Everyday Blog

Mold growth can occur if there is moisture, right temperature, food and oxygen must be present. Just by removing one of these elements from the equation you will not be successful in growing toxic mold.

Mold needs a moist environment such as humidity to grow.

Mold must breathe. Sure, mold needs moisture to live but, like us, they will drown if they are completely submerged in water. It goes without saying that removing oxygen from the equation would likely cause you more discomfort before affecting the mold.

Not unlike humans, molds prefer comfortable temperatures. Unfortunately, the temperature range of most molds is the same range of temperatures that humans feel the most comfortable. If you have a thermostat, you can control your indoor temperature. However, changing the temperature to stop mold growth is also not an ideal solution as the temperatures that mold growth is inhibited are temperatures that humans are also uncomfortable with.

Therefore, the only element that we can reasonably control, thus becomes, the mold’s food source. Remove the food source and there can be no mold growth.

Removing dust from surfaces (whether or not it contains mold spores) also removes the food from which mold is able to grow from.

Remove mold with the use of chemical cleaners.

However, there are certain safety considerations that need to be addressed. Be forewarned that using cleaners improperly may leave you more mold than when you started.

Use of cleaners on moldy surfaces will likely kill any mold that the cleaner initially comes in contact with but the moisture that is left over may assist in promoting more mold growth. Prevent this from happening by making sure that the surface is wiped and dried off immediately after spraying.

Carpets that have not been thoroughly dried, can also retain enough moisture for mold growth.

Laundry hung in the closet, before it has been thoroughly dried, will likely develop mold. Most closets do not have enough ventilation and this may account for the musty closet odors.

Painted or plastic surfaces can be damaged by cleaners. As a result, water or humidity can seep in. Dirt, dust or dry wall, can combine to provide a nice environment for the mold to grow from.

Even if no mold growth occurs, damage to walls can result as evidenced by lifting of the paint or laminate. Once surfaces are damaged, it will become easier for the mold to grow next time.

You may get allergy symptoms from the toxic chemical cleaning fumes can cause rashes, etc.

Always ensure that you have adequate ventilation when using cleaners. Use gloves to minimize contact with the skin and eye protection to protect from splashes where appropriate.

Bear in mind that thousands of mold spores are typically inhaled by each of us daily. Mold spores are ubiquitous; everywhere. You can never successfully remove all of the mold spores from the air you breathe but you can take measures to reduce the allergens in your home or work place environment and prevent them from reaching toxic levels.