How to Prevent Mold From Growing in Homes

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Mold is a common household allergen that can grow unnoticed in hard-to-reach or rarely visited places in a home. To people with severe mold allergies, this can be very dangerous. To prevent mold from growing in your home, always follow these basic maintenance steps.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Cleaning products
Laundry detergent
Waterproof paint
Dehumidifier
Electric fans

Step1

Always try to keep your home generally as clean as possible. Common messes like dirty carpets, food stains and smears on kitchen counters and wet spots can all provide environments where mold is likely to grow. Clean the entire house on a periodic basis and clean heavily trafficked areas frequently.

Step2

When storing clothing and other fabric, make sure it is completely clean before storing. Dirty clothing, curtains and rugs can quickly grow mold in storage.

Step3

Look closely for sources of moisture throughout the house, particularly in basements. Mold needs sufficient moisture to grow. If your basement is cracked or leaky, even if only periodically, you should have the situation assessed and possibly repaired by a foundation specialist. If brick and concrete areas are only slightly damp, you may be able to improve the situation by applying a layer or two of waterproof paint or another waterproof coating.

Step4

Keep your home cool. Warm air traps significantly more moisture than cool air, so keep the air conditioning running throughout warmer days.

Step5

Use dehumidifiers in damp rooms that may pose mold risks.

Step6

Keep the air well circulated. Use ceiling fans or other fans to keep the air moving through parts of the house that may become damp or humid. This helps dry out the air.

Who Can Help:

Tips & Warnings

If a home has a mold problem, people with mold allergies should stay away. People who experience allergic reactions to mold should seek medical attention.