What is mold?
Mold is a type of fungus which thrives in damp, warm and humid environments. Mold spreads through tiny airborne spores, which can land on surfaces and grow if conditions are favourable. It typically appears as black, green, or white patches on walls ceilings, windows, and even sometimes furniture or carpets.
Mold can grow both indoors and outdoors. Inside buildings it can be found in bathrooms, kitchens, carpets and HVAC systems. Outside it can be found in soil, plants, decaying matter and damp wood.
There are different types of mold, and while some are harmless, others can cause health problems and damage materials so it is really important to eradicate it.
Health effects of mold exposure.
This is one of the most popular methods for deep cleaning carpets. A professional carpet cleaning machine heats water mixed with a cleaning solution in a tank until it’s hot. This is then sprayed onto the carpet and the cleaning solution helps to loosen dirt and grime. The water is then vacuumed out along with the dirt.
Prolonged exposure to mold within your home can cause:
- • Allergic reactions (sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes)
- • Respiratory issues (wheezing, coughing, asthma flare-ups)
- • Skin irritation
- • Headaches or fatigue
These symptoms are caused by inhalation of the airborne spores.
Steps to remove mold safely from your home
- 1. Ensure proper safety measures are in place by taking the following precautions:
- • Wear protective gloves, goggles to protect your eyes and a face mask to avoid inhalation of spores or chemicals.
- • Open windows for ventilation
- • Keep children and pets away from the affected area
- 2. Use a mold removal solution
- • Baking soda – should be fine on most surfaces but it’s best to check by doing a patch test first. Mix one teaspoon of baking soda with water in a spray bottle, apply to the mold, scrub, then rinse. You can also make a paste by adding a few teaspoons of water to some baking soda so that it has a spreadable consistency. Spread this on the affected area and leave to work for about 10 minutes, before scrubbing and then rinsing.
- • Bleach solution – mix one part bleach with four parts water and apply with a sponge. Once the mold is removed, rinse with a separate cloth and dry thoroughly. Make sure the area is well ventilated when using bleach.
- • Distilled White vinegar – this is probably best for any areas where bleach cannot be used, such as coloured walls etc. Spray undiluted white vinegar onto the mold, leave it to work for an hour, then scrub and rinse. You may need to repeat this a couple of times if necessary.
- • Commercial mold removers – these are available at most DIY stores and are formulated to kill mold very effectively.
After using any solution to remove the mold, make sure you rinse the area well and dry it thoroughly.
Steps to prevent mold from returning:
The only way to permanently eradicate mold growth is to prevent the build up of moisture in your home.
- • Improve ventilation – open windows daily, use an extractor fan in kitchens and bathrooms. Use a dehumidifier if necessary.
- • Fix any leaks – repair any leaking roofs, pipes or windows to eliminate sources of moisture.
- • Use anti-mold paint – apply mold resistant paint in areas prone to dampness like bathrooms
- • Keep humidity low - Avoid drying clothes indoors
If the mold covers a large area or keeps returning despite treatments, or if it’s caused by a structural issue, then hiring professionals to remove the mold would be necessary.
Removing mold from your home is essential for maintaining a healthy living environment. By using effective cleaning and removal methods and taking preventative measures, you can keep your home free of mold. If the problem persists, then seek professional help.