Prevention: Moldy No More
So you’ve managed to remove all the mold from your home, or you’re lucky enough not to have any in the first place. Now it’s time to make sure it doesn’t come back, and that means making your home as unfriendly to mold as possible. That means:
Keeping It Dry.
We can’t say it enough— mold loves a wet environment. While you can’t avoid some dampness occasionally, there are plenty of things you can do!
- Consider investing in a dehumidifier.
- Figure out if you have any leaky plumbing – especially in areas you wouldn’t normally notice – and fix any problems as soon as possible.
- Air out your home as often as possible by opening windows and, if safe, doors.
- Use the ventilation fans in your bathrooms! After all, that’s exactly why they’re there. Leave it on during and after you shower for at least 60 minutes. If you don’t have an exhaust fan, leave the door to the bathroom and any bathroom windows open.
- Keep the shower curtain closed to allow it to dry completely. This tip also prevents it from sticking to itself and forming wet, folded areas where water can collect.
- Avoid leaving anything wet around— that means wet clothes, towels, etc. Hang them up to dry, and don’t let them collect on the floor.
Keeping It Clean— And Smart
- Since spores are airborne, keeping your air clean is a great step for preventing mold from spreading. Consider investing in a purifier, or adding a mold-and-mildew spore-catching filter to the air conditioning return vent.
- Reseal grout and tile as often as needed to prevent future growth. You can use beeswax and natural oil if you like!
- Tackle mold as soon as you spot it. The sooner you take care of it, the less time it has to spread and colonize.
- Consider cutting your losses. If you have carpet, wood furniture or upholstery that’s heavily affected, sometimes it’s just better to replace it outright.
- Clean your shower curtain on a regular basis.
- If you use storage baskets in your bathroom, use ones with holes to allow air to pass through and dry things.
- After washing, don’t just dry yourself off. Use a squeegee or a towel to dry the shower and tub, too.
- Keep the shower and bath area as clear from bottles and other items as possible. They can hide pooling water that leads to mold.
- Use a daily shower spray! You can make your own by mixing 1 teaspoon of tea tree oil with 1 cup of water, or using 1 part vinegar with 1 part water.
Not so scary when you’re prepared, now is it? Commit this info to heart, experiment and pick your favorite attack method, and practice prevention, and you’ll never have to worry about mold affecting your health again. If you have any tips or tricks of your own to add, be sure to tell us about them!
Sources:
For more background and information, visit Tiphero.com, Natural Living Ideas, Shower Remedy and The Huffington Post.
