Mold is a very common problem in most households around the world. Mold often starts small and goes unnoticed by homeowners.
When left untreated, it grows into a much bigger problem that produces allergens and irritants, causing damage to your health.
Fortunately, preventing mold isn’t as difficult of a task as mold removal. Here are a few tips you should consider to prevent mold growth.
Dry Wet Areas Immediately
Mold grows due to moisture, so if there’s no moisture for it to grow, mold can’t grow. Whether it’s water from a leaky pipe or seepage in the basement after rainfall, it needs to be dried within 48 hours or more preferably under 24 hours.
It’s also important to pay attention to details in everyday occurrences like wet items around the house, wet walls after a shower, leaving wet clothes in the washing machine, etc.
Invest in Proper Ventilation
In an effort to be more energy-efficient, homeowners forget about proper ventilation and invite mold into their homes. Make sure you’re not holding moisture inside when cooking, washing dishes, or showering.
You could simply run an exhaust fan, open a window, or use a machine like an AC or dehumidifier if you live in an especially humid environment. Don’t forget to check them every so often and clean them as instructed so they don’t produce moisture themselves.
Use Mold-Resistant Products
If you want to eliminate the problem long before it has a chance to even start, you can use mold-resistant products like mold-resistant drywall or mold-resistant epoxy flooring when building or renovating your home.
But if that sounds like too much work, then use mold-killing products to clean areas of your home that are susceptible to mold. There are also plenty of natural ingredients you can use like hydrogen peroxide, citrus seed extract, and tea tree oil that are effective against mold.
Look For Standing Water
Stagnant water and chronic dampness in an area inside your home increase indoor humidity and provide an ideal environment for mold to develop and grow. Check for puddles or dampness inside your house.
An indoor humidity monitor can help you keep track of the moisture levels in your home. If it shows a reading of about 35% to 55%, then there’s nothing to worry about. But if you have readings closer to 70% relative humidity, you should expect certain species of mold to grow in your home.
Keep Mold Off of Houseplants
Although houseplants can be a great source of pleasure for homeowners and keep the air inside clean, the moist soil of indoor plants is a perfect place for mold to grow. This mold might then spread to other areas of your home.
But getting rid of the plants isn’t the only solution. There are tons of things you can do to get rid of mold from houseplants. For instance, you can:
- Use sterile soil
- Provide proper airflow
- Give plenty of sunlight
- Keep plants tidy
- Use white vinegar or baking soda
These solutions can help hinder mold growth in plant soil and keep them fresh and mold-free.
