Some Facts About Mold

Most of us have heard of mold, but dont really know much about it. Until it makes it sick, or we notice that something in our refrigerator or cupboard has grown a layer of green fuzz, we dont really think about it. The fact is mold is a living fungus that exists all around us. It grows in our houses, often unseen, and we should really have a good mold disinfectant on hand.

Mold spreads easily because it sends out tiny spores that the air carries everywhere. The spores are invisible and their goal in life is to be warm, damp, and find food. The trouble is many common materials in our homes are what give them life. Things we take for granted as part of our daily lives such as clothing, carpet, wallpaper, ceiling tiles, dust, and books, when existing in the right temperature and humidity cause mold to flourish and spread unless treated by a mold disinfectant.

Not everyone experiences symptoms when exposed to mold, just as not everyone reacts to pollen in the air during the spring and summer, or cat dander all of the time. Even if this is true in your case, it doesnt mean that its healthy to be breathing mold. Some possible ill-effects are runny nose, itching or burning eyes, cough, asthma, or other respiratory problems. Go online or contact your local health department to find get rid of mold in my house free information.

Taking Action

Since you usually cant see mold, your first clue that you may have it is a damp, musty, or mildew like odor in a room or particular area of your home. Learn more about detecting mold from reading up on it in get rid of mold in my house free information literature or website. Mold often grows after youve had some sort of water problem. Even something like an overflowing toilet or leaky washing machine can attract mold spores. Since mold grows fast and can invade at anytime, you should have a mold disinfectant available. This is especially true if you live in a damp or humid climate, use a humidifier, and daily temperatures range between 40 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

There are definite steps you should take when you find mold, as you dont want it to be a permanent houseguest. First of all read over your get rid of mold in my house free information. Its important that you eradicate every sign of mold as it will just keep spreading if you dont.

Before you attack the mold and handle any chemicals, be sure to protect yourself from breathing in the spores or making skin contact. You should wear eye goggles, a mask over your nose and mouth, and rubber or latex gloves. Your clothing should be made from a washable fabric, as youll need to put them through the washer and dryer as soon as youve finished your mold disinfectant project.

If your home has many of the conditions that make it extra susceptible to mold, vacuum carpets and clean hard surfaced floors regularly. Be especially vigilant in damp areas. Any time you have a leak, repair the problem that caused it right away. Use your mold disinfectant since the spores are so difficult to detect.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms attract mold because they are damp, in the ideal temperature range, and there are lots of materials in there for mold to feast on. You should regularly use a mold disinfectant when you do your routine cleaning. In fact its a great idea to create a bathroom cleaning check sheet to ensure that you dont miss any possible mold growing hotspots. Include such things as:

Scrub the shower curtain with mold disinfectant
Frequently wash all towels, bath mats, and area rugs
Thoroughly clean sinks, tubs, showers, and toilets If your bathroom is carpeted, vacuum (they are best with hard surfaced flooring)
Wash uncarpeted flooring

When you work with your bathroom cleaning check sheet each time, you wont accidentally forget to do one of these critical tasks.

If you have mold on your deck, sidings, or roof, use a pressure washing product. Mold is something you definitely dont want to live with. A little diligence and good cleaning habits will help you avoid this annoying problem. To learn more about it, read more get rid of mold in my house free information. Also, dont forget to make up your bathroom cleaning check sheet.