Disclaimer: The following article is based on the author’s opinion, facts, consultation with top experts who have opined that HomeCleanse did not exercise the standard of care and was negligent in their services provided to the author, and communications with others knowledgeable of HomeCleanse’s work. This article is not written with the intent of malice, but rather with the intent of informing the public and helping others similarly situated to achieve justice.

I reached out to Michael Rubino, author of “The Mold Medic” and purported president of HomeCleanse at the time per his LinkedIn1 and a contract we signed with him2 (he later said he is the chairman of the board of HomeCleanse and not involved in daily operations in an e-mail3) when I discovered mold was a perpetual problem in my home. I expected to return to a comfortable environment, especially since we were spending $150,000 on remediation - which Rubino orally promised to reduce but did not. (In hindsight, one of the oddest things was HomeCleanse provided a “Treatment Plan”, indicating their profit on the job was a mere $16,160.62. What is also bizarre is no where in their invoice do they show how much “hush money” they give out, but a credible source has informed me that they provided money in exchange for not saying anything negative about the company.) However, what I got in return was not that at all. I remain a nomad since March 17, 2025, when HomeCleanse began “remediating” my home. The reports, the pictures and the smell - speak for themselves.

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You would think that a remediation lasting over 20 days per our Treatment Plan (see below), we would get a thorough job. While our home is approximately 5,000 square feet, it’s nowhere near the size of the Biltmore Estate. However, corners were cut and large holes from the living room to the basement and in the attic were made.

First I must add that despite having prior mold inspections, HomeCleanse told us they did not have “enough information” and referred us to WeInspect for a mold inspection. In fact, Rick Rubino of HomeCleanse (who appears to be Michael Rubino’s father), said he could “assist” us in arranging for an inspection by WeInspect, indicating a relationship between the companies - see e-mail below.

HomeCleanse was paid over $130,000 and rather than fully remediate, HomeCleanse wrapped some items in plastic wrap, leaving behind Cladosporium, Chaetomium, and Aspergillus/Penicillium along with holes resulting in structural damage to my home and a noxious odor that has displaced me from my home since March 17, 2025

At the time I did not know of the familial connection and this conflict of interest was not disclosed to us. In fact, the family continues to deny this conflict of interest4. Change the Air, despite having Rubino as the chair and being on videos for Change the Air with his company logo in the background and speaking about his company in videos, also deny having any conflict of interest. It’s worth noting in tax documents Change the Air’s address is the exact same address for HomeCleanse’s business address5.

WeInspect conducted an inspection, which cost over $10,000 and there were areas I had to point out to them to ensure they tested, such as the spot beneath the refrigerator, which you will see below, and had mold - if I had not pointed this out to them, I do not think they would have tested this area. You would think for this amount of money and how WeInspect advertises itself I would not have to babysit them and tell them how to do their work.

Ironically, however, HomeCleanse did not follow the remediation guidelines set forth by WeInspect, which would be a violation of the law in some states such as Texas. I look forward to seeing Michael Rubino’s brother-in-law and cousin being subpoeaned to testify against them.

WeInspect’s report states the remediator should use “non-toxic environmentally safe solution (to be approved by client prior to use)”. - see the portion of their report below. This did not happen. HomeCleanse still hasn’t informed us what products they used, but we know they used spray foam, which is inherently toxic. Clearly this product wouldn’t meet the approval of WeInspect. Additionally we did not approve the use of toxic products that would release a noxious odor, making our home inhabitable.

WeInspect’s report states below we are also to be supplied with material data safety sheets for products, which you will recall from my prior report, to this date, they still have not provided.

It’s unclear if HomeCleanse violated the contract by saying they would encapsulate or if they failed to provide us the safety data sheet for the product. In any event, they WeInspect’s report states encapsulant is only to be used possibly in the crawl space, as noted below. However, as you will see below, HomeCleanse did a huge paint job in my home.

Rather than fully remediate, HomeCleanse wrapped some items in plastic wrap, leaving behind the mold you see on that cupboard below. No wonder when we unwrapped the cupboard and conducted a further test elevated levels of Cladosporium, Chaetomium, Aspergillus/Penicillium were present - see below.

In the areas HomeCleanse opted to remediate, it looks like they went a bit too far…

“If your insulation blocks your soffit vents or if you don’t have soffit vents to begin with, the attic may not be properly ventilated.” (The Mold Medic, pg. 94)

Here’s part of my “remediation” report from HomeCleanse6 - as you can see they painted EVERYTHING as far as the eye can see, including our ridge vents, which are essentially the “inside” part of the soffit vents, as explained by my general contractor and internet research7.

Here is a close-up of the painted ridge vents taken by our GC.

The basement also got a big paint job. Check out the video below.

Many other parts of the home were painted too.

Here you can see the area where they made a large hole in the living room floor to the basement that had to be repaired.

Even my office, which historically has always been one of the areas with the least amount of mold was painted.

(P.S. Maybe I need to put more crosses and Biblical quote around the home…maybe that’s what’s been keeping my office safe!)

“We highly recommend avoiding spray foam when possible […] my opinions is to avoid it where possible, especially if you or someone in your family is sensitive to mold” (The Mold Medic, pg. 101-102)

It’s not just Rubino’s book that criticizes spray foam, but HomeCleanse’s own webpage8. Rubino also posted about his criticism of spray foam on Instagram9.

Below are photos of such spray foam HomeCleanse used in my home.

Not only is spray foam apparently a mold risk, per Rubino, but it is also TOXIC per the EPA. Not exactly the type of thing you think a company that prides itself in remediating homes for chemically-sensitive people would use. The fact that the safety data sheet for the spray foam product was never provided to me concerns me it was not provided to HomeCleanse’s workers, who are even more at risk to spray foam10.

“If you’ve ever had the unfortunate pleasure of seeing our work, you’d know that when we are done, the space is so clean you could eat off the floor. We use hydrogen peroxide as a preliminary treatment, then a botanical antimicrobial, then finally we use a zero-volatile organic compound (VOC) encapsulate. The technique with which we apply the products and the care with which we work to restore the space are unparalleled.” (The Mold Medic, pg. 52)

Mr. Rubino, I would like to know, would you eat off this floor, because this is what your workers left. My partner even found an empty soda bottle discarded by HomeCleanse.

Rubino criticizes “unethical business owners” who prey on people in his book (pg. 111), but I would say he is doing just that - and at a much higher price than other businesses.

What’s worse is the smell. HomeCleanse’s contract states they would use a zero-VOC product, but the stench in my home is WORSE than before HomeCleanse entered. In fact, the home did not have such odor before.

Over concern of what products were used in my home, I demanded such, but HomeCleanse continually denied to give them to me, and even argued they were proprietary. However, after much argument, I finally got some of the safety data sheets, not from HomeCleanse, as I am entitled to such, but from my partner11. In fact, HomeCleanse’s CEO - John Cucciniello - said he would no longer communicate to me, and in apparent retaliation to my reporting HomeCleanse to the IICRC (see prior post), said he was reporting me to the state bar. The problem is that no where did I see any safety data sheet for any encapsulating product. The problem is that Rubino is apparently exercising no oversight - he is merely on the board of HomeCleanse now with Gwyneth Paltrow, and Deepak Chopra, who in my opinion, are not experts on mold remediation nor indoor air quality. The problem is was anyone certified to do anything in my home?

Can a company president really revoke accountability by later becoming chairman of the board of the company?

Odd how a review of the safety data sheets does not indicate that an encapsulating product was used. However, the information provided does indicate they used Sentinel 24-7 Zero White Mold & Mildew Resistant Coating. I have consulted with experts who have pointed out the concern that a clear product was not used and that post-testing verification was not done before the product was applied. Sentinel does make this same product, but in clear12. They even have a product that is not only similar and clear, but premium13. You would think that for $150,000 - the cost of a home in some areas! - I would get something premium, but nope. I have consulted with experts and the consensus is clear - the fact that a white product was used and testing was not conducted prior to the painting indicates mold could be hiding - essentially just painting over it as Rubino states in his book should not be done.

I did get a few new holes in my home though, including a hole in the living room leading down to the basement, requiring a structural engineer to inspect my home to assess how the subfloor could be re-built due to the structural damage HomeCleanse caused to my home.

And here’s a hole in the ceiling HomeCleanse appears to have made while in the attic.

The work performed by HomeCleanse was so sloppy, they spray painted their own space heater, and with a substance that may have been flammable. In any event, after reviewing the safety data sheets of SOME of the products they used (because they have refused to provide all of the safety data sheets), which contain known carcinogens, I would not use this space heater.

HomeCleanse also painted our hot water heater filter, requiring replacement, discarded the evaporator coil from our HVAC system which also requied replacement, and further showed they were reckless in keeping the refrigerator plugged in and wrapping it in plastic wrap, creating a fire hazard again.

“You have to understand that clients look to us as professionals to guide them. Their goal isn’t to have two clean air samples. Their goal is to get back into their homes. The valuable final product that we offer as a company is a client getting back into their home […]

We forget that as professionals who are operating from contracts. It’s easy to say ‘Well, our contract is complete. We did the scope of work.’ The clients don’t care about the scope of work; they expected that scope of work to make them feel better! […]

I am not interested in profiting if the clients is not also profiting by achieving what they want to achieve. We have a responsibility to the industry to achieve what we aim to achieve on every single project.” (The Mold Medic, pg. 113-114, 116)

Mr. Rubino, the work is incomplete at my house. But I don’t know if you can finish it because of the products you used, causing a noxious odor, requiring testing to ensure the safety of my home. I remain a nomad since March 17, 2025, not able to live in the home you promised you would fix and you still have over $130,000 in your pocket from me.

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In a video by the company, Rubino states “Using both science and cutting-edge technology, our revolutionary protocols go beyond the average remediation standards and remove not only mold but also mycotoxins and bacteria as well. We’ll also work closely with your doctor to ensure we’re on track for success so that when we leave, you and your family will have a safe environment to heal in.”15 This has not been the case for me. If Rubino spoke to my healthcare providers, they would tell him I remain without my home due to the “remediation” and by some miracle I am not more emotionally distressed over it - and the fact that HomeCleanse is trying to get me disbarred in retaliation for reporting them to the IICRC (see my prior post), among other.

It’s a joke, in my opinion, the company purports to practice the core values of “C.A.R.E.” per their website16:

“Clarity - The clarity at our core between our staff and our clients allows us to provide a clear path to improve your health.

Accountability - Each day we hold ourselves accountable for the behavior, performance, decisions, and actions of our personnel, products, and services.

Responsibility - Each employee not only cares deeply but also takes responsibility for your home as if it were their own. We don’t just rely on a job well done, we take responsibility to scientifically remove the indoor pathogens harming your family.

Elevation - We strive to constantly change, adapt, and improve our technology to enable our entire staff to better serve, educate, and help our clients.”

It’s June 8, 2025 today and since HomeCleanse began “remediating” my home on March 17, 2025, I have not been able to return to my home to reside there. HomeCleanse claims they finished the work, but they did not. There is STILL mold. We await VOC test results due to the noxious odor of the chemicals they used and they still fail to disclose to us. We are also conducting forensic testing of samples of materials they painted to ascertain what products they used and ensure the safety of our home. We will likely need a high-tech air ventilation system to remove the noxious odors from the home before we consider residing there again. Stay tuned for updates.

In my opinion, based on my experience, HomeCleanse has not aided in a “clear path to improve [my] health”. They have not held themselves accountable. They have not been responsible. In my opinion, based on my experience, I believe other companies would act above HomeCleanse. Unfortunately, HomeCleanse does not seem to CARE - in my opinion, based on my experience. And what is even more concerning is I am not the only one who has been harmed. Credible sources have informed me they have suffered similarly or even worse from the conduct of HomeCleanse, who conveniently, like WeInspect, per my credible sources, has a habit of paying people to stay quiet. In fact, HomeCleanse has demanded that I not speak of them either despite the fact I am required to by law due to underlying litigation concerning the sale of my home -

this is called obstruction of justice and it’s against the law.

P.S. Don’t bother telling me to contact Kristina Baehr/Just Well Law Law. I already have. Multiple times. First of all, Kristina appears to promote HomeCleanse and WeInspect. When I e-mailed her and the attorneys on her listserv not just about this situation and my concern this was happening to others, but my concern over the familial relationship between WeInspect and HomeCleanse. No one responded. No wonder I can’t get Michael Jackson’s song “They Don’t [C.A.R.E.] About Us” out of my head for the past week.