Posted 7/3/2019 11:26 PM (GMT 0)
Donna - You might have meant to start a new thread for your post, since it's not about mold removal? Happy to chat about appointments!
Delisa - Borax is abrasive and a surfactant, so it basically scrapes and glides mold off of things. Killing mold (like with vinegar or bleach) is okay if you do it outdoors or in a space where you can let the item air out fully ventilate with fresh air for a long time before any sensitive individuals get nearby. Killing mold stops mold growth and reproduction, obviously, which is good, but it releases the mycotoxins, making mold toxicity much worse. Mycotoxins have much smaller particulate size than mold spores and are very hard to avoid, such that they can move through porous materials, get through many respirators and dust masks, avoid capture in many air purifiers, and even go through eyes and skin. Killing mold isn't necessarily bad as long as you're not around in the immediate aftermath. I believe that the protocol you outlined should work to clean and protect a piece of furniture, but if possible wear protective gear, have someone else do it for you, or do it outdoors. Make sure everything dries very thoroughly before sealing it and bringing it indoors.
(This is just based on what I have read and conversations with my mold inspector. I do not have a microbiology background!)