spring | 2008
How to Rid Your Home of Molds
Have you noticed a musty smell in your home? Black spots on the walls? These are the telltale signs of molds. Scientists recently concluded that molds do not cause major problems in healthy individuals. But they can make them cough, wheeze, and sneeze. And these tiny life-forms could sicken people with asthma, allergies, immune disorders, or lung diseases.
Molds need water to grow. So eliminating water buildup can eliminate molds:
- Repair leaky roofs and pipes.
- Use an air conditioner or dehumidifier when it’s humid.
- Use exhaust fans in bathrooms, kitchens, and utility rooms.
- Wear goggles, gloves, and a face mask.
- Seal off the area to be cleaned from the rest of your home by covering heat registers or ventilation ducts. But if there’s a window in the room, open it before you begin.
- Scrub affected hard surfaces, first with a mild detergent solution, such as laundry detergent and water. Then, scrub with a solution of ¼ cup bleach to 1 quart of water. Wait 20 minutes and repeat. Wait another 20 minutes. Apply a solution of borate-based detergent—a product that lists borates in the ingredients list—and don’t rinse it off.
- Clean the entire area thoroughly, vacuuming floors and washing any affected bedding and clothing.