HOW TO PREVENT AND DESTROY HOUSEHOLD MOLD

Although mundane household tasks like laundry and cleaning can sometimes be put off for another day, an issue like household mold should always be taken seriously.  Not only does mold cause considerable damage to your home, but it can cause serious health problems for your entire family!  In this article, we’ll guide you through some of the basics of mold prevention and maintenance so you’ll never have to worry about it again.

So how does mold form in the first place?  Mold spores float through the air and eventually will come to rest on a damp surface.  Over time the mold grows and eats away at the damp surface, causing substantial damage to your home.  The damage doesn’t stop there though.  Exposure to mold can also cause health symptoms like allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints.

So how do you know when to call a professional?  The EPA recommends calling a Mold Remediation Expert when affected area is larger than 10 square feet (roughly 3x3 feet).  If you’re extra sensitive to the spores though, even 1 square foot of mold might be too much for you to handle alone.

​If you only have spot mold on non-porous surfaces that you are willing to remove yourself, here are some DIY mold removal options you might find helpful.

• Baking soda: Mix 1/2 teaspoon baking soda in 1 gallon water and scrub affected area.  Rinse with water.  This option is particularly great for killing mold on upholstery.
• Tea Tree Oil: Add 1 teaspoon tea tree oil per cup of water and spray solution on affected area.  Let sit for a few minutes before wiping off.
• Vinegar: Put full-strength vinegar into a spray bottle.  Spray affected area and wipe off.
• Bleach: Mix 1 cup of bleach with enough water to make 1 gallon.  Solution can be put into a spray bottle, or spread with a sponge or cloth.  Don’t rinse.

Although this home experienced minor exterior damage from Hurricane Katrina, small leaks and inadequate airflow permitted mold infestation.

• Borax: Borax is not as strong-smelling and corrosive as bleach.  Mix 1 cup borax with enough water to make 1 gallon.  Apply solution to the affected surface and scrub with a brush.  Don’t rinse.  Wipe surface dry.​
• Ammonia:  Great for killing mold on smooth, nonporous surfaces.  Never use with bleach.  Treat affected area with a solution of equal parts ammonia and water.  Leave on for 10 minutes, and then rinse with water.​
• Hydrogen Peroxide: Spray full-strength hydrogen peroxide on affected area and let sit for 10 minutes to loosen mold.  Wipe surface and don’t rinse.​

​When mold buildup occurs on porous surfaces like ceiling tiles or carpets, you need to completely replace the affected area.  It's impossible otherwise to entirely remove the mold, and you'll just end up with the same problem again.  If an area like this has been affected, contact Michael's Homes today to schedule plans for a renovation.  You'll be on your way to a mold-free home in no time at all!

The key to control future mold growth is to control moisture.  Do you have a leak or water problem?  Find the source of moisture and fix it.  Make sure your indoor humidity is at somewhere around 30-60% to decrease mold growth.  Check bathrooms, laundry rooms, and other sources of moisture to ensure that they ventilate properly to the outside.  Increase ventilation.  Use air conditioners and de-humidifiers.  Use exhaust fans when cooking, dishwashing, and cleaning.  Prevent condensation on cold surfaces by adding insulation.  These are a few proactive steps you can take to prevent future mold growth in your home.  

You've now got all the keys to permanently rid your home of mold.  Use one of the DIY options mentioned above, contact Michael's Homes to schedule a renovation, or look up Mold Remediation Experts in your area.  Don't risk your health and home by waiting too long.  Get started today!

NOTE: The Environmental Protection Agency advises wearing rubber gloves, goggles, and possibly an N-95 respirator to avoid breathing in mold spores while cleaning.  The EPA also advises caution when using bleach or biocides since they can cause severe reactions in some people.  

The photo above was taken by Infrogmation and used under the terms of Creative Commons License 2.5.