The answer is simple: keep your home dry. If mold does not have moisture it cannot grow. Remember mold spores are everywhere so you cannot completely keep them out of your house. Since our houses are built with wood products and paper faced drywall, food for mold is always present.
The only effective way to permanently get rid of mould problems is by reducing the build-up of moisture in your home.
The most common cause of mold growth is excessive indoor humidity caused by lack of dehumidification or improper moisture management. During the summer, warm, humid air enters the house and it will condense on cooler surfaces, like air conditioned walls. These locations are likely first areas of mold growth.
Scrub the area with soap and water after a long vinegar soak, dehumidify as best as you can, then hit it with paint, sealer or whatever you're using. Bag up and throw away ALL debris, paper towels, masks, drop cloth or gloves that you use as mold spores can adhere to them and spread.
Hydrogen peroxide, commonly used to disinfect wounds, is active against a wide variety of micro-organisms including mold. It acts by releasing oxygen at a rapid rate, which kills mold by oxidizing the surface and breaking down proteins and DNA.
Indoor mold growth can and should be prevented or controlled by controlling moisture indoors. If there is mold growth in your home, you must clean up the mold and fix the water problem. If you clean up the mold, but don't fix the water problem, then, most likely, the mold problem will come back.
If cleaning with detergent doesn't work, it's possible to remove mould using diluted vinegar and a microfibre cloth. If mould cannot be removed using the vinegar method, cleaning with diluted bleach or a commercial product may be required.
a dehumidifier, which extracts moisture from the air, can be bought or hired. wipe down surfaces affected by condensation regularly to prevent mould growth. mould can be removed by washing the surface with a disinfectant or a fungicidal wash. This must be used in accordance with the manufacturers' instructions.
Many people believe that black mold is the most harmful type of mold that can affect both humans and pets. However, green molds can be as dangerous as black molds, especially to people with existing health issues. All colors of mold can be harmful and continuous exposure can trigger allergens and asthma attacks.
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.
Mould thrives in damp areas such as windows, where there is dust, dirt or organic material, that's why the number one way to reduce mould is to open your windows regularly. By opening the windows at least once a day, this allows the mould spores to escape and lets patches of moisture dry out.
Spray the Mould Blocker Spray onto the affected area, then leave to dry. The surface will now block mould from regrowing for up to six months, depending on the severity of the cause of mould. For severe mould problems, reapply the Mould Blocker Spray once a month.
The key to mold prevention is moisture control. Water entry into buildings or building crawl spaces should be controlled. If water enters a building through a leaking roof or because of a flood or accident, it should be removed immediately and affected areas should be dried out.
Thus, exposure to the toxicity of black mold can cause harm to our physical health. Cleaning it yourself risks a greatly increased chance of acquiring damaging health conditions by unsettling the toxins into the air. Depending on the frequency of mold exposure, an individual's health can be severely compromised.
Most often, a mold problem will be readily identified by a musty smell that becomes obvious in damp environments. Mold also likes to play hide and seek, so if you suspect there is a problem, then check under carpets, behind drywall, inside ductwork, in between bathroom tiles and in other moisture-prone areas.
Mould will easily grow and spread if the right conditions are present. So, dehumidifiers don't kill mould, but they can help to prevent it from growing inside your home by reducing humidity. However, the best way to deal with it is to get rid of its source.
Chemical or Natural Mold Cleaners
Use undiluted white vinegar on hard surfaces in kitchens and baths. Apply it directly to the mold. Make a bleach solution to kill mold. Mix one cup of bleach in a gallon of water.
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.
Vinegar is natural and safe mild acid that can kill 82% of mold species. Plus it doesn't give off dangerous fumes like bleach. If you want to use vinegar to prevent mold growth on surfaces, spray vinegar on the surface and leave it. Repeat every few days to keep the surface mold-free.
Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the vinegar and water mixture directly onto the moldy surface, allowing it to sit for at least 10 to 15 minutes. Using a scrub brush or sponge, scrub the moldy area in a circular motion, ensuring you cover the entire affected area.
Expert Tip: If you have mold on your walls , do not paint over it. This will only cause it to grow more underneath the paint. Instead, get rid of the mold before priming and painting.
Keep surfaces and household textiles clean because mold grows on materials contaminated with soil and grease. Use a grease-cutting solution of detergent and water to wash hard surfaces like walls and floors to remove organic material that supports mold growth.