Kill Mold & Mildew for a Healthy Home
Many Effective Cleaning Products are Inexpensive Household Items
Sep 21, 2009
There's an old proverb that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. It's not always easy to prevent the growth of black mold, or other molds and mildew. All they need to grow is a little moisture and something to feed on. They often grow in places that aren't convenient to clean. Stopping moisture can save a difficult cleanup and maintain a healthy home. Check here for more in depth description of molds and the toxins associated with them.
Preventing Mold and Mildew Indoors
Removing dirt from surfaces helps to eliminate a source of food for mold and mildew to grow. This is especially effective on hard, non-porous surfaces, such as shower stalls, kitchen counters, and hard plastic. Wash clothes, curtains, and other washable fabrics regularly. Fabrics and other items that can't be washed, such as cushions, drapes, throw rugs, and pillows benefit greatly from being aired outside for a couple of hours.
Where moisture is, mold and mildew can follow very quickly. Moving air helps to dry moisture quickly. That's why it's important to use bathroom and kitchen fans regularly to remove excess moisture. Houses that are shut up without either the air conditioning or the heat running are breeding grounds for mold and mildew. Keep the central heat or air running, or the windows open to prevent growth. In case of a lot of moisture, from a roof or plumbing leak, remove excess water and use fans to dry the area quickly.
Crawl spaces and basements are especially prone to moisture. Dehumidifiers can help as well as good ventilation. Keep vents in working order. Open them in the summer to allow air flow through the crawl space. Keeping a fan running when conditions are damp is another option. An automatic attic fan is a good investment. Keep it in good operating condition.
Three Mold and Mildew Removal Methods
- Physical removal is simply disposing of items that are affected. Do not try to sweep away, as sweeping disperses it into the air and your lungs. You also don't want the spores in your vacuum cleaner.
- Burning or freezing for a period of time is impractical in a home setting, but will kill it.
- Chemically killing it is effective for all but the most serious problems
Products That Kill Mold & Mildew
- Chlorine bleach kills almost all species
- Vinegar won't kill as many species as bleach
- Borax
- Ammonia
The easist way to use the items is to put them in a well labeled spray bottle. Use rubber gloves to protect your hands. Bleach can cause serious chemical burns, don't allow it to stay on your skin, wash well with lots of water. Don't mix bleach with other chemicals. Stain killing paint will not kill mold and mildew, it simply covers it up.
Regular cleaning and keeping good airflow in your home is the best mold and mildew prevention. Immediately kill any that grows to prevent it from becoming a serious threat to your health. Serious infestations, such as extensive growth in walls and wood due to flooding, is best handled by a professional.
For other cleaning jobs, check out non-toxic Ram Cleaner.
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