Mildew and mold in your home are not just gross because they’re unsightly and smelly—they’re bad for your health, too. And with summer’s humid air and the potential for flooding from heavy rainstorms and hurricanes, now is the time to start being diligent before mildew and mold have a chance to take over.
These microscopic organisms that thrive in wet environments often turn up in damp basements or in carpet or drywall that has gotten soggy. Spores enter the house through open doors and windows or on your clothing, then they start to grow wherever there’s moisture. The Environmental Protection Agency notes that mold spores are in the air, so you can never completely rid your house of them. What you can control, however, is the moisture in your home.
And controlling that moisture is important because, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), mildew and mold can start growing in just 24 hours. They will then continue to thrive until you address the problem—that is, until you not only kill the fungi but also eliminate the moisture.
Protect Your Health
If you have mildew or mold in your home, you’ll know. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains that you will be able to see and smell it.
As far as your health goes, mold will affect everyone a little bit differently. There’s a chance you might not be bothered by it at all; however, there are some sensitive individuals who could suffer a range of problems.
FEMA explains that mold causes respiratory problems and nasal and sinus congestion, and people who have allergies or asthma might find their conditions exacerbated by mold.
Some people will suffer burning, watery, or red irritated eyes, or they’ll have dry hacking coughs or sneezing fits. In some cases, you could break out in rashes or hives or feel aches and pains. Some individuals even feel the effects in their nervous system and are prone to headaches, memory loss, or mood changes.
Be Smart About Prevention
To prevent mold growth in your home, run your air conditioner and/or a dehumidifier to keep the humidity between 30 percent and 50 percent. Vent any places where steam builds up, such as your shower, laundry room, or kitchen, and avoid heavy textiles (like carpets) in these rooms. If you have places where water is entering your house (such as a leaky roof or window) address the problem and thoroughly clean and dry the area.
Clean Up Safely
Mold cleanup isn’t always easy. If you find that you have a problem, start by removing anything that has mold growth, including carpets, insulation, drywall, baseboards, furniture, or textiles. Most items with mold growth will have to be thrown away. If a belonging of monetary or sentimental value has been affected by mold growth, you should enlist the help of a professional restoration company to clean it.
Hard surfaces should be cleaned with a solution made from 1 cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water. Protect yourself from getting mold spores on your skin or in your eyes by wearing rubber gloves and goggles. After you have scrubbed the mold infestation with the bleach solution, run a fan so the area can thoroughly dry out.
Find more tips and techniques for healthy, safe mold cleanup at www.epa.gov/mold or www.cdc.gov/mold.