Check on any type of upholstery or fabric regularly. Your crawl spaces, including crawl spaces under the house with a bare earth floor, typically have a relatively higher level of humidity compared to the rest of your home. This is an environment perfect for hidden mildew gross. Soil typically locks in moisture and as the relative temperature starts to dry out the soil, that evaporation increases the amount of moisture in the air. So, how do you prevent mildew?
The most effective way to prevent mildew in your home is to keep all areas in your home dry and free from moisture. Follow these steps:. Start by measuring the humidity levels in your home regularly. The best solution for this is to get an indoor dehumidifier. Have your heating and cooling system regularly checked.
Doing so will guarantee that the system is in optimal condition and that there is good air circulation throughout your home. It will also help to keep the air ducts clean and prevent any buildup that can beget mildew spores.
If you notice any leaks in your home, in the kitchen or the bathroom or anywhere else, have them repaired immediately. What starts as a small drip from your garbage disposal under the sink could eventually lead to mildew developing under your sink and if left unattended this could manifest in the form of more serious mold growth.
Also, make sure that you clean up any standing water. Always turn on the fans in your kitchen or your bathroom when you are showering or cooking. If you have an indoor laundry room that doesn't necessarily pipe the hot air outside, turn on a fan.
You want to keep your home dry and moisture free. If you notice water has spilled on the counter, clean it up and don't just wait for it to evaporate and leave moisture in the air. If any material in your home gets damp, dry it immediately. Fabric or rugs can be taken outside and put in the sun to dry before they are brought back into the house. Anyone with indoor plants needs to remove mildew spores from them as soon as possible. If you leave plants inside your home with mildew spots on the leaves or the soil it could contaminate the air you are breathing and spread.
Even if you have an outdoor garden, if you notice mildew growth on one of your cucumber plants, get rid of that plant before the mildew has a chance to spread. You don't want to harvest recently grown tomatoes, forget to wash one of them, and take a bite without realizing that the mildew has already jumped from one plant to the tomato plant. While it is simple to wipe away mildew growth on hard surfaces in your home, you should still work with a mildew removal professional early on.
The reason being, what you might see as mildew my only be a part of the problem. If your bathroom has mildew growth on the shower tiles, it could be nothing more than mildew growth.
But it could also be a sign of an internal leak and more serious mold growth behind the walls or in the floors. If you have children in the home or you suffer from a pre-existing respiratory condition, cleaning these contaminants yourself could cause harmful ramifications.
Moreover, hiring a professional gives you the peace of mind that your home will be thoroughly inspected and tested. If any other mold problems are underlying they will be uncovered. All of the affected areas will be noted, and if you so choose properly cleaned by professionals with any necessary preventative measures into place.
At Silver Environmental , we have over 20 years of experience helping people in the Greater Boston Area remove mold and mildew from their homes - and keep it out. You are likely to see mold grow on the north side of your roof and siding. Since mold eats the materials it grows on, those materials end up damaged or degraded.
Unchecked mold can cause cosmetic damage and staining, unpleasant odors, and even the structural degradation of the surfaces. Mold digests the carbon in the surface it is growing on.
While doing this, it breaks down the material bit by bit. The digestive enzymes eventually destroy the material , and the mold grows and spreads further to consume energy from more material. Some of the most common molds are listed below. The exterior surfaces they are commonly found on are also identified.
Aspergillus: Aspergillus is one of the most common molds. You can find its spores virtually everywhere — from Antarctic soil and the interior of spacecraft to homes throughout the USA. Found both inside and outside homes, this mold often grows on painted surfaces, wood, many types of paneling, painted masonry including brick and masonry block , and poured concrete foundations.
HEPA air purifiers are also an option in rooms prone to dampness without a fan vent — such as the basement and bathroom. Consider your air filtration options here. Ultraviolet Lights — Ultraviolet light can be used to deal with particularly bad mold problems. Homes in high humidity areas can especially benefit from them.
Lamps placed in locations of the home where mold and mildew is a problem can help to significantly reduce contamination levels. Exposure to sunlight has been a mildew remedy since pre-air conditioning days.
If you have a serious mold infestation, you should contact a professional mold remediation specialist immediately. Small amounts of mold, however, are possible to remove with some simple materials, including:.
Although bleach, vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide can remove small amounts of mold and mildew, tea tree oil is more natural and effective. Learn how to naturally remove small amounts of mold and mildew from your home here. Watch this video to learn how to clean up mold. If you are dealing with a mold problem in your home, it is imperative that you take steps to stop it immediately.
If you feel that you might have a mold or airborne toxin problem, Hiller has extensive experience working with an array of waterproofing and indoor air quality systems. Contact Hiller to Help Share this post:. You can also keep up with all of our news and updates by following us on Facebook , Twitter , Instagram , LinkedIn , and Pinterest. Join the Happy Hiller Club and get all the perks of membership: Seasonal tune-ups.
Priority scheduling. Skip to content How to Prevent Mold and Mildew Moisture Control for the Home Mold, mildew, and moisture problems are prevalent in states with hot, humid summers, such as Tennessee. Mold can grow undetected for months, even years, in areas high in moisture including: Bathrooms Kitchens Basements Crawlspaces Leaks in ceilings , walls , and plumbing systems are ideal areas for mold to grow and proliferate.
Keep Healthy Humidity Levels Mold and mildew thrive in a humid environment, so it is important to keep your humidity levels down. Fresh Air Open windows help increase the ventilation in your home — and are a good way to lower indoor carbon dioxide levels.
Use Green Cleaning Products Cleaning products with an overwhelming odor are ironically the biggest sources of volatile organic compounds VOCs in the home. Some waterproofing solutions include: Cleaning and repairing gutter and downspout systems Installing and maintaining basement sump pump Sealing window and foundation leaks Improving drainage by repairing lots, unblocking sewers, and installing new drainage systems Repairing leaks as soon as you find them 5. Avoid stacking organic material such as paper, cardboard, and fabrics in high-moisture areas of the home.
Credit: Jay Wilde. Planning on doing battle with mold and mildew? Make sure you have these cleaning tools on hand. Latex or rubber gloves Buckets and brushes Vacuum with a brush attachment Mop and sponges Non-ammonia detergent, soap, or commercial mold and mildew cleaner Disinfectant chlorine bleach Furniture polish. Credit: Adam Albright. Spread towels out after use so that they dry more quickly.
Minimize containers left in the shower for cleaning ease and better circulation. Wipe down the shower with a clean towel or squeegee after its last daily use. Choose shower curtains that dry and clean easily to help avoid soap residue, which fosters mold. Rinse with a mixture of one cup lemon juice and one cup salt to a gallon of hot water. Wash with detergent and bleach using color-safe bleach on color fabrics. Rinse with water. Credit: Buff Stickland. Briskly mix 1 tablespoon of liquid laundry soap and 2 cups of cool water.
Apply the suds to the stained area with a damp cloth, sponging lightly. Repeat until the stain is gone, then rinse. Dry the area completely. Credit: Brie Williams. Vacuum mildewed wood furniture with a soft brush to remove any loose spores. Quickly wipe off any stains using a light touch.
Rinse the area with a damp cloth, let dry, then polish. Help keep your home free of mold and mildew with a few preventive measures.
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