{"id":12280,"date":"2018-01-28T14:30:50","date_gmt":"2018-01-28T19:30:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thatorganicmom.com\/?p=12280"},"modified":"2021-08-10T16:39:12","modified_gmt":"2021-08-10T20:39:12","slug":"clean-up-mold","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thatorganicmom.com\/clean-up-mold\/","title":{"rendered":"Clean up mold or hire help; here’s how to decide what to do"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you discover mold in your home, it's important to act quickly. There are some precautions when you get rid of mold. First, consider the size of the moldy area<\/strong>, if it's less than 10 square feet<\/em>, in some cases, you may be able to clean it up following specific guidelines<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the mold covers more than a small space, you suspect mold in your HVAC<\/a>, there is a lot of water damage, or contaminated water\/sewage caused the mold, you will want to get in touch with a Mold Remediation professional. When in doubt, your safest option is to contact a certified remediation company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another important tip, if you are experiencing health concerns<\/a><\/strong>, get in touch with your health care professional before you clean up mold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mildew vs. Mold<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mildew refers to certain kinds of mold or fungus. The term mildew is often used generically to refer to mold growth, usually with a flat growth habit. Molds include all species of microscopic fungi that grow in the form of multicellular filaments, called hyphae.<\/p>Environmental Protection AGency<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Concerning mildew or moldy bathrooms, you probably do not need to call in professionals. If mold is in the shower or other areas of the bathroom, increase ventilation by opening a window or running a fan. It might also help to double up on your cleaning rotation; instead of once a week, maybe clean the bathrooms twice per week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keeping humidity down is key in mold prevention<\/strong>. In homes with dampness, consider a dehumidifier to prevent mold infestation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Clean<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Wear gloves and a mask<\/a> to avoid breathing in mold spores<\/strong>. “Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores; the spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air.” (1) Scrub mold off the hard surfaces with detergent and water and allow the surface to dry completely. If necessary, point a fan at the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Important note: it is NOT recommended to use chlorine bleach<\/strong> to clean up mold as doing so can release mold spores into the air<\/strong> which can then land on other surfaces or worse you may breathe them into your lungs. *see infographic below<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Warning<\/strong>. The EPA does not recommend that immune-compromised individuals be present during mold clean up<\/a>. Allergic reactions can still occur from the dead mold, so it's vital to kill and remove the mold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have a mold problem and symptoms of mold toxicity, consider hiring a mold inspector or mold remediation company to investigate. Mold can grow in other places besides your bathroom, including ceiling tiles, crawlspace, and other areas of your home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In crawl spaces, the inspector will check for moldy surfaces. In your home, they can do air quality tests that will determine which type of mold is present in your air. You'll want to prevent future mold growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Suggested items to clean up mold yourself<\/h2>\n\n\n\n