Mold is home’s cancer.
It’s a common enemy in many households, silently growing in damp corners and causing health concerns.
Not only unsightly, mold can lead to serious health effects, including allergies, asthma triggers, or worse for senior homeowners.
This blog post will equip you with effective strategies to not just remove mold but also prevent its recurrence.
Key Takeaways
- Mold grows where it's wet. Fix leaks and use fans to dry damp places.
- Clean the mold with plain vinegar, then spray baking soda mixed with warm water.
- Fix moisture areas so mold won't come back. Always keep things clean and dry in your home.
- Use the right cleaner for different surfaces: detergent for wood, bleach for hard surfaces, hot water for fabric items.
Understanding Mold and Its Dangers
Mold is not just an unsightly annoyance, it’s a health hazard. It thrives in damp environments, and mold can lead to a host of respiratory problems.
Unchecked mold infestation even contributes to structural damage in homes, making its removal a priority for every homeowner.
Recognize the causes of mold growth and understand how exposure affects your health.
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Causes of mold growth
Mold grows when there is wetness or damp air in your home.
Leaks from pipes or roofs can cause this. Also, areas with poor ventilation, like basements and bathrooms, might have mold.
Even high humidity can make a good place for mold to grow.
So, always keep things dry and clean inside your home.
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Health risks associated with mold exposure
We’ve all dealt with mold at some point in our lives. Most homes aren’t yet built to deal with issues like these, and people don’t know how harmful mold can be.
You don’t have to wait for symptoms to finally clean the mold in your basement, bathroom, laundry room, or wherever it grew.
Having symptoms means it’s already late, and you’ll have to deal with some health problems for a very long time.
You may get sick from mold in your house. Itchy eyes, scratchy throat, and a running nose are common signs.
Some people may cough or wheeze if the mold is bad. If you have asthma or allergies, mold can make them worse.
Long-term exposure to black mold can be even more harmful.
3 Ways To Effectively Remove Mold and Keep It From Coming Back
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Fixing Sources Of Moisture
- Fix any leaks in pipes.
- Make sure rainwater runs away from your house.
- Use fans and dehumidifiers to dry out rooms that are often damp, like basements or bathrooms.
- Keep doors and windows open when the weather is nice for airflow.
- Always clean up spills or puddles right away.
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Using vinegar and baking soda
Vinegar and baking soda are great at getting rid of mold. You start with plain vinegar. Put it in a spray bottle, but do not add water to it.
Spray the vinegar on the moldy area. Let it sit for an hour before you wipe it clean.
Then, mix baking soda and warm water in a spray bottle. After that, shake up the mix and spray it on where you had mold before.
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Mold treatment
Mold treatment is a crucial step in mold removal. You can find many products to use.
Some people like the natural way with vinegar and baking soda. Others might choose store-bought mold cleaners.
The goal of any mold treatment is to kill and remove all spores. This means reaching deep places where they hide, not just cleaning the surface.
After killing the mold, ensure it’s fully gone from your home for good health and safety.
Removing mold from various surfaces
- Clean mold on wood with a mild detergent. Be gentle so you don't harm the wood.
- Dry the cleaned area right away. Wet wood attracts more mold.
- For fabric items, wash them in hot water.
- Use bleach for hard surfaces like tiles and glass.
- Non-porous materials can also be cleaned using vinegar or baking soda.
- For outdoor areas, use a pressure washer with a soap solution.
- If your carpets have mold, throw them out and get new ones.
- Leather goods need special care to remove mold without damage.
- Commercial mold cleaners work well on plastic objects.
- Always dry clean any clothes that have been near or touched mold.
Conclusion
Your best solution would be to remove mold when you see it growing and then keep cleaning it whenever it comes back.
A professional can eliminate mold and it’s source forever, and doing a basement inspection or basement waterproofing the space will save you from a lot of costly repairs down the road.
If you’re interested in professional mold removal or basement waterproofing, send us a message, and we’ll be more than happy to assist you.