Molds can be described as a kind of fungus, which grow in numerous places naturally. However, molds in a home can negatively affect air quality and pose a health risk. Therefore, it is prudent to prevent the growth of molds in your house. Fortunately, preventing molds in your home is not complicated. This is because the secret lies in controlling humidity and moisture.
The following are some useful tips to prevent mold in your home:
1. Check Humidity Levels
Mold is known to grow in areas with a high moisture content and that is why you should keep your house dry. The best way to go about this is to install a hygrometer to measure the levels of moisture inside. The recommended moisture levels are 60% or lower.
2. Open Windows When Showering
The windows to your bathroom should be opened whenever you are taking a bath or shower. This helps to vent out moisture thus preventing its build up. Alternatively, you can open a door to the bathroom if there is no window.
3. Wipe Down Bathroom Walls
Mold growth is promoted by the moisture that sits on the bathtub or shower walls. You can use a squeegee, towel or sponge to wipe down such walls after taking a bath.
4. Manage Damp Clothes
Wet clothes should not be left to just sit inside the washing machine, this encourages mold growth in the home. Make sure that wet clothes are transferred to the line or drier after the completion of a washing cycle. Similarly, damp towels or clothes should always hang to dry rather than being left bunched up inside laundry baskets.
5. Cleans Floods And Spills Immediately
24-48 hours is the amount of time that it takes mold to begin growing on surfaces that are damp. This is why you should always address standing water with urgency. Pay attention to water on foundation walls and basement floors, bedding, clothing, furniture as well as carpets and floors.
6. Use Vents And Exhaust Fans
The importance of exhaust vents in numerous rooms in a home cannot be underestimated, especially in the laundry room, bathroom and kitchen. Ensure exhaust fans are turned on whenever you are bathing or cooking in the bathroom and kitchen. In addition, the drier should be vented outside in the laundry room. Basements and crawl spaces in the home should also be well-ventilated. In cases where the air is not circulating properly, install fans or vents.
7. Regularly Empty Drip Trays
There are appliances in the home that are fitted with drip trays to capture moisture and water. Some of them include dehumidifiers, air conditioners, and refrigerators. These should be regularly drained and properly cleaned to prevent mold growth.
8. Increase Air Circulation And Ventilation
Provide a source of fresh air and keep air moving in your house to regulate the levels of humidity in the home. Open windows to facilitate ventilation whenever the weather is conducive, this keeps out stale air. The use of ceiling fans all-year round can also assist in circulation.
Conclusion
Some houses might be infected with mold but the inhabitants fail to realize this because the sensitivity of people varies. However, if the moisture and humidity levels are managed as explained above, mold will not grow in your home.
