Don’t panic. Many homes have mold in them. And it’s possible to get rid of – if you address the problem at the right time. We know that the presence of this living organism in your home risks causing health problems in the long term. So it’s essential to be vigilant!
We’ll go over a few habits to change or to add to your family’s routine. These habits will help you avoid almost all mold breakouts.
Mold spores propagate exceptionally rapidly. These spores are light; therefore, they can travel through the air. That’s why you need to eliminate mold soon as it shows up. Fortunately, you can get rid of it in several environmentally friendly ways.
Here’s how to recognize, prevent and treat mold in your home. 👉
Most Common Problematic Places
Mold grows both indoors and outdoors. It comes into your home through poorly insulated windows, ventilation and doors.
Anyone in your family can also bring it inside on their shoes, bags and coats. It especially grows indoors in damp, dark places. The bathroom, the basement and the kitchen are the key places to watch regularly.
You can quickly and easily inspect the backs of the faucets, between ceramic tiles and on the inside of the dishwasher. Then you can clean the mold out with the help of a few tricks that we’ll discuss.
Mold can also develop as a result of more severe problems in your home or apartment. Please note that it’s essential to work with professionals after any severe water damage to ensure a properly treated space and that the mold doesn’t have the opportunity to grow and spread.
We’ll be focusing specifically on minor mold problems. You will be able to tackle them quickly and ecologically.
Why Eliminate Mold
It’s impossible to get rid of all the mold in your home because, unfortunately, it’s part of a natural ecosystem in small amounts. If you can see the mold with your naked eye, it’s already past the acceptable threshold.
There are two main reasons it’s so important to get rid of mold: first, your health, and second, protecting your property. The presence of these spores can significantly increase the chances of developing respiratory diseases or worsen family members’ existing health conditions.
The symptoms vary, but they’re essential. They include nosebleeds, toenail infections (especially with mold in the shower and bath), coughing, headaches and chronic fatigue. For people with respiratory diseases, there is an increase in asthma symptoms and a deterioration of lung health.
Mold spreads quickly. Once grown, mold begins to eat your clothes, your furniture and even the walls of your home. The costs associated with an infestation of this kind can be astronomical, especially if you have to call a decontamination team to eliminate the visible mold, as well as dormant spores. If the air quality of your home is terrible, dormant spores can float in the air, waiting for favourable conditions to develop.
Preventing Mold
Now that you’re feeling terrified, here’s how to avoid living this horror story. Moisture is what allows mold to grow. So you have to reduce moisture in your home.
Attack the problem at the source by taking a tour of your home. Try to notice where the moisture comes in. Just repairing the bottom of your outside door can save you a lot of time. Glue an insulating rubber at the bottom to prevent wind, water and snow from coming in.
Winter is the number one cause of mold in your home, particularly in Canada. Family members coming and going are unfortunately carrying moisture from the outside to the inside. Winter boots full of snow must be left on the porch and dried regularly. If you have a rug in your lobby, make sure you dry it at least once a week. Also, disinfect the floor underneath to prevent mildew.
When spring comes, melting snow can increase your chances of water damage, especially if you have a basement. So make sure that the insulation is adequate and prevent an unwelcome flood!
In the long term, it is worth investing in a dehumidifier to control the moisture level of your home. Lowering humidity will prevent mold from forming, and kill dormant spores that may be present in the air.
How to Eliminate Mold Once and for All
To regularly maintain problem areas such as faucets and sinks, a solution of white vinegar is fine. If you aren’t too sensitive to the smell, spray the vinegar on problem areas and leave it for a few hours before rinsing and drying. If the smell of vinegar bothers you, add a few drops of essential oil to equal parts white vinegar and water.
For situations where mold is already well established, use baking soda. Dilute three tablespoons (or more if the surface is large) to a cup of water.
Spray everything on the area. Let stand for a few minutes and wipe with a cloth. Be sure to take advantage of the scrubbing power of baking soda by wiping it down well before rinsing thoroughly.
By following these tips, you should be able to avoid any significant mold problems. It is also essential to add regular house cleaning to your routine. If you don’t have time, our Pros are certified in regular house cleaning and can help you keep a home healthy.
