House Mold Treatment

Mold and mildew quite often appear on  surfaces within homes if they are exposed to moisture on a regular basis. Both of these molds are tiny fungi which flourish in areas if high humidity or damp. In many places mold can be a year round problem caused by high humidity in summer months and condensation when the temperatures drop in winter. The most likely place to find mold and mildew is on cellulose bases materials such as wood, cotton, paper and also protein materials like  for example leather, wool and silk on which it can feed, synthetic materials are on the whole unaffected.

Mold Growth On Wall

Mold will also attack carpets, rugs, shower curtains, walls and ceilings – the actual fabric of your home. It is important to remember that mold and mildew spores are very hardy and can stay in a dormant state for long periods until the moisture level in the you home rises to a sufficient level for them to begin to grow. Not only will it cause unsightly blackish stains and a horrid musty odour but if no mold treatment is applied it will literally destroy your fabrics as it eats into them.

The best mold treatment is no treatment it is prevention! Here are some tips which may help.

1. Good housekeeping is a good place to start, dirt and grim provide mold with the food it needs to grow and multiply.

2. Use wax as a barrier on leather items. This will stop moisture and therefore protect against mold. Alternatively there are sprays available.

3. Don’t leave dirty, wet clothing lying around – put them in the laundry basket!

Allow Shower Curtain To Dry

4. Open out your shower curtain and allow it to dry.

5. If you have a problem with moisture in closets etc. storing clothing along with moisture inhibitors to prevent mildew is a good idea. If the weather is favourable, air your clothes outside in the sunshine if possible.

6. Ventilation should be a priority to keep air circulating. Open windows, switch on an electric fan. Stagnant, moist air is heaven for mold!

7. Leave your closet doors open now and then to let air circulate and remember NOT to put clothes which are not completely dry in the closet.

8. Lastly but very importantly dry out the areas of dampness or excess moisture which is accumulated through normal daily routine or through leaks etc. Any problems should be repaired and then remove the moisture either with a dehumidifier absorbent silica or something similar or simply by heating and opening windows.

Mold treatment for different types of materials will vary. Here are a few tips for mold treatment.

Fabrics and Clothes:

The most important thing is that you start mold treatment as soon as you discover the problem. The first thing to do is brush the item to remove as much of the mold as possible – Remember to do this outside so as not so allow mold spores to spread throughout the house. Launder the item using detergent and if possible allow to dry outside in the sunshine.

There are a few specially designed detergents for this purpose but there are other alternatives such as the use of lemon juice and salt which is applied to the item and left to sun dry. Chlorine bleach is another option. Dilute 2 tablespoons in a quart of warm water and leave the stain to soak for between 5 and 15 minutes, then rise and allow to dry. The big problem with using bleach is that it definitely cannot be used on wool or silk items and it can remove the colour from items also, so caution should be taken if using this option.

Carpets, Rugs, Upholstery and Mattresses.

Mold treatment in soft furnishings can be a real pain in the neck. There are a few options open to you but the first step is the same no matter what the item is. Remove the item from the house and brush loose mold off – this should be done with great care – please ensure you are wearing the necessary protective gear i.e. gloves, face mask and goggles – then vacuum up as much as possible. The next step is to dry the item out preferably outside in the sun but if this is not possible you could use a heater or perhaps a dehumidifier.

In the case of mattresses and upholstery the mold treatment is usually to use a cloth soaked in an alcohol solution used to wipe the mold infected area then dry out properly. If you have a mattress or chair etc. which is particularly bad the only real method of mold treatment is fumigation.

For carpets and rugs you could try using a carpet shampooing machine or a detergent and damp cloth.
There are once again commercial products designed specifically for this purpose.

Wood.

Where you have wood which has not been treated or painted you will have a greater risk of mold and mildew forming if the surface becomes wet or damp. Painting with enamel or oil resin paints usually keeps wood resistant.

mold treatment for wood involves scrubbing the area down with something like washing soda or an organic detergent. It is important that the area is dried out as quickly as possible and then painted  or sprayed with a protective substance which will act as a barrier and will prevent mold spores germinating in the same area in future.

Caution: If you are unsure of the type of mold in your house please consult a professional – it may be toxic.