Did you know that our indoor environment is double to five times more toxic than the outdoor environment? In some cases, the air quality indoors is found to be more polluted than outdoors. In fact, what causes dangerous air quality at home is mold and mildew.
Mold can grow and be undetected over time in areas in the house high in moisture and dampness. Your bathrooms, kitchens, basements, attics, and crawl spaces. Water damages and leaks in the walls, ceiling, and plumbing fixtures are where mold thrives and proliferates. It can be also found in the HVAC system and in the depths of your sewer line.
As the mold continues to grow in your home, more mold spores in the air can cause respiratory problems, including throat irritation, asthma, and allergies. If you find yourself or your family member often coughing and wheezing even in good immunity health, poor air quality can be your answer.
What are mold and mildew exactly?
Mold and mildew are fungi that can rapidly grow from anywhere you can find moisture, dampness, and humidity. There’s not much difference between the two, except mildew is just mold in its baby stage. They are highly hazardous for infants, children, pregnant women, and anyone who has already existing respiratory health conditions, especially older ones.
If not immediately treated, mold can grow on a wide range of household surfaces. Growths can start developing on a damp surface within 24 to 48 hours and produce spores that reach the air. Since this problem won’t kill itself, it’s your job to kill it by simply cleaning to remove and keep them from coming back.
Keeping the Humidity Levels Down
Since mold and mildew thrive in a humid environment, it’s important to maintain your humidity at a healthy level. Be sure to properly ventilate, especially in rooms that are prince to excessive moisture. If you haven’t already had an exhaust fan in your bathroom and your kitchen, you better install one in each of them. It’s also important to clean them regularly to keep their lifespan and efficient performance.
Fans in the attics and basements also help control moisture and provide proper ventilation. Some HVAC systems have a built-in humidification system, so upgrade yours if you haven’t already. Even so, running your air conditioner helps dry and circulate the right amount of air.
Fixing Plumbing Problems Immediately
Leaks and clogs may seem minor at the moment, but they can worsen over time and cause multiplication of problems. Clean every countertop, tile, and drain regularly, and never leave them wet or even damp. The clogs might cause water to stay in certain areas in puddles and encourage mold growth.
Since mold can also grow in the depths of your sewage line, this can also cause clogs and debris if not properly maintained, especially in very old houses. Sewer jetting services can help you prevent and fix these kinds of problems.
Drying Item Before Storing Them
This is why you have a plate rack next to your kitchen sink, in order to dry plates and glasses before being stored somewhere else. Mold can spread from sinks to countertops to cabinets. Therefore, make sure everything is left dry before taking away your attention from them. Clean and disinfect cabinets and countertops. Don’t forget the sink and the faucet.
In the bathroom, mold can start from the base of the sink, the tub, and the toilet, so it’s important to pay attention to those areas when you clean the bathroom floor. Again, be sure everything is dry before leaving the bathroom.
Cleaning Fabric Furniture Regularly
Pay attention to your upholstery and other fabric furniture as well. They can spread mold spores in the air all throughout the house, compromising the air quality. Mildew fabric should be washed in chlorine bleach and hot water. If chlorine bleach is not a safe way to clean the material, soak the fabric in oxygen bleach instead, together with hot water for approximately half an hour. Let it sundry if you have that option.
For upholstery furniture, vacuum them to every corner for nooks and crannies. Use a mixture of ammonia and cold water to clean up the moldy stains with the use of a sponge. Blot until all the fabric absorbs the liquid and repeat the process until the stain goes away.
The solution can stain as well if left dry. To remove it, sponge the area with cold water and blot. Dry it thoroughly with a fan or a hairdryer set on cool.
At the end of the day, the best way to prevent mold and mildew is to keep everything, every surface, every corner in your house clean and dry. Prevention is always better than cure after all.