How to Fight Mold and Mildew in Your Home or Office

Everyone has encountered mold or mildew, whether it be some fruit left out too long or a cup of water forgotten somewhere in your home or office. Most of the time, the issue can be dealt with by ridding your home of the fungi, but in some cases, the problem has roots that go deeper than rotten food.

Mold and mildew can produce extreme hazards for your health, so it’s vital to not only how to spot them from sprouting up, but how to prevent them altogether.

The Hazards of Mold and Mildew

Molds tend to be a fact of life in your home, in your office; anywhere that you might find moisture there is mold. While some people are more sensitive to mold than others, all of us will suffer health detriments from too much exposure.

Too much exposure to mold or mildew can cause:

• Nasal Stiffness
• Throat Irritation
• Cough
• Eye irritation
• Skin Irritation

Mold in the home tends to be the biggest cause of mold or mildew related illness primarily because of the close proximity and length of exposure.

Generally, home-based mold tends to grow in places with a lot of moisture, such as the kitchen, bathrooms. Leaky roofs, windows, or pipes are also places where it’s commonly found, though it can grow almost anywhere.

The Difference Between Mold and Mildew

Mold and mildew are commonly used interchangeably, and that’s for good reason: Mildew is a type of mold, though there are differences between the two.

Mold: A type of green, black, or white fungi that grow indoors or outdoors and in warm, damp areas. Mold is typically, much more harmful than mildew.

Mildew: Mildew is a flat, thin layer of black or grey fungal growth that tends to appear on fabrics, carpets, and upholstery. It thrives on warm, moist surfaces.

Fighting Mold and Mildew

Fighting mold in your home or office is a big key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle for everyone.

To control mold growth before it occurs, you should:

• Control the humidity levels.
• Don’t allow leaky roofs, windows, or pipes to go unfixed for long periods of time.
• Ventilate any warm, moist parts of your home like showers, laundry, or sinks.

If you’ve found a mold problem, remember that not only do you need to defeat the mold, but you need to fix whatever was causing it.

There are a few ways you can kill mold, including many store-bought chemical solutions and some home remedies. Household staples—like vinegar and baking soda—are quick fixes, but if you need something stronger, you should consult a guide to ensure safe practice.

Mold and mildew are unwanted nuisances in the home and office that, with the right preparation and tools, can be prevented and destroyed.

If attempting to tackle it yourself doesn’t work, call in the experts at The Heiser Group. With over four decades of experience, we’ll ensure that you can live in a mold and mildew-free environment.

‍