According to a 2022 report from OSHA and the CDC, as many as 47% of homes in the United States are either affected by chronic dampness or have mold. Many indoor environmental professionals actually think that the percentage is higher–closer to 65%.
Naturally, this means that millions of people around the country live at risk of mold exposure from their indoor environments.
So what can you do to help push back against this inconvenient and unwelcome reality? Here are some helpful tips.
Find and Correct the Problem Areas
Mold loves (and requires) damp conditions, so controlling dampness in the home can help you remedy mold at the proverbial root.
Bathrooms, basements, attics and crawl spaces are at particular risk here, as these areas are often chronically damp, especially in humid climates.
The fix could be simple; running a ventilator in the bathroom when using it, or they could be much more serious, as in the case of waterproofing the basement.
But know this: the cost of addressing the issue now will be much more economical than the cost of remediating mold damage in the future.
Keep It Dry
Mold needs water, so water is the primary problem here. Address spills, leaks, wicking, seeping and flooding right away.
For instance, if you’ve ever had a pipe burst or experienced water intrusion into your basement after a period of heavy rainfall, and carpets, rugs, furniture or other materials, surfaces or fabrics are affected, clean and dry them – or remove them – immediately.
Don’t leave wet items lying around the house; you should also actively dry the walls and floors after bathing, and don’t leave your clothes sitting in the washer.
Mold can grow in all of these places. Proactivity can help prevent these issues.
Another tip is to use mold-resistant soft surfaces and materials in and around your home, as the opportunity allows
Ensure Proper Ventilation
Airflow helps keep a house dry and therefore can help prevent mold, mildew stains, and worse.
Any appliance you use that creates moisture (like the stove or dryer) should be vented to the outside, not the attic or another room in your home.
Run fans when you are in the shower, open the windows when you are cooking, or install dehumidifiers in chronically humid locations (like closets and basements) especially if you live in a wet climate.
Monitor Humidity
According to the EPA, a home’s humidity level should range between 30% and 60%. Optimal indoor humidity is actually in the 46% range. Too low can aggravate respiratory and skin conditions, too high can do the same. You can get a hygrometer for a few dollars at most hardware stores to help you monitor indoor humidity levels easily.
Your home’s HVAC system can help you control the humidity in your home, as both the heat and AC can lower it. Opening the windows on a dry day can also help, as can installing dehumidifiers in problem areas.
Be Ready with an Appropriate Mold Solution Spray
Of course, you can also actively control mold with an appropriate mold solution spray, like Micro Balance Health Products’ EC3 Mold Spray, which is formulated with powerful natural botanicals.
This unique mold solution spray is carefully crafted with a blend of citrus seed extracts and is highly effective at controlling both mold and mold spores. It contains no harmful chemicals (making it ideal for sensitive individuals) and it can be used to remove mold on both hard and soft surfaces, including clothes, fabrics, furniture, walls, counters, and floors.
Mold Control Starts with You!
There isn’t one single solution to mold removal or prevention, but together, the tips outlined in this article can help you rid your home of mold and prevent future growth, shielding you, your children and pets from mold and mycotoxins. Put some of them into practice today.
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