How Can I Address Mold Toxicity
Most experts agree that the best treatment for mold toxicity involves two main steps. First, youll want to remove yourself from environments with toxic mold. Then, youll want to take steps to get rid of any mold in your environment.
Other treatment options focus on easing symptoms of mold exposure rather than on removing it from your system. Unless you develop an infection, your body will likely take care of removing the mold on its own.
When it comes to managing the effects of mold, you have many options, including prescription options, over-the-counter treatments, and natural remedies.
Where Does Humidity Come From
Humidity is a common form of moisture in homes and it refers to the amount of water vapor in the air. That being said, it is important to maintain proper humidity levels in your home to keep a healthy and mold-free environment.
Since mold loves moisture, high humidity environments provide one of the three main elements for mold to grow. Since low humidity environment can impact your health , it is important to keep the level of humidity between 30-50%.
The level of humidity can be tested in two ways either you will do it on your own with a hygrometer or you will .
Once you have a good understanding of the humidity levels in your home, you are ready to take further steps to lower it down to the optimal level and keep it that way to prevent mold from growing.
Do not forget, both high and low level of humidity are harmful to your health. By controlling high level of humidity, you will control mold. In addition, by controlling low level, you will control your health.
Humidity can be caused by:
Before you start wondering which daily activities you should or shouldnt be doing, you should know that mold prevention is not about radical moves , but about activities you should do to improve air circulation in your home.
Did you know?
87% of homes we tested have mold?! Find out more exciting mold stats and facts inside our mold statistics page.
How Do You Get Rid Of Mold Spores In Your Lungs
Mold infection is referred to as aspergillosis, and there are different types.
One type is pulmonary aspergillosis, a respiratory issue caused by mold spores already growing inside the lung cavities.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, pulmonary aspergillosis can lead to more severe health issues.
It can cause tuberculosis or sarcoidosis if it doesnt get treated immediately.
The best step is to seek medical attention for proper diagnosis and treatment.
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How To Kill Black Mold
This article was co-authored by Mike Kapur. Mike Kapur is a home inspector and the owner of Sonic Home Inspections, a home inspection company in Westchester, New York. With over 15 years of experience in pre-inspecting properties, Mike specializes in mold, radon, asbestos, lead, water, and air quality testing as well as hazardous materials, pest, infrared, and general home inspections. Prior to founding Sonic Home Inspections, Mike worked pre-inspecting apartments. Mike holds a BS in Accounting from Queens College and is a Certified Mold Assessor in the state of New York.There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 22 testimonials and 87% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 1,274,414 times.
Remove The Source Of Moisture
The best way to control mould growth is to control moisture, so it is important to identify the sources of moisture and remove or control them, else the mould problem is likely to reoccur.Mould will only grow in damp unventilated rooms. Check for sources of water from roofing and plumbing leaks including damaged pipes and drains, and call a plumber if repairs are required and see Mould and your health on the Better Health Channel website for other sources.
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Removing Mold From The Inside Of Your Body
Use antihistamine or inhalers to treat the mold. Your doctor can prescribe the correct medication for your specific needs.
Take herbs that can cleanse your intestinal tract, bowels and stomach. Those areas are the ones that mycotoxins have the most effect on. Use goldenseal, psyllium and cascara sagrada to help rid your body of the toxins.
Add garlic to your diet. Garlic has natural antifungal properties and will help rid your body of mycotoxins 2. Along with garlic, incorporate dandelion and licorice root into your recipes.
Drink plenty of water. Water is an important part of the detox treatment because the water will flush the toxins out of your body.
Tips
Question 1 Of : Can I Remove Mold And Mildew Myself
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How To Remove Mold On The Outside Of A House
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To prevent mold and mildew on the outside of your house, keep shrubs and trees trimmed away from the house.
To remove mold and mildew from your house:
- Mix up a solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water and spray in a pump up sprayer. Allow to remain on for 10-20 minutes, then rinse using a garden hose.
- Mix up a solution of TSP in a bucket, following the directions on the box. Scrub the house with the mixture, using a long handled scrub brush, and rinse.
Watch this video to find out more.
Check The Humidity Level Regularly
The ideal humidity level in the house should be between 30% and 50%. A high level of humidity leads to excess moisture, which creates the perfect conditions for mold to develop. You can check the humidity level by yourself or you can ask professionals to check it for you.
In case your humidity level is high, professionals can immediately check for mold spores and even mold signs. In addition, mold removal experts will advise you on proper dehumidifiers and any additional steps needed to remove mold from your home.
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If You Have Mold In Your Home
Mold can look like spots. It can be many different colors, and it can smell musty. If you see or smell mold, you should remove it. You do not need to know the type of mold.
If mold is growing in your home, you need to clean up the mold and fix the moisture problem. Mold can be removed from hard surfaces with household products, soap and water, or a bleach solution of no more than 1 cup of household laundry bleach in 1 gallon of water.
Mold Spores Do Not Equal New Mold Growth
One of the most intimidating facts you learn about mold is that its basically unstoppable. The spores are everywhere, and at all times there are small, microscopic fungal colonies starting up all over the place.
Its kind of like learning that bacteria are basically everywhere, and theres nothing you can do to truly sterilize your home, your body, or almost any surface.
The upside? Because mold is everywhere, its also not really anywhere. Just because there are spores in the air, landing on surfaces in your home, it doesnt mean that you have to worry about new mold growth popping up all over the place.
You just have to shift your mindset on what causes mold to spring up in your house. Its not necessarily contamination from an outside source. Its that youre providing the ideal environment for mold to grow.
And make no mistake: the conditions that mold needs are quite specific. Consider this study from Dannemiller, et al in the journal Indoor Air. They showed that fungi spores increased with an increase in relative humidity, starting at about the 80% level:
At around 50% relative humidity, the mold spore level was the same as the background tested before the experiment began. As you can see, then, if you are keeping humidity under control, then you wont give the mold a good chance to grow. It really does require some extraordinary moisture to get a mold colony growing!
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Final Word On Black Mold: Best Avoidedbut Not Deadly
As for black molds toxic reputation, those with immune suppression, asthma, or other respiratory problems are most at risk of feeling ill.
Its not likely that youll die from black mold poisoning because its just not that toxic. That said, you should act quickly if you find it in your home. The good news is its treatable, removable, and preventable.
Removing Mold From Structures In Your Home
Unfortunately, according to the Professionals Panel of Surviving Mold, structures made from organic materials, including wood and drywall, will need to be completely replaced if theyre infested with mold or even if only a small amount of mold is present .
This can be quite costly and requires professional help, but is the only way to ensure that the remediation is complete. Its also best to replace caulking and seals in areas that have experienced water damage to ensure that the mold is completely removed.
Water damaged carpeting should also be disposed of. In fact, carpeting in general is a poor choice for flooring because it serves as a reservoir for dust and inactive mold spores. If that carpet becomes wet then mold can rapidly grow out of control. If carpet becomes wet, its recommended that its replaced. If a home has been contaminated with mold but the carpet wasnt wet, the carpet still has to be extensively HEPA filtered and cleaned appropriately with Benefect Decon-30 Disinfectant.
Flexible ductwork and air filters should be completely torn out and replaced too since these are difficult to clean completely. Inadequate cleaning can lead to the reintroduction of mold into the ventilation system of your home .
For the structures that dont need to be replaced, Greg Weatherman, Certified Microbial Consultant , recommends the following steps regarding cleaning .
Multiple attempts at vacuuming may be necessary before the full benefit is realized.
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How To Get Rid Of Mold In Walls
If the wall is made from a non-porous surface, such as finished wood or stone, it must be thoroughly dried. A dehumidifier, proper ventilation or a wet vacuum can be used. Then, a damp wipe down of the area should remove most of the mold. Cleaning products designed for mold removal are helpful, however it is not necessary to bleach moldy areas or use other biocides. If the wall is made from a porous material such as gypsum drywall, wallpaper or unfinished wood, it is not possible to remove all of the mold from the tiny nooks and holes in the wall. The affected section of the wall must be cut out and replaced. This can be very expensive. However, the mold will almost certainly come back otherwise.
Finish the mold removal by using a vacuum with a HEPA filter. A non-HEPA vacuum may not contain the mold spores and can actually spread them into the air. Vacuum the entire area and surrounding areas, even if no mold is visible.
Do not just paint or caulk over mold without removing it. According to the EPA, this will cause the paint to flake and peel, and when the paint comes off, you will still have mold on the wall.
Removing Mold From Books And Papers
Mold will eventually destroy paper, but mold can be removed from books and paper. For expensive books and historically significant papers, consult a professional curator.
Never try to treat damp paper. The mold will smear and become nearly impossible to remove. Allow the paper in books to air dry thoroughly in the sun or place in a sealed container with moisture absorbent material like silica gel or cornstarch sprinkled between the pages.
When the book is dry, head outside and use a soft paintbrush or cloth to gently brush away the mildew from the cover and each page. Slide a sheet of waxed paper under each page to protect the page behind it. Slightly dampen a clean, soft cloth with hydrogen peroxide and gently wipe down each page, allowing it to air dry completely before moving to the next page.
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How Mold Remediation Works
- Inspection: During your homes mold inspection, the specialists will determine the severity of the problem including what areas spores have infiltrated and what type of mold has been found.
- Containing mold growth: Mold can grow quickly under the right conditions. Plus it can move through the air, putting other areas of the home at risk. The first step to mold removal is to seal off the contaminated area to prevent the mold from spreading.
- Controlling Moisture: Since mold spores thrive in a moist environment, the next step to clearing the area of mold is to get rid of any leaks or other moisture problems.
- Cleaning the mold: Once the area is completely dried, HEPA vacuums can be used to remove mold spores form the area , while the infected surfaces are cleaned.
- Cleaning the air: Since mold spores move through the air, it is vital that homes that have been infiltrated with black mold also have their ducts, furnace and air filters thoroughly cleaned to remove all spores from the home.
The Journey From Outdoor Mold Spore To Indoor Mold Problem
Whether out enjoying a hike or inside examining the grocery stores produce section, we are constantly transporting and breathing in tiny mold spores. An open window, a family pet or even your sneakers can bring outdoor spores to a new homeyour home or workplace.
These mold spores can be harmless. However, problems arise if the spores come in contact with a moisture source. Moisture lets the spores grow into mold that could affect health.
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Tips To Keep Mold From Growing
Since mold prefers a dark, humid environment, opening your windows daily to circulate fresh air is an easy way to discourage mold growth. If someone in your family has allergies, do this very early in the morning or late in the afternoon times when pollen counts are at their lowest. If opening your windows isnt possible, at least open your curtains during daylight hours.
Green Ways To Remove Mold In Your Home
Finding mold in the home is always frustrating, whether its a single spot of mold growing on the wall, or an expanding mass taking over the carpet. Many people often dont notice mold until its too late, and though chemicals like bleach or borax can help, some prefer solutions that are less harsh. Thankfully, there are eco-friendly ways to remove mold from your home without harming yourself or your family.
With the right ingredients, many of which are common household materials, you can kill many types of bacteria, fungus, and mold to leave your home looking squeaky clean.
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How Do I Remove Mold From My Composite Deck
Composite decks have risen in popularity over the years because they dont splinter and dont rot due to water damage. Unfortunately, even with their low maintenance, they are still susceptible to mold growth.
If you find that you need to remove mold and mildew from your composite deck, here is a homemade composite deck cleaner that will get you results fast.
DIY Composite Deck Mold Remover Recipe
- 1 gallon of water
- 2 gallons white distilled vinegar
- Baking soda
Use a pressure washer to pressure wash mold off the decking as much as possible. For areas that do not respond to simple high pressure water, mix the water and vinegar in a bucket and stir to combine. Pour the mixture over the mold and sprinkle baking soda over the area.
Allow the mixture to stand for 20 minutes. Use a coarse bristle brush to scrub the area to remove residual mold, mildew, and stains. Rinse the area with clean water. Keep an eye on the area to ensure that the mold does not return.
Does Bleach Kill Mold
When dealing with a mold infestation, you may wonder does bleach kill mold? Fortunately, bleach is a powerful ingredient that can kill virtually every kind of mold, along with its spores, leaving surfaces affected by mildew not only sanitized but resistant to future mold growth.
Unfortunately, using bleach for removing mold is only useful when removing mold from non-porous surfaces like bathtubs, tiles, countertops, and glass. Cleaning black mold spots with bleach on porous surfaces does not work as well, because it doesnt come into contact with the natural mold growing beneath the surface of materials like drywall or wood.
Using chlorine bleach on this kind of moldy surface kills mold on the surface but does not penetrate into the wood or drywall fibers below, allowing mold to grow back and cause even more problems later.
- 1 gallon of water
Bleach produces harsh fumes, so you need to make sure that the area is well vented by turning on an exhaust fan. You also need to protect your hands by wearing rubber gloves during the cleaning process. To make this DIY mold cleaner, add the bleach and water to a large bucket, and apply the solution to the mold growth with a sponge or scrub brush.
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