Keeping the air conditioner set at 78 degrees or lower prevents mold buildup in the summer. Even when leaving for a few days or vacation, don't set it above 80. A higher setting won't provide enough dehumidification from the cooling process to prevent spores from growing.
The ONLY way to permanently protect your collections from mold is to control the environment by keeping the temperature within 65°-70° Fahrenheit and the relative humidity within 45%-65%. Prevention is the key but if you do experience a mold outbreak there are non-chemical means for clean-up and recovery.
The optimal temperature to discourage mold growth is around 77-78 degrees Fahrenheit. At this temperature, your AC will effectively remove moisture from the air, which is a key factor in mold prevention.
Temperature Mold spores typically need a temperature of 50--60°F (10--16°C) to survive. To prevent mold growth, you can try to keep your home's temperature above 60--65°F. Humidity Mold grows best in moist, humid environments. You can try to keep your home's humidity below 60%, ideally between 30--50%.
Boiling water can kill mold outright (more on this in the next section), but you can't exactly boil your walls or carpet. However, you may be able to kill mold by heating it enough to dry it out. Most molds can be killed at temperatures of 140 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit, but the effect isn't immediate.
Cold rooms especially are often rarely visited by homeowners, but contain a damp, dark and cold environment that allow mold to flourish. Many people only consider mold growth following a water leak or flooding, but mold can grow anywhere, anytime in areas of your home that are damp and cold.
First of all, mold loves moisture and high temperatures. That's why mold season in the US is considered early spring to mid-fall. In the spring, the weather starts to warm up, and there is more moisture in the air. Midsummer is the peak time for mold growth.
Let the fresh air in: Moving fresh air is also unfriendly to mildew and mold growth. A fresh breeze through an area or air movement from ceiling fans can minimize mildew and mold growth. Use a dehumidifier: If you have a problem in a specific room or area, a portable dehumidifier can be a solution.
While the exact conditions for mould growth are rarer during the summer, it is still possible. And mould spores can wait.
Ventilation fans are the best way to prevent mold build up inside a home. Think about it: what happens when a home has a flood? Typically, a water damage expert will be called in and the first thing they do is bring in ventilation fans to dry out the moisture and wetness inside the home.
Your AC can control the temperature and humidity in your home, which can prevent mold growth. During the hot, humid summers, set your air conditioner between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. The relative humidity in your house should not exceed 50%.
Mould requires the RH to exceed 70% for some time before it will start growing. Scientists have shown that for people to feel comfortable and stay healthy, RH should be in the range 30-60% in the temperature range 18 to 25 Celsius.
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.
In general, it's recommended to set your thermostat to 55 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. This may seem high compared to the freezing point of 32 degrees Fahrenheit, but it'll help keep the interior of the floor and wall cavities – where your plumbing is often located – safely above freezing temperatures.
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.
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.
The best way to prevent mold is to control moisture. Keep the indoor humidity below 60% relative humidity, ideally between 30% and 50%. Repair leaky pipes and faucets. Turn on the exhaust fans when bathing and cooking.
Many fungi grow well at temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, which are also ideal temperatures for human comfort. In addition, as mentioned above, temperature gradients often produce the moisture needed for mold growth.
Mold spores count is highest at night, especially when it's foggy, damp or rainy.
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.
For large amounts of mold, the only method that kills mold 100%, every time, is removing all of the mold-infested materials entirely, and replacing them with new materials.
Using Air Purifiers
Air purifiers and air cleaners are devices that remove airborne pollutants from the air in your home, including mold spores. In general, they work by drawing air into the system, which then passes through a series of filters designed to capture and remove microscopic particles from the air.
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.