How to Prevent and Control Mold and Mildew Problems
According to studies, the presence of mold in a building raises the chances of respiratory-related illnesses by up to 50%! If you suspect mold and mildew in your house, it’s important to get it removed as soon as possible. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to prevent and control mold in the home.
Here’s what you need to know.
What Is Mold?
Mold is a type of fungus that grows just about anywhere where moisture is present.
Many people are exposed to mold every day in nature. In small amounts, especially in the open air, mold exposure is harmless. It’s when mold is present in an enclosed area for a long period of time that it becomes an issue.
The more moisture present, the more mold can grow and thrive. The mold then releases spores that you breathe in. This is the cause of mold-related respiratory issues, from simple allergy-like symptoms to asthma.
What Are the Symptoms of Mold Exposure?
There are a lot of possible symptoms that come with mold exposure. The longer you’re exposed, the more serious these symptoms become. Common symptoms of mold exposure include:
- Coughing
- Stuffed nose
- Itchy, red eyes
- Rash
- Sore throat
- Wheezing
If these symptoms go on long enough they can cause serious issues like asthma. They also put those with pre-existing asthma and respiratory issues in danger.
Elderly people and children are at extreme risk when it comes to mold. If you have a home healthcare business or children, you should be very concerned about mold in the home.
How to Prevent Mold and Mildew
If you’re worried about mold, there are a few simple things you can do to prevent it from growing.
The best thing you can do is control the humidity and moisture in your home. If your home gets humid, get a dehumidifier. Set it up in the humid room, or get a few if you have multiple rooms that suffer from humidity.
You need to use a good quality HEPA filter for the best results. This will stop mold from spreading around the room, even if a spore makes its way inside. A quality air purifier will keep your home mold-free no matter what.
Clean up any spills that might happen immediately and thoroughly. Search your home for any leaks and get those fixed asap. Leaks are common causes for mold, especially under bathroom and kitchen sinks.
If you notice mold anywhere in your home, give it a good scrub with a mold-killing solution. Use a harsh brush or scrub until the mold disappears. Monitor the area to make sure mold doesn’t return.
Here are some spots you should regularly check for mold:
- The shower (in the grout, under the sink, around the toilet)
- The kitchen sink (under, and in the basin)
- Ceilings and roof (click this link to learn how to spot roof leak signs)
- Any room with high humidity
- Improperly ventilated rooms
The best way to prevent mold is to perform regular checks and keep a clean, well-ventilated home. Open your window or turn on the bathroom fan when you shower. Open your windows in the summer and prevent humidity.
But what if the mold has already settled in?
How to Remove Mold in the House
If you’ve noticed mold and mildew in your home, it’s time to take immediate action to remove it.
The easiest option is to contact a professional and have them remove the mold. Professional mold removers know the ins-and-outs of mold. They understand how to cut it off at the core and deep clean it to ensure it stays gone.
If the mold gets deep into the walls and ceilings, you’re going to need a professional. In the most serious situations, portions of the wall need to be replaced entirely to get rid of the mold. If you have large patches of mold, lots of mold, or deep-set mold, call a pro.
This can be expensive, but it’s often necessary for more serious mold issues. For new mold issues, though, you may be able to remove the issue on your own. Here are a few things you can try.
Before you get started, make sure you invest in a good scrubbing brush, and protective glasses and gloves. Wear old clothes. You want to reduce your exposure to mold as much as possible.
How to Remove Mold
The first step of removing mold on any surface is to vacuum the area. The vacuum will suck up all the spores in the air, preventing further spread. Remember to discard the spore-filled vacuum bag afterward.
If there’s a visible spot of mold, put on your protective gear and get your scrubbing solution ready. We’ll tell you how to make your own in the next section.
When you put your mold-killing solution on the mold, let it sit for a while. Most store-bought solutions tell you how long to wait. For homemade solutions, wait an hour at least.
Get a harsh brush and scrub the mold away. Use sandpaper for stubborn stains, but be warned — it may damage furniture, particularly wooden furniture. Once the mold is gone, dry the area up and give it another vacuum.
There’s nothing quite as self-empowering as seeing that mold vanish.
Get a Good Scrubbing Solution
If you’re trying to remove mold on your own, prepare to do a lot of scrubbing. To make the job easier, use an effective scrubbing solution.
As previously mentioned, a common scrub consists of a 1/2 cup of bleach, a quart of water, and detergent. You can also use bleach in place of detergent.
Try mixing an equal amount of ammonia and water, and put that in a spray bottle. Do NOT mix this with bleach — if you’re using this spray, make sure not to mix it with black products. Spray it on the mold spot, let it sit for a few hours, then scrub it away.
For hard surfaces, simple white vinegar can work wonders on small mold patches.
If all else fails, get a bleach killing product from the store. These are specifically made for killing mold, and may contain chemicals that work better than the natural solutions in some cases.
Send Mold and Mildew Packing
Follow these helpful tips to prevent mold and mildew before it ever gets started. Sometimes mold is unavoidable, but that doesn’t mean it’s not preventable. Now you know how to scrub it away, and when it’s time to call a professional.
For more lifestyle tips and tricks, check out the rest of our blog.
Samantha Gaines wrote this article on behalf of Free Up. Free Up this the fastest-growing freelance marketplace in the US. Free Up only accepts the top 1% of freelance applicants. Click here to get access to the top freelancers in the world.
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