How do I stop my house from getting moldy?

Author: Jakob Kautzer  |  Last update: Tuesday, June 17, 2025

Use fans to send moisture outside If your home has kitchen, bathroom or window fans that vent (send) the moist air outside, use them when you cook or take a shower. If you do not have fans, open a window when you cook or shower, cover pots when cooking, and try to take cool, short showers.

How do I permanently get rid of mold in my house?

Spray the area with a mixture of water and vinegar - half water, half vinegar. Next, scrub to remove all traces of the mold. For removal of black and white mold, spray the area with the half water and half vinegar solution.

How do you stop mold from growing in your house?

  • 1. Control Humidity Use Dehumidifiers: Keep indoor humidity levels below 50% to discourage mold growth. Ventilation: Ensure proper airflow in rooms, especially in areas prone to dampness (e.g., basements).
  • 2. Temperature Regulation Maintain a Cool Environment: Mold thrives in warm, humid conditions.
  • 3. Regular Cleaning

What causes excessive mold in a house?

Air can hold moisture - the warmer the air, the more moisture it can hold. If moist air is cooled by contact with cold surfaces, such as walls, windows or mirrors, the moisture condenses into water droplets, known as condensation. Mould often occurs because of condensation.

What temperature should you keep your house to avoid mold?

The temperature in your home

Keep doors of unheated rooms open to allow some heat into them. Ideally your home should be heated between 18 to 21 degrees Celsius, but older people, babies and people who are less mobile may need it to be warmer.

Mold Removal: How To Prevent and Remove Mold at Home

What does mold hate?

Mold hates light. Other than moisture there's nothing mold loves more than dark places. An easy prevention against mold growth is opening your blinds and shades. If it's warm enough out, open the windows.

How to get rid of mold on walls permanently?

The only effective way to permanently get rid of mould problems is by reducing the build-up of moisture in your home. This can only be achieved through better ventilation.

What are signs of mold sickness?

Although symptoms can vary, the most common symptoms seen in people exposed to mold indoors include:
  • Nasal and sinus congestion.
  • Eye irritation, such as itchy, red, watery eyes.
  • Wheezing and difficulty breathing.
  • Cough.
  • Throat irritation.
  • Skin irritation, such as a rash.
  • Headache.

Can a mold infested house be saved?

Chances are that you will need to renovate the area after mold remediation is complete. In worst-case scenarios, your home may be condemned, especially if it is infested with toxic mold. This is an extreme scenario – and often preventable if you catch the mold issue early enough.

How do you stop recurring mold?

To prevent mould recurrence, ensure optimal indoor humidity (between 40-60%) by utilising dehumidifiers or air conditioners. Regularly ventilate your property, especially after cooking, showering, or drying clothes indoors. Maintain good insulation to avoid condensation on walls and windows.

How to ventilate a room to stop mold?

Ventilation via a window

When rooms are ventilated via a window the fresh air and the spent air flow in and flow out through the same window. This is a customary way to ventilate and is the most generally practiced.

Can mold be eliminated from a house?

Removing mold is tough because mold spores are everywhere. Getting rid of every last spore might not be possible. But, professional mold removal can greatly reduce mold levels. This makes your home safer for you and your family.

What is the best natural mold killer?

Yes, vinegar is a mild acid that kills 82% of mold species. It's often used as a natural and nontoxic alternative to cleaning chemicals when it comes to killing household mold. Cleaning vinegar, which contains 6% acetic acid, is the best type for killing mold.

What kills 100% of mold?

Vinegar can kill mold by penetrating it to its roots. Other options include hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, essential oils, and lemon. For larger mold infestations, homeowners will want to hire a professional mold remediation company.

Does home insurance cover mold?

Homeowners insurance doesn't usually cover mold damage or removal unless it's the result of a covered peril. If the mold in your residence was caused by something sudden or accidental, such as a bursting pipe or some other covered incident on your policy, you may be protected.

Can you paint over mold?

While painting over mould may temporarily disguise the problem, paint alone will not kill mould. Instead, the mould will continue to grow underneath the paint until it begins to show through. It may also cause the paint to bubble or flake, ruining the finish. If possible, it's best to remove the mould before painting.

Is it okay to live in a house with mold?

Mold can cause you and your family serious health issues. Mold spores can lessen the air quality in a home, creating toxic living conditions. Depending on the type of mold in a home, spores can cause sneezing, runny noses, wheezing, headaches and fatigue.

What should I throw out after mold?

What Do You Throw Away After Mold Remediation? Materials that were heavily infested and couldn't be fully cleaned should be thrown away after mold remediation. This includes porous items (e.g., carpeting, ceiling tiles, insulation) to prevent mold spores from spreading.

How do professionals remove mold?

Quality mold remediation professionals may use brushes or sponges and specialized cleaning solutions to remove mold colonies alongside vacuums to extract spores. It is necessary to ensure that every part of a structure is free of mold before restoration starts.

Can you clean up mold yourself?

Scrub mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water, and dry completely. Fix plumbing leaks and other water problems as soon as possible. Dry all items completely. Absorbent or porous materials, such as ceiling tiles and carpet, may have to be thrown away if they become moldy.

How to tell if your house is toxic?

If you suspect your asthma worsens or is more severe than usual, contact your doctor or medical professional.
  1. Bad Smells In The Home. When there's a bad smell in the home, you can tell. ...
  2. Peeling Wallpaper. ...
  3. Spots On The Wall. ...
  4. Bad Allergies Won't Go Away. ...
  5. Visible Mold Growth. ...
  6. Past Water Damage.

Can mold behind walls make you sick?

It irritates the nose and throat, which can lead to both sneezing and coughing as your body tries to get rid of the irritant. Inhaling mold spores can also trigger coughing in people with allergies or an asthma attack, for those with asthma.

What is the best spray to get rid of mold?

Our Top Picks
  • Best Overall: SALE. ...
  • Best Fast Acting: RMR-86 Instant Mold and Mildew Stain Remover at Amazon $17. ...
  • Best Preventative: Mold Armor Mold Blocker at Amazon $11. ...
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  • Best Gel: Skylarlife Mold & Mildew Remover Gel at Amazon $15.

How do you stop mold from coming back?

To stop mould from coming back after cleaning it you need to deal with the cause of the growth. This will be because of excess moisture due to a leak, condensation, rising damp or poor ventilation. Remove the moisture supply and you'll stop mould coming back.

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