Allergies, Inside & Out

The following is an Editorial Resource from YourTotalHealth.

Where Mold Loves to Live

Reviewed by: Marc J. Sicklick, MD, FAAAAI, FACAAI

Mold is tricky. It can survive indoors and out. And it’s virtually impossible to eradicate entirely from your home. But you can greatly reduce levels by cleaning the top three areas where mold grows in a house.

Bathroom

If you were to describe the climate in your bathroom, you’d probably use the words “warm” and “damp,” which are ideal conditions for the growth of mold. Check your bathroom regularly for signs of leaks from your faucets and pipes. And clean your bathroom thoroughly at least once every month, scrubbing your sink and tub thoroughly, as well as any tile. Use a diluted bleach solution (1/2 cup of bleach to a gallon of water) to spray down surfaces.

Basement

Basements are typically the least visited area of the house, which is one reason why you have to stay on top of mold growth here. Poor ventilation, blocked drains and humidity-creating machines such as washers and dryers all contribute to mold growth. Keep your eye on problem spots in the basement, including on the walls and around your washer and dryer (you should be able to treat most walls with a diluted bleach solution).

If you notice mold growth, think about purchasing a dehumidifier to keep the humidity in your basement in check. Depending on how bad it is, you may want to consider throwing out any rugs or furniture with mold. If you ever feel like an area is being overrun with mold or the job is just too big, you may need to hire a professional mold removal service.

Houseplants

Surprised? You shouldn’t be: Mold loves dark and moist conditions, like house plants that get too much water or too little sun. But don’t toss your diffenbachia yet. In most cases, spores are only released when soil is disturbed. If you’re repotting a houseplant, though, do it outside and wear a mask. And regularly check the outside of the plant pot for any signs of mold.

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• Sneeze-Free Gardening
  
  

Review date: 02-19-2008