Most people are unaware of the fact that every building has mold.  Mold will always exist in your living space, albeit in small amounts.  Problems arise when excess mold spores form and make your home unhealthy to live in.  It is even possible that an excess of mold will compromise the structural integrity of your living space.  Let’s take a quick look at how to prevent mold from forming and how to clean mold that has already formed.

 

 

Reduce the Moisture in Your Home to Prevent Mold Formation

Water damage and/or high humidity are the primary causes of mold formation.  Even if your home is slightly damp, it will prove conducive to the formation of mold.  Mold and mildew can grow on drywall, insulation, wallpaper, cardboard, ceiling tiles, wood and even fabric.  Mold growth typically forms in damp areas between 24 and 48 hours after excess water/moisture exposure.  Unfortunately, mold spores will move through the air in your home, putting your health in danger.  If your home has endured water exposure be it in the form of a flood, a broken pipe, an overflowing toilet or even a large spill, it is imperative you have the affected area cleaned and dried without delay.  When in doubt, add a dehumidifier to your home.  A dehumidifier will eliminate the majority of the moisture from your living space, drastically reducing the chances of mold formation.

 

The bathroom is likely to have a considerable amount of mold due to the water used in the shower.  The best way to prevent mold formation in your bathroom is to keep it well-ventilated.  Consider adding an exhaust fan to ensure the bathroom air continues to circulate instead of stagnating.  Air that circulates is less likely to allow moisture to form.  It will also help to spread out towels after using them to expedite the drying process.  Furthermore, reducing the number of containers in the shower will also minimize the chances of mold formation and facilitate circulation.  It will also help to select a shower curtain that dries comparably easily to reduce moisture and ultimately prevent the formation of mold.

 

 

Eliminating the Mold

If your mold problem is excessive, you will likely need the assistance of a professional mold remediation crew.  Though it is impossible to remove every single mold spore from your living space, mold remediation will eliminate the majority of the mold, dry the affected areas and return your living space to at least a semblance of normalcy. 

 

If the mold problem is not excessive, a DIY (do it yourself) attempt to clean it might prove effective.  However, merely spraying the visible mold with an all-purpose cleaner and wiping it away with a paper towel probably won’t suffice.  A little more preparation and nuance will be necessary for a truly effective clean.  If you do not want to invest a considerable amount of time, money and effort in eliminating the mold, you can perform a DIY cleaning that has the potential to remove some or possibly even the bulk of the mold.  Wipe a damp cloth along the visible mold.  Spray a cleaning agent such as a bathroom cleaner on the area where the mold was removed.  Wipe this area once again with a clean cloth.  Though this is not the most in-depth clean, it is certainly cheaper than paying a mold remediation team to tackle the problem.

 

As noted above, mold is especially likely to form in the bathroom as this part of the home tends to be excessively moist.  In particular, mold and mildew are likely to form along the shower curtain as it is subjected to water every single day.  Though plenty of people will simply throw out a shower curtain that appears to be compromised by mold, it might be possible to clean it for continued use.  Clean the shower curtain with a solution comprised of half a cup of liquid disinfectant and a gallon of hot water.  Rinse the cleaned curtain with a mix containing lemon juice, salt and hot water.  Wash the shower curtain with detergent, rinse it in clear water and let it dry before hanging it back up.