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Six questions, about a minute. The checker applies EPA and CDC cleanup guidance to your answers and tells you whether this looks like a job you can handle, what to do first, and when a pro makes more sense. Every rule it uses is listed below with its source.

1. How big is the moldy area?
2. What caused it?
3. What is it growing on?
4. Has the moisture source been fixed?
5. Does anyone who would do the cleanup, or lives in the home, have health concerns?
6. Has it come back after cleaning?

The rules behind the checker

What each answer changes, and where the rule comes from
Your answerWhat the guidance saysSource
Less than about 10 sq ftIn most cases you can handle the job yourself.EPA [1]
More than about 10 sq ftEPA points to its remediation guide for larger jobs, which it says applies to other building types. This site suggests a pro at that size.EPA [1]
You smell mold but cannot see itIf you believe you may have a hidden mold problem, consider hiring an experienced professional.EPA [2]
Sewage or other contaminated waterCall in a professional who has experience cleaning and fixing buildings damaged by contaminated water.EPA [1]
Mold in the heating or cooling systemDo not run the system if you know or suspect it is contaminated with mold.EPA [2]
Drywall, ceiling tile, carpet or insulationAbsorbent or porous materials may have to be thrown away if they become moldy.EPA [1]
The leak is not fixed yetIf you clean up the mold but don't fix the water problem, the mold problem will most likely come back.EPA [2]
Health concerns in the homeConsult a health professional before starting cleanup.EPA [1]

If it is a do-it-yourself job

  1. Fix the water problem first. EPA says the key to mold control is moisture control. [2]
  2. Protect yourself. EPA says you may want to wear an N-95 respirator, and recommends long gloves and goggles without ventilation holes. [2]
  3. Scrub mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water, and dry completely. [1]
  4. If you use bleach, CDC says to use no more than 1 cup of household laundry bleach in 1 gallon of water and never to mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaners. [3] EPA does not recommend biocides like bleach as a routine practice during cleanup. [2]
  5. Do not paint or caulk over moldy surfaces. Clean and dry them first. [1]

Our full guide, Can I clean mold myself?, walks through each step.

Do I need to know what kind of mold it is?

No. CDC says that if you see or smell mold you should remove it, and you do not need to know the type. CDC does not recommend mold testing. [3] Color does not change the cleanup plan.

Common questions

How much mold can I clean myself?

EPA says that if the moldy area is less than about 10 square feet, roughly a 3 ft by 3 ft patch, in most cases you can handle the job yourself. [1]

Should I test the mold before cleaning it?

Usually not. CDC does not recommend mold testing, and says you do not need to know the type of mold to remove it. [3]

Is black mold more dangerous to clean?

CDC says you do not need to know the type of mold and that no matter what type is present, you need to remove it. [3] The size, cause and surface matter more than the color.

Who should not clean up mold?

EPA says to consult a health professional before starting cleanup if you have health concerns. [1] CDC says people with asthma or mold allergies may have severe reactions, and immune-compromised people and people with chronic lung disease may get lung infections from mold. [3]

Sources

  1. Mold Cleanup in Your Home U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, accessed October 12, 2026
  2. A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, accessed October 12, 2026
  3. About Mold and Your Health Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, accessed October 12, 2026
  4. Should You Have the Air Ducts in Your Home Cleaned? (EPA 402-K-97-002, October 1997) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, accessed October 13, 2026