More Tips To Help Prevent Mold From Entering Your Home
Ventilate as often as you can double-glazed windows encourage condensation. It is good to leave the windows wide open for at least 10-15 minutes, at least twice a day
Ventilate the bathroom after each shower the high humidity in the bathroom increases the risk of mold. After the shower, ventilate or open the window . If the space allows you and the humidity level is very high , you can install a special bathroom fan to remove water vapor from the room
Ventilate the kitchen after cooking and the rooms after ironing
Install a hood this will help prevent odors from entering the house and reduce the humidity associated with cooking
Avoid drying your clothes at home
Vacuum and dust weekly this will remove mold microspores
Thoroughly clean the kitchen carefully and periodically wipe the stove and the walls next to it . Discard spoiled food and food that has expired
Avoid using textile rugs in the bathroom, as they will retain moisture, thus becoming a favorable environment for mold multiplication.
Mold can be prevented with little effort, especially if you clean it regularly and catch it early.
Mold Removal Using Bleach
Bleach kills virtually every species of indoor mold that it comes into contact with including mold spores which leaves a sanitized surface making it resistant to future mold growth. However, bleach is only effective if the mold is growing on non-porous materials such as tiles, bathrubs, glass and countertops.
Bleach is unable to penetrate into porous materials such as wood and drywall which means it cannot get rid of mold growing beneath the surface of these materials. If you use bleach to kill mold on these surfaces it will only kill the mold above the surface. It will be unable to reach the mold within the material and the mold will soon return.
Bleach is a harsh, corrosive chemical which means it can damage the materials it is used on. It also gives off harsh fumes and produces toxic gases when mixed with ammonia. There are safer alternatives such as borax or vinegar which dont produce the dangerous fumes or leave behind toxic residue.
How to Kill Mold Using Bleach
A Qualified Environmental Lab Took Samples Of The Mold In My Home And Gave Me The Results Can Cdc Interpret These Results
Standards for judging what is an acceptable, tolerable or normal quantity of mold have not been established. Sampling for mold can be expensive, and standards for judging what is and what is not an acceptable quantity of mold have not been set. The best practice is to remove the mold and work to prevent future growth. If you do decide to pay for environmental sampling for molds, before the work starts, you should ask the consultants who will do the work to establish criteria for interpreting the test results. They should tell you in advance what they will do or what recommendations they will make based on the sampling results. The results of samples taken in your unique situation cannot be interpreted without physical inspection of the contaminated area or without considering the buildings characteristics and the factors that led to the present condition.
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What Should I Clean And What Should I Get Rid Of
If the home has been flooded, remove all drywall to at least 12 inches above or around any water mark. Harder, non-porous materials such as glass, plastic, or metal can be kept after they are cleaned. Carpets and rugs that cannot be thoroughly dried and cleaned should be discarded and replaced. If the damaged area is small, you may be able to save the carpet by cleaning the area with a mild detergent. There also are professional home cleaning services that may be able to clean your carpets.
If flood water or sewer overflows are the cause of the moisture problem, infectious organisms also may be a hazard. For information see IDPHs fact sheet, Cleaning Up After Flood and Sewer Overflows.
Remove The Mold From General Surfaces
The methods youll use to get rid of mold would depend on the surface its growing on.
1. Wet Walls
Wet walls in your home could be your kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, or basement walls. To remove mold from them:
- Mix bleach and water using a 1:3 ratio.
- Spray and saturate the area with the solution.
- Leave it on the mold-infested wall for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Scrub the area to remove the mold and wipe it off. Repeat until all the mold is removed.
- Afterward. mix equal parts white vinegar and 3% hydrogen peroxide.
- Spray this mixture on the wall.
- Allow the wall to air-dry, and dont rinse the solution off.
For external wall surfaces:
- Reapply the solution on the clean wall and let it air-dry.
2. Dry Walls
A wall that usually has no moisture on it can still be infested with mold if its in a humid environment. When doing the steps below, see to it that the dry wall doesnt become too wet since wetness could cause further damage.
- Scrub the wall first without using any water to remove some of the mold.
- Mix equal parts 3% hydrogen peroxide and white vinegar.
- Spray the solution on the area until the surface is damp but not saturated.
- Leave it for 10 minutes.
- Scrub the area lightly using a medium-bristled brush.
- Wipe off the mold with house disinfectant wipes.
- Allow the surface to dry.
If the wall is stained, apply a primer before repainting. Consider using moisture-resistant paint or paint with fungicide.
3. Plain Wooden Surfaces
6. Fabric
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How To Get Rid Of Musty Smells In Your Basement
While the above pointers also apply to musty basements, there are a few additional things you might want to check if your basement is where youâre noticing a musty smell.
The documented health problems associated with mold exposure fall into four categories:
The effects of molds are cumulative â the first hundred exposures may have no effect but the next one can cause a reaction.
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.
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Find The Moisture Source
Black mold removal is important. But first, one must identify that it is black mold. First, look at the color, followed by the smell. Black mold is black or even dark grey in color, and often smells wet and musty, as it usually grows in areas with a lot of moisture. Black mold is also usually noticeable in the home if you experience a burning or scratching sensation in your throat or lungs. Black mold is dangerous, and can greatly affect your health if left untreated, so it’s important to remove it as soon as you’re aware of it.
Before you can begin any black mold treatment, youll need to perform a black mold test and find the source. Its often the result of excess moisture in a particular area. Youre most likely to find black mold in areas of your home that you dont visit as often like the basement, but it can pop up anywhere. Here are a few common moisture sources to look for:
- Faucets and fixtures. Sink, shower and bathtub faucets and fixtures that are leaking can lead to the growth of black mold over time.
- Exposed plumbing. Damaged or leaking pipes, especially in warmer temperatures, can often create black mold in areas like basements.
- Water heaters. A small leak can create black mold in your basement or water heater closet.
Mold Reactions: Who’s At Risk
For people sensitive to mold, inhaling or touching mold spores can cause allergic reactions, including sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash. People with serious mold allergies may have more severe reactions, including shortness of breath. In people with asthma who are allergic to mold, breathing in spores can also cause asthma attacks.
In addition to people with allergies and asthma, others who may be more sensitive to the effects of mold include:
- Infants and children
- People with chronic lung disease
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Simple Ways To Get Rid Of The Mold Smell In Your Home
Your home is supposed to be your oasis. It should be the place you love coming home to at the end of a long day. Its the place where you can relax and unwind at least, it would be in a perfect world.
*This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link!*
But what about when youre trying to relax in your home and you suddenly smell something a bit stale.
Musty.
Damp.
No one wants to deal with mold in their home, but it happens!
When you recognize that mold smell, dont panic! There are some easy solutions you can use to rid your home of mold and the musty odor it brings!
How Do You Get Rid Of Mold
There are plenty of commercial products that are effective for black mold removal, but many of them contain harsh chemicals that may be as harmful as the mold itself. There are several ways to get rid of mold without resorting to toxic chemicals.
Here are 5 ways to treat black mold using green household cleaners:
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How To Remove Mold
Some mold is quick and easy to clean, merely requiring a regular wipe down around the tub or window, but sometimes professionals are needed. The general dividing line between homeowner clean up versus professional remediation is whether the mold is covering under or above 10 square feet, says Ragsdale. You may also need to hire a professional if your drywall is covered in mold or if you are allergic to mold.
In order to get rid of a major mold problem, you must remove the mold and remedy the moisture problem that caused the excessive mold growth in the first place. Ragsdale highly recommends immediately fixing the cause of the moisture problem that led to the mold, whether its bad plumbing, a leak, or excessive humidity. Mold requires moisture, so if the moisture intrusion is not corrected, cleaning efforts may be in vain, says Ragsdale.
When cleaning mold on your own, be sure to wear gloves, goggles and N-95 respirator masks to reduce your exposure to the mold. If there are outdoor openings in the room, place an exhaust fan near them to help remove mold spores from the room. If the moldy area is dry, lightly spray with water, as this will reduce the incidence of airborne mold spores during cleaning.
Place all used sponges, equipment and other materials in a heavy-duty garbage bag, and if possible, remove the bag through a nearby exit as opposed to the main house to avoid distributing mold spores.
How To Remove Mold Outside The House
External mold is just as serious as mold inside the home. Youll want to remove mold from the outside of your house, on siding or on your deck, as soon as possible. External mold can do significant damage to exterior surfaces over time, eating away at wood, stucco and other materials. In addition, exterior mold can easily work its way into the house if left unchecked.
- Don gloves and eye protection and liberally spray a 1-to-10 solution of bleach and water on the surface.
- Scrub tough stains with a stiff bristle brush dipped in the solution.
- Let sit for 10 to 20 minutes and rinse with a garden hose.
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Limit Your Exposure To Mold
Its important to limit your exposure to mold and mold spores. Keep them out of your eyes and try not to inhale any.
- Wear a mask or an N-95 respirator to avoid inhaling mold.
- Wear gloves that extend to the middle of your forearm. If youre just using water and a mild detergent, household rubber gloves work fine.
- Wear goggles that dont have ventilation holes to avoid getting mold or spores in your eyes.
How To Clean Mold From Front Load Washer Gasket
Your washing machine can be a haven for mold, and the front load gasket is usually the first place it appears. Prevention is better than cure, so try to reduce the risk of mold by wiping the gasket between loads to keep it clean and dry. Use a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide to clean the gasket on a regular basis to remove mold and prevent it from returning.
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Challenges Posed By Mold Spores And Other Airborne Contaminants
Molds release their children into the air, which are referred to as spores. Because of their minute size, these spores are invisible to the naked sight of a human being. Mold growth may start to develop inside of a building if mold spores land on moist surfaces. If there isnt any moisture around, then there wont be a good environment for any of the many varieties of mold to grow.
Formaldehyde on the other hand, is a gas that is odorless, invisible, and combustible at room temperature. It also has a very pungent stench. Formaldehyde may have a negative impact on ones health if they are exposed to it.
Resins used in the production of hardwood plywood, particleboard, and medium-density fiberboard all include traces of formaldehyde.
Additionally found in products for the home such as glues, permanent press textiles, paints and coatings, lacquers and finishes, and paper products preservatives found in particular pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and consumer products such as dishwashing detergents and fabric softeners and fertilizers and pesticides.
In addition to that, it may be present in cigarette smoke and unventilated fuel-burning appliances like gas stoves and kerosene heaters.
How To Clean Mold Off Leather
Leather might be a luxury product, but its extremely susceptible to mold growth. However if you discover mold on your recliner or favorite boots, all is not lost. Heres how to clean the mold and stop it from coming back.
Youll need:
Soapy water or leather cleaner
Soft cloth
Method:
Step 1: Place the leather somewhere warm and allow it to dry completely. This will make removing mold easier.
Step 2: Using a damp cloth, wipe down the leather to remove the mold.
Step 3: Clean the leather using a leather cleaner or a mild soap such as baby shampoo.
Step 4: Carry out regular cleaning and maintenance to prevent mold returning.
Mold can quickly take hold of leather products and cause a lot of damage, from discoloration to reducing the leathers lifespan. Adding to the problem, you cannot use detergents or bleach on leather, as they will also cause damage. Therefore treating leather items regularly with specialized cleaners and keeping them dry is the best defence against mold growth.
Pro Tip: If you dont have a leather cleaner on hand, alcohol might help. Surprisingly, alcohol does kill mold and its particularly effective on leather. However, always spot-check any cleaner before you use it!
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What Species Of Mold Can Grow In The House
Although there are over 150,000 types of mold, just a few prevail in homes:
Cladosporium can develop at high and low temperatures and can emerge on textiles or under parquet. May induce allergic reactions or asthma attacks
Penicillium Penicillin is created from this mold, but its presence is not exactly beneficial for you and your family. It has a blue or green tint and a velvet-like texture. It might occur on carpets, wallpaper, the region surrounding the pipes, even on beds. May impact the respiratory system of children and dogs. Prolonged exposure can lead to sinusitis, lung infection and asthma
Alternaria one of the most common varieties of mold. It develops in the area of the shower or bathtub, but also surrounding the pipes that have leaks
White mold appears as a dense white paste, and can be distinguished by its appearance of white-gray cotton wool
Stachybotrys is a black-green mold, which develops mostly on wood and plasterboard. May induce allergic reactions or raise the risk of sinusitis, shortness of breath and headache
Acremonium is a sort of mold that evolves over time. At first, it covers a tiny area, after which it acquires a powdery texture. It might be pink, gray, orange or white. It flourishes in homes when the humidifier or air conditioner is heavily used
Mold is a small, parasitic fungus that multiplies by microspores.
