How to get rid of mold is a question on many people’s minds these days, and for good reason. Moisture and indoor mold have been linked to a range of negative health outcomes, including wheezing, coughing, allergies, respiratory infections, and asthma exacerbations. Making sure your home is free of mold is essential to your health.
Believe it or not, most mold is not actually visible but is airborne, so you should take any signs of mold or moisture in your home seriously. But how do you get rid of mold? The best way to manage mold in the home is to eliminate or limit the conditions it needs to grow, including water and nutrients available in dirt, dust, and other crumbs around the house.
while the The best humidifiers Great for infusing moisture into dry air during the colder months, they’re not an ideal choice if you have a mold-prone home. On the other hand, dehumidifiers can do a great job of drawing excess moisture from the air to prevent mold growth. Here we’ll look at ways to get rid of mold, including cleaning and moisture removal techniques.
How do you get rid of mold
According to a study published in indoor airAnd indoor humidity and mold can do serious damage to our health, triggering an inflammatory response in the body that can contribute to a range of respiratory illnesses. In order to stay healthy, it is essential to rid your home of mold.
Mold can be very harmful to your health, so be sure to wear appropriate protective clothing when cleaning it. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) He recommends that anyone cleaning up mold and possibly breathing in mold spores wears an N-95 face mask, gloves, and goggles.
According to a 2004 report by Institute of MedicineThere are many signs of water problems to watch out for, including peeling paint, wet spots, wrinkled wallpaper, cracks in plaster, and warped wood. The report also recommends a thorough examination of the parts of the home that are most susceptible to mold growth, including basements, crawl spaces, attics, foundations, and often damp areas, such as bathrooms and kitchens.
Any mold on surfaces that can be effectively cleaned should be disinfected. Items that cannot be cleaned should be discarded. Hard surfaces such as ceramic tile, glass, concrete, and stone can be disinfected from mold, but depending on the level of contamination, items made of paper, gypsum board, textiles, or other soft, porous materials should be discarded.
according to Environmental Protection AgencyMild detergent can be used to effectively clean mold. A chemical cleaner, such as chlorine bleach, is not recommended for routine cleanings but can be used in more serious situations.
To prevent mold growth, the Environmental Protection Agency He recommends keeping indoor humidity below 60 percent, preferably between 30 and 50 percent. A hygrometer is an inexpensive instrument that measures the amount of moisture in the air. If you find that the humidity in your home exceeds 50 to 60 percent, a dehumidifier can be used to draw excess moisture from the air. Air purifiers help get rid of mold tooSo you might find investing in one of these devices along with a dehumidifier really helpful. Check out our guide to The best air purifiers for more information.
How to get rid of mold in the bathroom
Depending on how many people live in your house and how often you shower, the bathroom can be in a state of constant humidity. It is very important to turn on the bathroom fan or open a window while showering to get this moist air out of the house.
If you see signs of mold, be sure to increase the frequency of cleaning all surfaces in your bathroom. If there is still moisture collecting on windows, walls, or pipes, be sure to dry the wet surfaces completely after resurfacing. If you find it difficult to control the humidity in the bathroom, consider using a dehumidifier to control the humidity and prevent mold growth.
Any water-damaged areas or objects in your home should be dried within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth. If you notice the possibility of mold growth, act quickly to prevent it. Mold can damage any surface it grows on.
How to get rid of mold under the sink
Similar to bathrooms, excess moisture can build up in kitchens from cooking, washing dishes, boiling water, and more activities. Run an exhaust fan or open a window when cooking or washing dishes to allow moisture to escape.
If you notice any water damage under the sinks, be sure to check for water leaks. Sinks often have leaks where the basket drain is sealed to the sink or at the water trap. You can find out where the leak is by blocking the drain, filling the sink, checking for leaks, then releasing the water, and watching for leaks.
To clean existing signs of mold, scrub it with disinfectant and water and then let it dry completely. This may mean not using the sink until everything is dry.
How to get rid of mold smell
If your house smells damp, but you don’t see any visible mold, there may be hidden water damage. Check the back sides of walls, baseboards, the undersides of carpet, and around pipes and ductwork for signs of mold. It is not recommended to remove large amounts of mold, as this will likely release mold spores throughout your home. In this case, be sure to work with an experienced professional.
Excess water can enter your home during a rainstorm or other heavy rain, or a frozen pipe may burst. In any of these emergencies, you must act quickly to dry wet areas as quickly as possible. These emergency measures can include turning off the main water in your home, opening drains, turning on dehumidifiers in affected rooms, or pumping or suctioning water from your home.
It may seem illogical, but according to Environmental Protection AgencyAn increase in the heat in your home can stop the humidity. Warm homes have less condensation. Having good insulation and double-glazed windows that keep the heat inside and do not create cold surfaces for condensation. It’s also important not to paint or caulk over existing mold. The paint will likely peel off, mold will get worse, and odors will develop.
Ensure that fresh air can flow easily through your home. Mold can form in moist areas with still air. Leaving a gap between the furniture and the walls will allow fresh air to circulate around. Cabinets and cupboards should be open and well ventilated to prevent moisture buildup.
references
A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home. (2022, March 25). US Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved on April 20, 2022 from https://www.epa.gov/mold/brief-guide-mold-moisture-and-your-home
Holme, J. A., Øya, E., Afanou, AKJ, Øvrevik, J., & Eduard, W. (2020). Characterization and pro-inflammatory potential of indoor mold particles. indoor airAnd 30(4), 662-681. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32078193/
Institute of Medicine. (2004, May 25). Wet indoor spaces and health. National Academies Press. Retrieved on April 29, 2022 from https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/11011/damp-indoor-spaces-and-health
What are the main ways to control the humidity in your home? (2021, November 4). US Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved on April 29, 2022 from https://www.epa.gov/mold/what-are-main-ways-control-moisture-your-home