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It is not recommended to use straight, undiluted bleach to eradicate mold as it can be too harsh and pose potential health risks due to its strong fumes and damaging effects on surfaces. To avoid adverse effects, bleach should be diluted with water in a 1:3 ratio. This ensures effective mold removal while minimizing health risks. 

Mold removal will take between one and five days in most cases, but severe mold issues can take several weeks to correct. Your timeline will depend on how much mold there is in your home, where the mold is located, and how much testing and aftercare is required. If you have mold behind your walls or you have an excessive amount of mold that requires removal and running air scrubbers for several days, you could be looking at over a week for the process to be completed.

If you believe mold is hidden somewhere in your home, don’t delay inspecting it, as it can be dangerous, especially to people with breathing problems and allergies. While it’s possible to learn how to check for mold yourself, we advise most people to hire a professional mold inspector, who can look more thoroughly. You can also purchase mold test kits if you aren’t sure if your home has mold, but a true human inspector is still your best bet.

It’s unlikely your leaves are a hazard, especially if you get to them while they’re dry. However, a couple of rare risks exist. University studies suggest that decaying leaves can produce organochlorines, toxic pollutants similar to man-made PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), so avoid keeping them in an enclosed area.

Also, leaves and compost may cause the growth of fungi that can cause diseases like histoplasmosis and aspergillosis, as well as mold spores that are unhealthy for human lungs. Again, severe issues are rare, but those with compromised immune systems or allergies to mold should wear face masks when directly handling leaves.