operated?
• Will the company include me in the process every step of the way?
• Are the inspections and quotes free?
• Does the company have its IICRC certification?

 
Spotless certified mold remediation professionals in Wichita can guide you through every step, provide excellence service and price matching if cost is a priority.
 
How to Identify Mold
 
Mold is a fungus that grows from moisture. It is usually first noticed as tiny black spots in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and basements. It can grow in any area of your home or business because there’s hidden plumbing behind the walls. Thermal imaging inspections are highly beneficial in detecting hidden risks that can’t be seen with the naked eye.
 
A moldy surface is NOT the same as a dirty one. To test for mold, simply apply a FEW drops of cleaning bleach on the moldy area. If it lightens after a few minutes then it’s almost always mold. If the mildew or yeast looking area remains dark, it is probably just deep dirt stains that can be cleaned with several sessions of deep cleaning.
 
How to Get Rid of Mold
 
Mold can destroy the integrity of walls, floors, ceilings, carpet, vents, appliances, rugs, frames, and many other items in your home or business. Left untreated, it can be harmful to health. Mold can cause allergic reactions to skin, sneezing problem, as well as irritating odors. 
 
Cleaning products are necessary, and must be on-purpose or you can cause a great risk and inhale fatal toxins! Please call our experts at Spotless for mold remediation in Wichita KS. Our team provides the best solutions so all threats are cleaned and eliminated. Your health is of the highest importance. We use cleaners and air scrubbers to ensure there are no side effects that can negative impact your overall health and wellness.
 
 
Precautionary Measures
 
Before cleaning or checking mold on your own:

• Wear an old outfit and shoes you can discard if necessary
• Set a fan on the window to freshen the room while working and to push out toxins
• Keep your dry or wet vacuum outside after vacuuming, and be sure to deep clean it if you smell an odd odor after 12-24 hours
• Don’t re-use clothes, cloths, towels, or anything else used to clean the moldy area
• Dust masks, respirators, safety glasses, and gloves are helpful as long as you’re using the right ones; give us a call if you need help or advice