Mold is a natural part of our environment. It’s all around us, indoors and outdoors, in the form of tiny spores floating through the air. In small amounts, mold spores are completely normal and usually harmless. But when the conditions inside a home become too damp or humid, mold can start to grow more actively on surfaces, which can create musty smells and visible patches.
The good news is that it’s easy to keep mold in check with a little awareness and a few simple habits. It takes some amount of motivation and definitely persistence, which in a family household could mean you get to play the bad guy until good habits are instilled.
Let’s start with some facts worthy of knowing.
Mold and mildew are types of fungi. While they are often lumped together, there are slight differences. Mildew usually grows on the surface of damp areas and often looks white or gray and powdery. You’ll commonly find mildew on shower tiles or around windows where condensation builds up. Most molds, on the other hand, appear darker, like black, green or brown. They tend to grow into materials like caulking, drywall, wood, or fabric rather than just sitting on the surface.
Seeing a little mold doesn’t necessarily mean your entire home is unhealthy. It simply means there’s an opportunity to manage the moisture that’s feeding it. A very important fact to always remember is that mold needs moisture to grow, so the best way to control it is to stay on top of humidity and dampness inside the house.
Signs that a space might be too damp include condensation on windows or pipes, musty smells that linger in the air, paint that’s peeling or bubbling — and/or water stains on walls or ceilings. Even the back of closets can capture humidity if the overall humidity in the household is above 60 percent for a long period of time. If the humidity indoors is high enough, you might sometimes notice allergy-like symptoms, like sneezing or coughing, especially when you’re inside for long periods.
If you do find a small patch of mold growing, most of the time it can be cleaned up easily. Once you determine the source of the humidity or dampness, you can then scrub those small patches off with soap and water, and if needed a diluted bleach solution or a store-bought mold cleaner.
Make sure the area you cleaned has a chance to dry completely. When cleaning, it’s a good idea to wear gloves and a mask just to avoid breathing in too many spores. For bigger mold problems, like large patches or mold in drywall, carpets, or insulation, it’s smart to call in a professional who can remove the affected materials and make sure any hidden moisture issues are handled.
Any hidden cause of moisture must be handled before cleanup can or should occur. Otherwise, yes you guessed it, the mold will return.
When it comes to prevention, it’s all about moisture control. Ventilation is key. Using exhaust fans in bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms can make a big difference. On nice days, simply opening windows can help air out the home and lower humidity. If you have areas of the house that stay damp — like a basement — running a dehumidifier will help keep the humidity under control.
Bathroom dampness — especially bathrooms without a window — may need a different approach. Placing a moisture-absorbing cannister containing calcium chloride crystals in the bathroom along with a good working exhaust fan used every time someone takes a shower or bath will reduce humidity.
There are many different types of products on the market that will help keep an otherwise constantly damp room drier.
Fixing leaks quickly is another important step. Even a small drip under a sink or from a window can create a pocket of moisture where mold will thrive.
What about that puddle of water you sometimes find down by the toilet tank? Most of the time it’s condensation that forms on the tank and drips down onto the floor creating a more humid environment. Insulating cold surfaces, like pipes and exterior walls, can also help prevent condensation from forming. Waterproofing basements and crawl spaces is a smart investment in areas prone to flooding or heavy rain. DYI videos can help you determine what product you need and how much.
A hygrometer is a small device that measures humidity levels indoors. Ideally, you want to keep the humidity somewhere between 30 percent and 50 percent. Such a small step can go a long way in helping maintain a healthy home environment. We use the hygrometer in our dining room. During one very wet and humid summer I noticed some white powdery stuff (mildew) on a leg of a piece of furniture in the dining room. I pulled all my furniture away from the walls and found mildew on several pieces. Right away. we purchased a small dehumidifier and began paying more attention to the hygrometer.
Living with mold spores in the air is just part of life. The goal isn’t to eliminate mold completely. That’s neither possible nor necessary. Instead, you can prevent mold from growing out of control and enjoy a clean, fresh living space if you stay motivated and pay attention to the humidity in your home and then when needed be persistent in managing that humidity.
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