Household molds have a serious diverse effect on our health. They can trigger allergy, eye irritation, congestion, sore throat, coughing, or skin rash. 

Many asthmatic patients are allergic to molds, and exposure to molds can cause severe reactions. Molds can also cause some lung infections for people with chronic lung disease. Looking at these effects of molds, it is apparent that we need to eliminate molds from our homes at all costs. 

Molds occur naturally in nature, hence they are everywhere, and can get into your home through various means like the windows, open doors, vents, and even your heating and air conditioning system. Since molds are present in the air outside, it is also possible for molds to get into your home through your clothes, shoes, and pets. 

One of the features of molds that makes it so difficult to eliminate is their ability to stay undetected for months while it grows and expands. Molds usually grow where there is moisture, hence you can find them around leaks in ceilings, walls, and plumbing systems. That’s where they stay to grow and proliferate. That’s why it’s recommended that you get a repair kit and start repairing all available leaks in your home if you wish to have a mold-free home. 

Just like the popular saying “prevention is better than cure”, it is easier to prevent the growth of molds in your home than to eliminate it. Let’s take a look at some measures you can employ to prevent molds from infecting your home.

What are Molds?

Mold is a type of fungus that is commonly found in household dust. Molds are heterotrophic, meaning they can produce their own food just like plants, but molds are neither plants nor animals. When present in large quantities molds can cause significant health hazards, asthma and allergic reactions, respiratory problems, neurological problems, and sometimes even death. 

Although molds have negative effects on our health, they play a vital role in breaking down organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead trees in the environment. Mold reproduces very fast through tiny spores which are invisible to the naked eye. These spores are present in our environment, floating around in the air. When these molds enter our homes and land on moisture or wet surfaces, they start to grow and multiply. 

Tips on how to prevent Household Molds

• Always keep your house dry, and avoid any water buildup anywhere in the house. Ventilate damp rooms, wipe shower walls and doors after bath.
• Find and fix all plumbing leaks and water problems around the house.
• Ensure that the humidity levels in your home are low. The humidity levels should not go above 50% all day long. Make use of an air conditioner or dehumidifier to maintain the low humidity level in your homes.
• Make sure air flows through your home freely. Make use of exhaust fans in your kitchen and bathroom, and ensure they vent outside your home.
• Do not leave your wet clothes in the washing machine to avoid growing molds.
• If you’re just moving into a new home, buy and add mold inhibitors to your paints before painting the house.
• Wash your bathroom tiles, and shower curtains regularly with mold-killing products.
• Avoid keeping many indoor plants in your home, especially in the bedroom.
• Turn off humidifiers when you notice condensation on your windows.
• Clean your humidifiers and dehumidifiers regularly, at least once every week.