Removing Mold Spores From The Air Quickly And Safely
Mold is one of the scariest common problems you face as a homeowner/renter. I say common because, of course, there are those stories out there of people whose homes become infested with Black Widow spiders or something like that.
No, no, no. Just burn the house down, in that case. Mold? Thats easier to deal with, but it feels like a huge problem. This is particularly true when you consider that the spores stay behind in the air and can re-establish a mold colony. It almost feels pointless to clean it up in the first place!
So the question is this: How do you kill mold spores in the air naturally? In short, you need to get rid of the source of the mold, and then pull the spores out of the air. If you stop the conditions that led to mold buildup, youll also stop the spores.
In this article, I want to take you a bit more in depth into how mold gets its start in your house, how it grows to become a problem, and the steps you can take to mitigate it. Thankfully, the solutions here are not so complicated, and you can get a lot accomplished with a simple anti-mold procedure.
Getting Rid Of Mold With Grapefruit Seed Extract
Grapefruit seed extract is an effective natural mold killer. It has almost no odor and you can buy it from most health food stores. The citric acid from the grapefruit attacks the mold. It also disinfects the area and deodorizes the area.
Advantages Of Air Purifiers For Mold
There are several benefits of air purifiers, especially those that have the power to remove mold accumulated in different corners of your home. We happen to never pay attention to what more can they offer other than being experts in removing mold. Some of their most effective benefits are:
Relieves allergy symptoms
Many individuals suffer from different allergies. Dust allergy is pretty common among them and can be quite triggering if you live in an unhygienic environment. Air purifiers use many filtration methods to remove dust particles from many spaces. Pollen and pet hairs are other things people are allergic to, for this alone, air purifiers are great at relieving their symptoms and providing you with a freshly hygienic environment.
Removes harmful chemicals
Activated carbon and other filters are added in many air purifiers to rid the environment of any toxic chemicals that might exist in your home. Even if you dont live in polluted environments, your home environment might still be polluted with chemicals from cleaning agents. To be sure about its origins, you should definitely buy an air purifier that provides you with this and more.
Reduces odors
Don’t Miss: Cleaning Mold Off Ceiling
Removing Mold From Fabric
If your home has been flooded and mold and bacteria have been left to grow for many days, it may be impossible to salvage fabric items. However, if mildew has developed due to dampness and is caught early, it can easily be removed from most fabrics.
Begin by taking the items outside to brush away as much surface mold as possible and to prevent spreading the mold spores inside your home. If the fabric is washable, use the hottest water recommended on the care label and add a disinfectant. If stains remain, create a solution of oxygen bleach and water and allow the clothes to soak for at least eight hours. Oxygen bleach can be used safely on any washable fabric.
For fabrics that are dry clean only, brush away the mildew outside and then head to a professional cleaner. Identify and point out the stains most fabrics can be successfully restored.
How Long Can Mold Spores Stay In The Air
Posted in Mold, on
Mold is always present in our environments, but it becomes a problem when it begins to grow indoors and affects indoor air quality. One of the most common questions asked at SafeAir is about mold spores and how long they can remain airborne. The answer might be surprising mold spores can stay airborne indefinitely, making mold inspection in Toronto one of the best tools for early detection and eradication.
Also Check: Ultraviolet Light Mold Removal
Next Steps Of How To Get Rid Of Mold In Air Ducts:
Once you have finished cleaning the visible mold, it is time to make sure that it never comes back! You need to look for EPA registered mold growth inhibitors for this process. These can successfully prevent mold from growing again after the clean-up. Without the application of inhibitors, the fungus is most likely to come back in the same area within a few weeks.
It sounds like a time-consuming task when it comes to the process of how to get rid of mold in air ducts and it surely is. You should be especially careful to dry the area after the cleaning. It is also a process that involves high health risks. Experts will always recommend that you leave the task of how to get rid of mold in air ducts to professionals who have the right equipment to ensure maximum safety to you and your family during the process.
How Do Doctors Diagnose Mold Allergy
To diagnose an allergy to mold or fungi, the doctor will take a complete medical history. If they suspect a mold allergy, the doctor often will do skin tests or allergen specific IgE blood tests. Extracts of different types of fungi may be used to scratch or prick the skin. If there is no reaction, then you probably dont have an allergy. The doctor uses the patients medical history, the skin testing results and the physical exam to diagnose a mold allergy.
Read Also: Uv Lights To Remove Mold
Why You Need A Professional To Remove Mold
Hiring a professional to clean may seem like an unnecessary expense, but technicians can take care of mold and help prevent it from coming back more effectively and safely than you can do yourself.
First of all, scrubbing mold with ordinary cleaners wont make it go away. Regular cleaning products will leave behind enough mold for it to easily grow back. Professionals have the proper equipment to protect themselves and your home or business from not only the mold, but the chemicals they use to clean it.
You could also accidentally damage your HVAC system if you try to clean mold in air ducts yourself. Professionals know what to look for and how to treat your AC with care. Professional ductwork cleaners have HVAC training, so theyll be familiar with your system and know how to clean it without damaging it. They also use the correct mold growth inhibitor products to prevent it from coming back, and they know how to properly dispose of tools to prevent contaminating other areas.
Learn more about professional duct cleaning services:
How To Get Rid Of Mold In The Basement/crawlspace
Removing mold in these areas follows the same procedure as for walls and ceilings. However, in these areas, the cause of the mold might be especially hard to deal with. An overly humid basement or a poorly ventilated attic could become damp and moldy. Resolving the moisture problem that caused the mold is vital.
Remember that soft, porous surfaces contaminated with mold almost certainly need to be thrown away and replaced. Carpets and rugs are nearly impossible to get completely mold-free.
While mold remediation can be a dirty, time-consuming process, it is not impossible for the average homeowner to deal with. Keep in mind that mold spores are everywhere, so you do not need to eradicate every last spore. Removing all visible mold, thoroughly drying the area and resolving whatever caused the moisture to begin with are the key steps in removing mold. A thorough wipe down with a damp cloth and a HEPA vacuum can accomplish most of your mold removal needs.
Recommended Reading: Remove Black Mold From Ceiling
Causes Of Mold Growth In Acs
Mold is a type of fungus. Like all living organisms, fungi require three things to grow: oxygen, water and organic matter. Since air conditioners circulate air and the cooling coils tend to create condensation, the first two criteria for mold growth are bound to be present in an air conditioner.
Air conditioners and ductwork also provide the dark spaces where mold can thrive. Add some organic materialwhich can simply be dust and other debrisand you have all the conditions for mold to grow.
Self Consciousness Can Bring Better Result
Well, self-consciousness can bring a better result. If you remain concern about your environment and home you will be able to control mold from there. As you know that mold causes mold allergies and they should be controlled by any mean. Have a quick look to get a clear knowledge about what to do-
- Bathroom cleaning regularly
- Keep your bedroom neat and clean
- Reduce basement mold
To do that you should follow the methods that I described earlier and keep you free from the mold attack. You can also use those machines for a more applicable result.
Also Check: Mold Or Mildew On Bathroom Ceiling
Cleaning Up Small And Medium Mould Problems
Bleach is not necessary to clean up mould.
You can clean up small areas of mould if you follow the proper procedures and use the right protective equipment. Unless the mould growth is on smooth surfaces such as bathroom tiles, surface cleaning will not eliminate the problem.
In most cases you can clean up medium areas of mould if you follow the proper procedures and use the right protective equipment. Materials damaged by mould must be physically removed and disposed of under safe conditions. However, it is important to seek professional assistance if there is a large mould problem or if mould comes back after cleaning.
Susceptible individuals such as pregnant women, infants, children, the elderly, and occupants with asthma, allergies or other health problems should not be in or near the area where the mould is being cleaned up.
Minimum protective gear needed:
- a disposable N95 mask and
- household disposable gloves.
You can purchase an N95 mask from a hardware store. Make sure that the label says N95. Other masks are designed to provide limited protection against dust and are not suitable for protecting against mould exposure. Make sure that the mask is properly fitted and you can breathe through the mask.
Also Check: How To Remove Black Mold From Shower Grout
Can Mold Cause Health Problems
Molds are usually not a problem indoors, unless mold spores land on a wet or damp spot and begin growing. Molds have the potential to cause health problems. Molds produce allergens , irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances . Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash .
Allergic reactions to mold are common. They can be immediate or delayed. Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold. In addition, mold exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic people. Symptoms other than the allergic and irritant types are not commonly reported as a result of inhaling mold. Research on mold and health effects is ongoing.
This provides a brief overview it does not describe all potential health effects related to mold exposure. For more detailed information consult a health professional. You may also wish to consult your state or local health department.
Read Also: Cleaning Mold Off Basement Walls
Top Tips For Controlling Mold
Its impossible to get rid of all mold and mold spores in your home, but because mold spores cant grow without moisture, reducing moisture in your home is the best way to prevent or eliminate mold growth. If there is already mold growing in your home, its important to clean up the mold and fix the problem causing dampness. If you clean up the mold but dont fix the problem, the mold will most likely return.
Following is some advice for reducing moisture throughout the home with specific tips for the areas most prone to dampness and mold growth:
Around the house:
- Use exhaust fans to move moisture outside whenever you are cooking, washing dishes, or cleaning.
- Turn off certain appliances if you notice moisture on windows and other surfaces.
- Check for leaks around the kitchen sink, refrigerator ice makers, and other sources of water. Repair if necessary.
- Empty and clean refrigerator drip pans if necessary.
In basements and crawl spaces:
In the laundry room:
- Vent your clothes dryer to the outside.
- Make sure the vent is clear of obstructions, such as lint, and that there are no holes that leak air. If the vent duct is damaged, replace it with a metal duct. Have the duct cleaned at least once a year.
- Avoid leaving damp clothes in the laundry basket or dryer. Wash and dry them promptly.
In bathrooms:
What Type Of Mold Grows In Air Conditioners
There are thousands of types of mold. Of these, the most common types of mold found in air conditioners and ductwork include:
- Aspergillus: a genus of mold fungus prone to triggering allergic reactions and illness in people with weak immune systems.
- Cladosporium: a very common genus of mold with a green to black appearance, often relatively innocuous though it can still trigger allergic reactions and worsen asthma.
- Stachybotrys chartarum: known as black mold or toxic mold, Stachybotrys chartarum is a particularly dangerous species of mold that produces poisonous mycotoxins.
Don’t Miss: Skin Rash From Mold
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.
Can You Get Rid Of Mold Spores In The Air
Mold spores are constantly all around us.
Due to their size , theyre invisible to the naked eye and can stay in the air indefinitely. Even the smallest breeze can easily carry them great distances and into homes and buildings.
In fact, even the EPAs website succinctly states that mold spores cannot be eliminated from indoor environments.
So what can you do if youre suffering from health problems from mold spores?
While its not feasible to maintain a completely sterile environment free of mold spores, there are ways that you can significantly reduce the amount of mold spores in the air in your home.
Read Also: How To Get Rid Of Mold On Bathroom Ceiling
Will An Air Purifier Remove Mold Spores
One of the many common questions we see people asking about air purifiers is Will an air purifier remove mold spores? While this may seem like a simple question, theres a little more nuance to it than you might expect. Lets take a look at whether an air purifier can remove mold spores and what kind of air purifier you need for this purpose.
How To Get Rid Of Mold In Your House: From Ceiling To Floors To Basement
Mold is the last thing any homeowner wants to find. It damages your home and may impact your health. It can be difficult to get rid of. Preventing mold from forming in the first place is always the best option. But if you do have a mold problem in your house, it is possible to clean it up safely and make sure it does not come back. It is important to follow the correct steps and use the right tools for the job to get rid of mold in your house.
Why is it important to get rid of mold? In addition to the musty smell and damage it causes to surfaces it grows on, mold may aggravate or exacerbate your familys health problems. A review of multiple studies on indoor mold exposure found that, excessive moisture promotes mold growth and is associated with an increased prevalence of symptoms due to irritation, allergy, and infection. . Its best to avoid all of these and eliminate the mold problem from your home completely.
Read Also: How To Remove Molds From Leather
Air Purifiers With Hepa Filters Can Help Prevent Mold Formation
Mold forms when tiny mold spores floating in the air land on a damp surface. These particles are so small they can not be seen with the naked eye. Air purifiers with HEPA filters can capture these mold spores in the air before they land on a damp surface and start to form mold.
Mold spores in the air can also cause a variety of health effects, including allergic and respiratory issues. Fortunately, HEPA filters are very effective at filtering out mold spores.
