Mildew and mold are some of the worst things to have on your walls, floors and tiles. Not only do they make whatever surface they’re on unpleasant to look at, but they can also pose a major health hazard. They are known to cause allergic reactions that can make your life miserable. Some variants can also cause severe reactions that can land you a trip to the hospital.
So it is best to make sure that your home is free from them. However, before we start tackling the prevention and removal of these parasitic plants, we first have to understand the problem at hand.
Understanding The Problem
Mildew and mold are fungi that thrive in damp, dark, and moist areas. So basements, bathrooms and washrooms, are prime candidates for them to thrive in. They’ll make themselves at home in between tiles and tile grout, near plumbing, and under objects. However they aren’t always found here. They can also be found in odd places around your home or business.
Seeing mold in odd places also means that you may have a bigger problem at hand. This means that you’re likely going to find water in places where they can be found. If you find any mold or mildew in unusual places, you might just have a leak somewhere.
They also spread through the use of spores that hang around still air. Spores are very small and are easily pushed by air currents. This is both an advantage and disadvantage for the spore, as it can travel further, but it also means that moving air makes it harder for them to settle in ideal growing locations.
Now that we’ve explored what makes mold tick, it’s time to tackle how to more effectively handle their presence in your home or business!
What You Can do To Avoid and Remove Mildew And Mold
There are two ways you can deal with them; Prevention and Removal. Prevention will help ensure that they can’t take root, while removal will focus on making sure you know how to remove the problem directly.
Preventing The Spread of Mildew and Mold
Prevention is often better than cure, and doing these could save you several hours of scrubbing a room free of mold or mildew.
Lower the Humidity of The Area
We’ve previously mentioned that mildew and mold will thrive in areas with high levels of moisture in them. However, that doesn’t just mean surface level moisture that you’d see in the form of puddles or droplets. High air humidity can also encourage the growth of these parasitic plants.
So a good way to make sure that you’re making the environment as inhospitable as possible for them is to lower the air humidity. There are a few good ways to do this. One of the simplest ways is to keep the area ventilated. A more expensive, but very effective method is to use a dehumidifier.
Keep The Air Flowing And Ventilate Rooms
Keeping a room ventilated doesn’t just keep the humidity of the area low. It also comes with the added benefit of making sure that spores don’t have a chance to settle. Once a spore lands in a damp area, they’ll start to take root. This is why you need to make sure that air flows freely in areas you want to keep mold free. Ventilation fans, and even a simple opened window can very easily prevent spores from taking root.
Frequently Inspect Your Home or Business for Structural Damage
Water is one of the biggest needs of any form of plant life, mildew and mold included. The worst types are the kind that you don’t expect. Oftentimes growth in unusual spots is because of pipe damage or damage across your home. Luckily, regular inspections can help you spot these issues before they start letting in the fungi.
Removing Mildew and Mold
You have to remember that you won’t always be able to prevent the spread of mildew and mold. Especially since they are quite a persistent pest. In these situations, it pays to be ready to take a more direct approach to remove them.
Pay Attention to Where They Are Adhered to
When cleaning up any type of mold or mildew, you need to make sure that you know where they’re adhered to. This is because your cleaning method will depend on the material that they’re adhered to. For example, bleach is an excellent cleaning agent to remove them from walls and floors. However, it isn’t the best when it comes to removing them from carpets, clothes and upholstery.
Fix Issues that Are Causing the Spread of Mold As Soon As Possible
Spotting the issue causing the spread of mold is one thing. However, fixing it is another. Letting the damage stay for longer than you’ve spotted means that cleaning mildew and mold will be pointless as they still have a good environment to grow in. This is why you need to make sure that any structural damage is fixed as soon as possible. Once the damage is fixed, that’s when it is a good time to start cleaning the area.
Have The Right Cleaning Agent
Simply scrubbing down mildew and mold isn’t going to have a permanent effect. Oftentimes you will have spores on the surfaces you think you’ve completely cleaned up. This is why you need to make sure you’re using a cleaning agent to effectively kill off the spores. Vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, bleach, and baking soda are all great choices. Just make sure to use the right one for the right surface.
Final Thoughts
Avoiding mildew and mold should always be a top priority for any home, or business owner. Luckily you have numerous ways to get rid of them and even prevent them from spreading. We’re here to help you out with making sure that you have the know-how to do so!