There are over 1000 species of mold that are common in the United States, and most of them can have serious consequences for both your house and your health. The United States Center for Disease Control says that mold spores are a major irritant for children and adults with asthma – which is growing at an alarming rate around the country. In addition, since mold’s job in nature is to break down organic compounds in the soil, it does the same thing to the wood in your house – breaks it down. And that’s not even taking into account the ugly stains and musty, moldy odors that it leaves in your house.
There are ways to control mold growth around your home and keep the harmful effects to a minimum. Here are some tips from professionals who deal with mold and disinfectants every day.
• Moisture is a breeding ground for mold. Stop moisture from entering your house by covering dirt floors in cellars and crawlspaces, and use a dehumidifier in damp rooms.
• Vent your clothes dryer and bathroom fans to the outside, not to the attic or between walls to prevent moisture buildup that encourages the growth of mold.
• Scrub mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water, then spray surfaces with a germicidal spray to kill any lingering mold spores (Industrial Germicidal Cleaner). The surfaces should stay wet with the cleaner for at least two minutes, though some cleaners require longer.
• Bathrooms are the biggest breeding grounds for mold and mildew. An exhaust fan can cut down on the moisture in the air that encourages mold to grow.
• Tile grout and shower door tracks are notorious for collecting mold. Spray them daily with a foaming disinfectant cleaner (Spray N San Ii Foaming Disinfectant Cleaner) (the foam will cling to walls instead of sliding down the vertical surfaces) and wipe dry.
• Mold on porous surfaces is another problem entirely. In most cases, there’s no help for it. If you find mold on ceiling tiles, wallboards, plaster walls or carpets, you’ll need to replace them.
• Just because you don’t see it, doesn’t mean it’s not there. If there’s a musty, moldy smell but you find no evidence of mold, you may be dealing with a hidden mold problem. Mold can grow on the back of wallpaper, behind wallboards, under carpets and floorboards – just about anywhere. The EPA recommends that if you suspect a hidden mold problem, you hire a contractor that knows how to deal with mold. Simply stripping off wallpaper that’s covered with mold, for instance, can release millions of mold spores into the air, posing a potential health problem.
• To prevent mold and make cleaning easier, spray the shower fixtures, tub, walls, shower curtains and any other shower surfaces with a preventative shower spray (Shower Spray) which will help keep mold off surfaces and keep your bathroom smelling sweet and clean. Shower spray can also be used in other high humidity areas with hard surfaces. Prevention is the best way to deal with mold problems.
