Can You Recommend Any Nontoxic Mold Treatments?

Gina Solomon responds:

No, it's not safe to spend hours in a damp basement that has signs of mold!  
 
If your basement is damp, then that's the problem you should focus on, rather than the mold. It is critical that you work on finding ways to dry out the area. First, determine whether you have a water intrusion problem. Dampness in homes (regardless of the presence of mold) has been linked scientifically to respiratory problems among inhabitants. So try to figure out the source of the moisture and get rid of it. If there is no water intrusion, perhaps you could try a dehumidifier. There are relatively inexpensive instruments to test for humidity, so it's worth putting one in the basement. It's best to keep the humidity between 30 and 60 percent.  
 
If there is mold on permeable surfaces (such as carpets, drywall, etc.), then the material needs to be safely removed and disposed of. If the mold is on hard surfaces (studs, concrete), then it can be cleaned off with a wire brush and a 10 percent bleach solution. Studs should be sanded down as well. If the moldy area is larger than about a yard in diameter, get a professional to do the work, and make sure he or she uses appropriate protection. If it's a small area, then you could probably do the cleanup, but wear an N95 mask from the hardware store.