Striving for a “clean house,” many homeowners devote lots of time to cleaning kitchen countertops and cutting boards nearly every day, preferably with a disinfectant. But, do we pay attention to what may be lurking beneath the surface? All houses, particularly those in this region, have moisture. And, if you have too much moisture, there’s a strong chance that you have mold growing somewhere.
First of all, there is no need to panic or feel like a lackluster housekeeper. Mold is everywhere! It grows indoors and out and its spores (tiny specks) easily spread throughout the house via dust and ductwork. The problem arises when moisture builds up and the mold grows to unhealthy levels. Everyone’s tolerance varies, but mold can be especially harmful to anyone with allergies and/or asthma. Prolonged exposure may kick-off an allergic reaction that usually affects the respiratory system or may cause skin problems. Symptoms may include chronically runny or congested nose, scratchy throat, difficulty breathing, or skin rashes. Mold growth also can cause headaches, irritability, loss of concentration and depression. So, if anyone in your household is experiencing these symptoms and there does not appear to be a reason (e.g., weather, pet dander or a cold or virus) you may need to dig a little deeper to uncover this often hidden allergen.
How do I Identify Mold?
Most homeowners can do their own inspection before contacting a professional. Your job is to find the moisture source(s), resolve the problem and clean up the damage.
Erica Forrest, Environmental Health Coordinator at Children’s Mercy Hospital, works with families to improve their living environments. Many times, homeowners assume they have a mold problem because of an unusual odor without knowing the source. Forrest recommends a comprehensive assessment of the entire home, looking at the whole house-- inside and out--as a system. Try to find any gaps where water can enter the home. This involves checking individual rooms but also monitoring the heating/air conditioning system to determine the home’s humidity levels. Gutter down spouts are often missing, says Forrest, and can lead to basement leaks and/or mold growth when water is not properly drained away from the foundation. This whole house approach helps homeowners identify and eliminate many environmental hazards and results in a clean, healthy home. (Visit the National Center for Healthy Housing at nchh.org for more details.)
You’ve Found It, Now What Do You Do?
Probably as many suggestions for cleaning up mold exist as there are types of mold. Some environmental experts recommend testing to determine the type(s) of mold before cleaning, but most agree that this is not necessary, unless the damaged area is larger than 10 feet. It’s more important to clean problem areas and diligently manage moist areas to keep them mold-free.
Brad Feeler, director of industrial hygiene for Kingston Environmental Services in Lee’s Summit, encourages homeowners to be very wary of mold “inspectors.” Before contracting with someone, check their references and ask for evidence of their expertise. Then, make sure you review exactly what they are going to do: if they do sample testing, make sure they take outdoor samples to compare with the interior levels. You should receive a report that shows the mold type(s) and levels found in your home. However, since the Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports there are no established standards to judge acceptable mold levels, it is better to follow the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guidelines and spend your resources cleaning up the problem, rather than on testing for specific types of mold.
Self-Cleaning Recipes
When cleaning mold, it is vital to use the right products and to wear protective clothing. Non-porous gloves will protect skin from live spores; a mask helps you avoid inhaling the spores. Also make sure that the area is well-ventilated and use fans to quickly dry the affected area.
Although bleach is probably the cleaner most often recommended for cleaning mold, it may not be the best choice. The fumes from bleach can compound the existing indoor air quality problem and cause more respiratory problems. Additionally, bleach does not kill the mold spores, it merely cleans the surface. Furthermore, bleach will damage wood and other types of materials that may need to be cleaned.
Consider these alternatives:
- Dilute white vinegar with water in a spray bottle to control small outbreaks and as a preventive cleaner.
- For persistent mold on hard surfaces: apply a mixture of ¼ cup each of ammonia, rubbing alcohol, vinegar and Dawn liquid dishwashing soap. Ventilate the area well.
- Clean tile grout with a paste of ¼ cup Borax, ½ cup baking soda and hot water. Rub into the grout and scrub with a soft brush; allow mixture to sit for 15-20 minutes and rinse.
- Green living expert Annie Bonds combines in a spray bottle 2 teaspoons tea tree oil with 2 cups water. Shake and spray on problem areas. Do not rinse. Pros and cons of this method: tea tree oil is expensive, but (unlike bleach) it kills most types of mold. It is highly concentrated and will last indefinitely; the strong smell will fade in a few days.
Prevention
Once you’ve identified and removed most of the mold in your home, you will undoubtedly want to maintain your hard-won mold-free status. Never fear, it can be done. Do your whole house assessment regularly and keep your home well-ventilated to prevent moisture buildup.
Also, the eco-conscious home building trade offers mold resistant building products and some paints now contain mold inhibitors. So, before you begin any remodeling projects, research using the new green products that could prevent unwanted allergens from growing in your home.
Uncovering Mold in Your Home
Besides the obvious black or gray spots familiar to us in showers and bathtubs, mold can also be orange, white, or green. Below are some of its favorite hiding places:
- Unfinished basements with damp cardboard boxes.
- In and around air conditioning units.
- Foundation cracks.
- Loose caulking around windows and doors or loose roofing materials.
- Bumpy or loose wallpaper.
- Soft or spongy drywall.
- Check the floors, looking for loose tiles, purple staining on linoleum and soft spots on wood floors.
- Carpet backing can harbor mold, especially if the area remained wet for more than 24 hours.
- Leaking or damp sink areas.
- Sunrooms and houseplant soil.
Mold grows in 48-72 hours, so it’s vital to catch problems early before major structural damage is done.
Kathy Stump battles mold and other allergens from her home in Parkville.