It’s a time of year when there is a lot of moisture, from the humidity outside to air cooling inside, which can be Mold’s optimal conditions to thrive and expand. As warmer weather indicates more mold growth and mildew, it’s the perfect time to begin implementing strategies to minimize mold growth within your Home and eliminate it.
When I heard it was September’s Mold Awareness Month, I decided to speak with an expert to get helpful advice. Michael Rubino, Mold and air quality expert and co-founder of HomeCleanse provided his advice on how you can reduce the growth of Mold and keep your home safe, clean, and healthy home all through the year.
The Effects of Mold
According to Rubino, many people do not consider Mold’s effects on our wellbeing and wellbeing. Mold, one of the fungi prevalent throughout the globe, reproduces by creating microscopic spores and then releasing them in the surrounding environment. According to him, the tiny spores travel around in the air and eventually land on the surfaces they come into contact with.
“The average individual breathes in 20,000 breaths a day and spends around 90 percent of their time indoors,” says Rubino. “Every when you’re in an indoor space you’re breathing through the air as well as touching objects. If there’s a high concentration of toxins within the Home, more more contaminants are leaking into the body and can lead to a myriad of health issues, including difficulty breathing and an impaired immunity.”
How to Reduce and Prevent Mold
Rubino shares tips on limiting Mold’s growth and keeping it from returning.
Keep Your HVAC air filter
Rubino describes The HVAC as”the “lungs of the home” since they clean air and other dust, so maintaining the HVAC system every two years is vital to avoid the growth of Mold and other issues.
“Condensation could build up inside the unit due to temperature fluctuations and allow the growth of hidden Mold. A skilled technician must thoroughly clean the coil and make sure the furnace, blower, and cabinets are in good condition to ensure they function properly,” he says. “Overall, maintaining your HVAC requires two steps: switching to the highest-rated MERV filter possible for the specific HVAC system, helping eliminate microscopic contaminants like mold spores; and changing these filters on time, checking the manufacturer’s instructions on when to replace them.”
Furthermore, he recommends regular maintenance of AC window units, as they will attract more dirt, debris, and germs from outside. Although every machine is unique, he recommends cleaning it at least twice yearly, once before and after the peak season, changing the filters on time, and turning up the humid setting.
Clean frequently -especially in humid places
Set yourself and the other people within your Home a daily, weekly, bi-annually, monthly, and yearly cleaning schedule so you’re not slacking in preventing Mold, suggests Rubino. Cleaning condensation and water around the shower and sinks should be a regular task. Cleaning the tops of doors and cabinets is a good idea every month, and your filter maintenance is done at least once yearly.
” Vacuum your mattress’ entire surface; reduce clutter so that there are fewer surfaces for particles like mold spores and other contaminants to collect; keep appliances clean and dry so that they function properly and avoid microbial growth; actively throw away spoiled food; keep your kitchen sponge dry and replace it every few weeks; keep grout and caulk clean; deep clean your showerhead at least once a month, or more frequently if you live in a hard water area; separate the shower curtain and liner to dry after showering; and properly hang up towels, washrags, loofahs, and bathmats,” Rubino advises. Rubino.
In the case of chemicals for cleaning, Mr. cautions against using bleach since “it fails to support our indoor air quality, and does not properly handle microbial growth in a home.” Instead, he suggests the following products:
Benefect 30 Decon Disinfectant Cleaner is an all-surface natural cleaner used to neutralize surface pollutants using an active ingredient derived from the oil.
EC3 Laundry Additive and the Mold Spray is an environmentally friendly spray that uses citrus seed extracts and tea tree oils to treat Mold and its products.
A HEPA vacuum cleaner uses an ultra-fine filter that removes tiny particles but does not release them back.
Microfiber towels retain moisture well and can eliminate tiny particles such as mold spores because of their ability to generate static electricity. They also have a tightly intertwined fabric.
“We can’t put a bubble around our homes, so cleaning regularly, including appliances, will not only promote healthier indoor air quality, but also reduce the opportunities for microbial growth to develop,” He declares. “As the saying goes: ‘An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.'”
Keep moisture levels low
Mold growth can occur within as little as 24-48 hours upon a damp surface, claims Rubino, and therefore, striving to eliminate any feasible moisture is essential in preventing the growth of microbes. The reduction of water is the primary important factor in stopping the growth of Mold and spreading.
“The ideal humidity in homes should be in the range of 35 to 50 percent. If humidity levels are too high, it may create an increase in microbial activity and low quality indoor air and structural problems,” he says. “In addition to investing in a hydrometer to monitor indoor humidity levels and keep moisture low, you can also keep windows and doors closed when the AC is on, as warm outdoor air combined with chilly indoor air can create condensation; turn on the exhaust fan and crack a door or window while showering; turn on fans to increase air circulation; avoid leaving wet clothes in the laundry; clean standing water right away; fix leaks as soon as possible; and reduce carpeting throughout the home, which is notorious for retaining moisture.”
Buy air purification
Purifiers for the air can be an excellent way to minimize the dust in the house by removing airborne pollutants so they don’t circulate through interior spaces and contaminate your body. Rubino recommends purchasing one that can remove the most significant contaminants possible.
“The most effective option is to buy an entire-home air purifier. The systems are placed at the entry point, and effectively get rid of pollutants from the air so the HVAC system will run smoothly,” he says. “This will remove particles from the entire residence, which eliminates the need for space that smaller units require. Additionally they provide the protection of the HVAC itself, by removing contaminants prior to their entry into in the HVAC system.”