Prevent Mold in Your Home With These 5 Steps

Mold is a nightmare for a home owner. It gives the air a musty odor and can be unhealthy if left unchecked. While bleach and water will usually do the trick to get rid of mold, the best advice is to prevent it from getting a foothold in your home in the first place.

Mold grows best in warm and moist climates. One defense against mold is to keep your home under 72 degrees Fahrenheit. However, most people don’t want to go too far under this threshold, so the best way to prevent mold is usually to deal with the moisture.

Cutting Back on Moist Environments

Your home can get wet or moist in a number of ways, which can lead to mold growing there. Here are some ideas to cut down on the problem.

1. Don’t leave wet clothes and towels lying around. Mold can start to grow on wet clothes in under 48 hours. When your clothes are finished washing, put them right in the dryer. Don’t allow wet towels to lie clumped in a corner.
2. Clean and dry all surfaces. Sinks and floors and even walls are likely to have mold if they are damp for too long. Keep them clean. A vapor steam cleaner is an excellent choice. Once they are clean, make sure you dry these surfaces right away.
3. Run the fan in your bathroom. Keep the steam in your bathroom to a minimum by running the fan when you take a shower.
4. Improve your airflow. Keep furniture away from the walls. Leave your closet doors ajar. Try the fan and an open window rather than the air conditioning. Every step you take to improve your airflow will help in the fight against mold.
5. Try a dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers are great for basements and any room that can grow damp.

With a little bit of prevention, you can cut back on or even eliminate the mold that grows in your home. Not only will it leave your house smelling fresher, it will promote better health.

For Further Reading:

4 Signs You Have a Mold or Mildew Problem

3 Ways to Minimize Fall Mold Allergies

NYS Labor Law Article 32 Means More Protection for Homeowners and Business Owners Dealing with Mold