STOP if you see a mold spore and don’t just scrub it! We’ve been told this over and over.
A small bathroom, needed some attention so we used 1 Ozone generator to kill mold before scrubbing and I’ll share my thoughts.
Should You Use An Ozone Generator To Kill Mold Before Scrubbing?
First I want to say that this DIY article about killing mold in a bathroom is definitely a controversial topic.
Our product was provided and I am sharing my REAL results so you can make a GOOD decision!
We chose to use an ozone generator to kill mold before scrubbing our bathroom but, there are things you need to understand before you do the same.
Additionally, this method is not for everyone, but then again, neither is using bleach or vinegar.
As a mom of 3, and a very busy household and kids’ bathroom I’ll be honest, I chose this method to help me get the task done quickly.
Our Series of Challenges That Created Mold
The bathroom we needed to tackle is in the basement.
This bathroom has a very strong ventilation fan (something we invested in) because we knew there were going to be ventilation challenges as the bathroom is in a high usage area.
There are no windows as it is in an underground location that has no option for windows.
The bathroom is not large, it holds a shower, toilet, and sink and is there for convenience, sweaty boys after sports and their friends.
That said, the steam created from the endless hot water showers with boys who think there is no end to hot water continues daily.
In fact, I am good with that because they are cleaning up, but the aftermath of a steamed up, no window, fan only space is mold.
Round 2 For DIY Bathroom Cleaning. We’ve Tried Cleaning Mold Spores Before
Unfortunately, we’ve got a similar situation in another bathroom in our home.
However, unlike the basement bathroom, the bathroom in another room has a window that does not open.
After showers, while there is a fan, there is not a window that opens and well, that led to mold.
No matter how many times we used vinegar, oh how bad that smells, or bleach that wreaks havoc on our lungs, the spores just came back.
So, I considered this issue my own personal challenge to stop the insanity differently and that is where the Ozone generator came into play!
I Used an Ozone Generator To Kill Mold Before Scrubbing
After doing a lot of research, I learned a few things that I had previously not known about!
- You should not scrub mold, it can spread and black mold is the worst!
- Ventilation is a must when you work with an Ozone Generator.
- Do not go into the room that the Ozone Generator is functioning in for at least 1/2 of an hour after the cycle ends.
- Never let your pets in an area where the ozone generator is on and working, and if possible keep them away for up to 2 hours after.
- If you have a window, in the room you are working with, open it and let it open while you are using the generator.
- Open any windows in the rooms that surround that room if you can
- Use a mask once you reenter the room.
- Continue running the fan.
Some of these tips were on the website of Airthereal from which we received the Ozone Generator.
Contractor Friend Tips For Uses of an Ozone Generator
My friend flips houses and has a bunch of apartments that he rents.
When he initially buys a place, it often has mold, smells, and needs a lot of work.
So, they have a larger Ozone Generator and he explained to me how to work with mold based on their use.
His advice was solid!
In apartment units that he rents, he actually uses the Ozone Generator to rid horrible smells left by tenants.
The Ozone Generator effectively removes bad odors but you have to get in there first and remove the item producing the smell, such as ashes left in buckets, food not properly disposed of, dead florals left behind, smelly sofas, throw carpets, etc.
Once you get the smell maker out of the area, then you can use the ozone generator to produce ozone and it will then destroy the nasty stinky odor molecules.
MOLD REMOVAL and the Ozone Generator
Again, I heeded the advice of my contractor, landlord friend to clean the bathrooms with some mold in them.
Once we received our Airthreal MA5000 Ozone Generator we did all of the following.
First, I made sure my cat had no access to the basement for the day!
Second, I ran the fan and opened the windows in the basement, albeit not in the bathroom.
Third, we set the timer on our MA5000 Ozone Generator for 30 minutes and allowed the appliance to do its thing so we could then do ours.
After the MA5000 Ozone Generator Cycled Here was the rest of our DIY
Once it was done, we reentered the room and began scrubbing, the mold off the walls, that had been sucked free of its garbage (for lack of a better term).
We had masks on, and we cleaned.
The results before and after were perfect.
After cleaning, with nothing other than a white scrubby eraser sponge and following with disposable paper towels, we ran the machine again, to clean up anything else that had been airborne generated in the room.
We disposed of the masks, and the paper towels in 1 bag, tossed our clothes in the laundry, and did them as a separate load in hot water with detergent and vinegar.
And we’ve lived happily ever after once again!
Overall Opinion Of What I Thought Would Happen Using The Ozone Generator
I thought that the mold would just kind of dry up and then be easier to clean up.
In fact, that is not the case, but what we did eliminate were the awful mold spores flying as that is what the Ozone generator depleted.
We still had to scrub, but we scrubbed knowing that the spores were dead.
In other words, the mold does not disintegrate, rather the spores are killed.
It was an easy process and the hardest part was finding the time and making sure the cat never got downstairs by barricading the door and reminding everyone in the house that she could not go down.
Where Else Will I Use The MA5000 Ozone Generator?
I do know that I loved the clean smell after using the MA5000 Ozone Generator and it reminded me of walking into a hotel room, well a CLEAN hotel room.
For those that have a car that carries hockey bags, stinky workout equipment, or delivery vehicles with the smell of food in them, this is a must!
A laundry room that gets heavy usage is also another great space to use this in, or a teen’s room while they are at school to get that funky smell out of there!
I plan on using it on the interior of the car and how perfect as the windows can all be opened after it cleans and cracked when it is cycling.
The ROI on this little machine is huge and well you can welcome back that clean car smell using this.
Again, no one should ever be in the area that the MA5000 Ozone Generator is functioning in and all the above rules I mentioned apply to using this in any room.
Also, make certain you have the appropriate-size ozone generator for the room you are going to use it in, as there are different sizes for different rooms, and using one that is too small will not be helpful.
Would I Suggest An Ozone Generator As A Way To Clean Mold, and Freshen Stale Smelling Spaces?
I have nothing negative to say about using my MA5000 Ozone Generator.
Would I suggest this as a way to clean mold or freshen stale-smelling spaces?
YES!
However, you do need to remember not to use this in a room with anyone in it from pets to people.
Adhere to the rules of safe usage and it is a perfect way to freshen stale and musty smelling spaces.
As for mold, I am happy we used this to free it of its harmful substances, but remember we still had to scrub it away.
We did not need to use chemicals which is another great reason we chose this method.
After cleaning the space, we have placed a dehumidifier in the room so that we don’t have to do this again.
Since there are additional ways to use the MA5000 Ozone Generator, I would definitely purchase it again. ~ Dana XO
DISCLAIMER For Reference
*I am not a professional medical person, and the item used in the above post was an item I elected to use, based on others’ references of the product. This product may not be suitable for everyone in their living spaces. Consult with your doctor and those in the construction industry before using the product in order to have a full understanding of its boundaries, limitations, and effects it can have.
The information on DanaVento.com is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be substituted for the advice provided by your doctor or other healthcare professional. If you rely upon any programs or techniques or use any of the products and services made available by or through the use of our website for decision making, without obtaining the advice of a physician or other healthcare professional, you do so at your own risk. The nutritional and other information on our website is not intended to be and does not constitute health care or medical advice.
If you choose to purchase and use this product you do so on your own and with your own free choice, not due to this recommendation, and Dana Vento, DanaVento.Com & all social media connected are not liable for your choice or usage of the listed and mentioned products.
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