Mold and Moisture

Mold is a fungus and is alive! It grows on wet and damp surfaces and can sometimes cause severe respiratory issues in some people.

Mold produces spores — tiny specks you cannot see — that float through the air. When you breathe in mold spores, they get into your lungs which can cause health problems. Children who are sensitive to mold will have allergic reactions and some children will have asthma attacks when near mold.

Mold is usually found in bathrooms, basements, kitchens, and attics. Surfaces and items in the home that have been wet for longer than 24 hours will grow mold. Mold is often gray or black but can also be white, orange, or green and often smells musty. Mildew is a common name for mold.

What Does Mold Look Like?

How Can I Control Moisture to Prevent Mold

Here are some easy ways:

Keep surfaces clean and dry – wipe up spills and overflows right away.
Store clothes and towels clean and dry. NEVER let clothes stay wet in the laundry basket or washing machine.
Wipe down shower walls with a squeegee or towel after bathing or showering.
Cut down on steam in the bathroom while bathing or showering. Run a fan that is vented to the outside or open a window.
If you have a clothes dryer, make sure it is vented to the outside.
Throw away wet carpeting, cardboard boxes, insulation, and other things that have been wet for more than 2 days.
Don’t leave water in refrigerator drip pans, basements, or air conditioners.
Use a dehumidifier or air conditioner to dry out wet or damp areas.
Empty your dehumidifier frequently and clean every few days with a mix of 1/4 cup of chlorine bleach with 4 cups of water.
Run a vented fan to the outside when cooking.
Clean out clogged gutters.
Make sure your gutters are working to direct rainwater away from your house.
Slope dirt away from your house’s foundation. Repair leaking roofs, walls, doors, and windows.

How to Safely Clean up Mold

First of all, bleach is not the answer! There are many safe and effective ways to clean mold from porous and non-porous surfaces, using borax, vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide. These products will kill mold spores and the root. For porous surfaces like drywall, unless the “root” of the mold is killed, it will return. Bleach is effective at killing the spores and making the surface look clean, but it will not kill the root — so the mold will return. Follow the directions below to remove mold from your home safely and permanently.

Protect yourself when cleaning up mold. Wear long sleeves, pants, shoes, socks, rubber gloves, goggles to protect your eyes, and a breathing mask.
Open a window to let in fresh air while you’re working.
Keep children, elderly, sick people, and anyone with allergies or asthma away during the cleanup.
Wrap up anything you are going to throw away in plastic to stop mold from spreading.
Clean hard surfaces, such as tile, bathtubs, and glass, with a mix of dishwashing soap and water. Scrub with a brush and rinse with water. For stubborn mold, make a bleach solution of ¼ cup of bleach to 4 cups of water. Put in a 32 oz. spray bottle. Spray or sponge the bleach solution on the moldy area. Leave for 15 minutes. Rinse the area and dry quickly.
For porous surfaces, like drywall and wood, you don’t need harsh cleaners! Use safe and effective products like borax, hydrogen peroxide, and baking soda to remove mold and mildew. Follow all directions!
Call a professional cleaning service if mold damage is more than you can handle.
Carpet, insulation, and other porous materials that get too wet may need to be removed and replaced to ensure that the mold does not return.