Community Mold Resources and Recommendations - Ask Extension
Hello, I am a Community Health Worker (CHW) at a primary care clinic in Portland and I’m reaching out to ask about any Healthy Homes resources, guid...
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Community Mold Resources and Recommendations #924261
Asked February 05, 2026, 3:04 PM EST
Hello, I am a Community Health Worker (CHW) at a primary care clinic in Portland and I’m reaching out to ask about any Healthy Homes resources, guidance, or referrals you may offer. I’m supporting a single mother with 2 children under 5 years old who recently discovered an approximately 4 sq ft area of mold behind a soft wall during a weatherization assessment with no follow up information provided. They are living on her parents’ property and do not rent or own the home. They lack the financial means for professional mold remediation, and the property owners (parents) have declined to assist.
I’m hoping for: guidance on when professional mold remediation is recommended, tips on selecting a reputable mold removal service, information on any low-cost, grant-funded, or income-qualified programs that may help with assessment or remediation.
Any insight, referrals, or educational materials would be greatly appreciated. I’m happy to provide additional details if helpful. Thank you for your time and consideration!
Clackamas County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi,
Thank you for the background information that you provided. Right away, I can say that typically, for areas that are greater than 3 foot by 3 foot, I recommend professional mold remediation. However, it sounds like the area that was discovered is smaller than that, at 4 square feet.
If your client is willing and able to do the remediation herself, she can. Since she has young children in the home, out of an abundance of caution, I would recommend doing this when the kids are out of the house. She should wear a mask and gloves, and if she can open the windows for ventilation during the cleaning, that would be great.
To do the actual remediation, I recommend mixing up a solution of half water, and half white vinegar in a spray bottle. Mix well, and then spray the moldy area. The vinegar will kill the mold. Then, using a scrub brush, cloth, or sponge, gently scrub away the mold. Be careful not to damage the wall. If she is worried about it, use an old sponge/rag, and throw it away after cleaning. Once the mold is gone, let the area dry thoroughly. If needed, use a space heater in the space to aid in drying. Below, I've included a link to an infographic with more information about mold and mildew.
If the resident does not want to do the cleanup herself, I've included a link to an EPA page, which provides guidance on what sort of questions to ask professional remediators. That said, the size of the mold is smaller than what most remediators would do, but of course it comes down to the comfort of the resident.
You noted that the mold occurred on a soft wall - it would be worth looking into what may have caused the mold. For example, did the resident have a couch, bed, or other piece of furniture right up against that wall? Is the humidity in the home above 60%? Are there any leaks in the roof? Mold requires moisture to grow. Sometime this just means that moisture has accumulated behind a piece of furniture, so moving the furniture an inch or so away from the wall can fix the problem. Other times, this is due to humidity in the home being too high - dehumidifiers, or regularly opening windows can help fix that. If the resident can figure out what caused the mold to grow in the first place, that will help her prevent it from returning.
Unfortunately, there are not any resources that I can find in Oregon that directly support individual homeowners/renters. There is a program (https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ph/healthyenvironments/healthyneighborhoods/healthyhomesgrantprogram/pages/index.aspx) but it supports larger organizations that can then provide support. However, there is a contact email on that page, if you want to pursue more information.
Other resources:
1. Removing mold - DIY.
https://ehsc.oregonstate.edu/resources/infographics?slide=mold-and-mildew#gallery
2. EPA resource on mold cleanup, and tips for finding professionals: https://www.epa.gov/mold/mold-cleanup-your-home
3. EPA general resource: https://www.epa.gov/mold
I hope this is helpful, and I am happy to answer any follow up questions.
Thank you for the background information that you provided. Right away, I can say that typically, for areas that are greater than 3 foot by 3 foot, I recommend professional mold remediation. However, it sounds like the area that was discovered is smaller than that, at 4 square feet.
If your client is willing and able to do the remediation herself, she can. Since she has young children in the home, out of an abundance of caution, I would recommend doing this when the kids are out of the house. She should wear a mask and gloves, and if she can open the windows for ventilation during the cleaning, that would be great.
To do the actual remediation, I recommend mixing up a solution of half water, and half white vinegar in a spray bottle. Mix well, and then spray the moldy area. The vinegar will kill the mold. Then, using a scrub brush, cloth, or sponge, gently scrub away the mold. Be careful not to damage the wall. If she is worried about it, use an old sponge/rag, and throw it away after cleaning. Once the mold is gone, let the area dry thoroughly. If needed, use a space heater in the space to aid in drying. Below, I've included a link to an infographic with more information about mold and mildew.
If the resident does not want to do the cleanup herself, I've included a link to an EPA page, which provides guidance on what sort of questions to ask professional remediators. That said, the size of the mold is smaller than what most remediators would do, but of course it comes down to the comfort of the resident.
You noted that the mold occurred on a soft wall - it would be worth looking into what may have caused the mold. For example, did the resident have a couch, bed, or other piece of furniture right up against that wall? Is the humidity in the home above 60%? Are there any leaks in the roof? Mold requires moisture to grow. Sometime this just means that moisture has accumulated behind a piece of furniture, so moving the furniture an inch or so away from the wall can fix the problem. Other times, this is due to humidity in the home being too high - dehumidifiers, or regularly opening windows can help fix that. If the resident can figure out what caused the mold to grow in the first place, that will help her prevent it from returning.
Unfortunately, there are not any resources that I can find in Oregon that directly support individual homeowners/renters. There is a program (https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ph/healthyenvironments/healthyneighborhoods/healthyhomesgrantprogram/pages/index.aspx) but it supports larger organizations that can then provide support. However, there is a contact email on that page, if you want to pursue more information.
Other resources:
1. Removing mold - DIY.
https://ehsc.oregonstate.edu/resources/infographics?slide=mold-and-mildew#gallery
2. EPA resource on mold cleanup, and tips for finding professionals: https://www.epa.gov/mold/mold-cleanup-your-home
3. EPA general resource: https://www.epa.gov/mold
I hope this is helpful, and I am happy to answer any follow up questions.
