Black mold is found in your home. What is the next appropriate step? If the black mold is contained to one area of your home follow these tips to prevent its spread to the remainder of the home. Before you do this make sure you have solved the moisture issue that has caused this problem. Also make sure the humidity in your home is below 55% and verified with a quality hygrometer and set a dehumidifier in the mold area to reduce the humidity in the air.

You will minimize the damage of toxic black mold by addressing it head-on. The mold germinates in 24-48 hours and after that time it sends spores into the atmosphere which can be spread throughout your home. 

1. Each space should be cleaned separately and your heating and cooling systems should be completely shut down. 
2. First you will want to seal-off the affected area to contain the mold spores. Use 6 mil plastic to completely seal off all spaces, doors, openings and duct supplies and returns. Seal plastic to all surfaces tightly with duct tape. If possible try to set an exhaust fan in a open or partial open door or window that opens directly to the exterior of your home. This will create a slightly negative pressure within the sealed area and spores will be less likely to travel out of the contained area.
3. You also may want to make use of an air purifier to scrub the air and remove mold spores that are already airborne. Make sure the air purifier has a HEPA filter, Germicidal UV Lamp, Ionizer and Anti-Bacterial Pre-Filter to assure all spore particles are filter out of the air.
4. If the surfaces to be cleaned are now dry because you eliminated the moisture source, lightly mist these surfaces with water. You should mist the surface as this will lessen the chance of mold spores escaping into the air. And this would especially be true if you disturb a dry surface.
5. Once the area has been misted (if that was required) clean the affected area(s) with a clean sponge and a bucket with detergent and remove as much of the mold as possible.
6. Next it will be necessary for you to apply a disinfectant to kill mold spores that were not picked up during your cleaning is the above step. Make sure you clean all areas of the sealed area even if they don't appear to be affected. Also apply the disinfectant to all surfaces to kill all visible and invisible mold spores.
7. Make sure the area completely dries.
8. Non-porous materials may be cleaned and reused. Non-porous materials can be cleaned and reused if the mold damage is not too severe. If it is too severe the porous materials should be disposed. Examples of porous materials are ceiling tile, carpet, wallboard, furnishings, clothes, papers, books, insulation etc.
9. Remove mold infected materials and place into heavy plastic contractor bags. These bags should be deposited directly outdoors through a window or door and you should not carry them throughout the house. Dispose them in a landfill.
10. When the area is completely dry, and all visable indications that the mold has been removed, you have coated all areas with disinfected, remove all plastic and tape. Keep the Air Purifier running in he space just in case there are any lingering mold spores.

When you clean mold you definitely need to protect your own health as well. Wear a respirator with a N95 or TC-21C filter system. Wear protective clothing to protect you from skin contact. This could be a Tyvek suit. Also wear rubber gloves and sealed eye protection. Ask all family members to evacuate the house while cleaning in going on and to return only when everything is dried and all traces of mold is removed.

Please note that your HVAC system may also need cleaning. You should replace the filter with a HEPA filter, clean the drain pan, clean the cooling coil and remove and replace any exposed insulation within the ductwork. Have ducts professionally cleaned only if they are dirty.