FAQs

GENERAL MOLD INFORMATION

Mold (also known as mildew) is a fungal growth that develops on wet materials. Mold is a natural part of the environment and plays an important part in nature by breaking down dead organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead trees; indoors, mold growth should be avoided. Mold reproduces by means of tiny spores. The spores are like seeds, but invisible to the naked eye, that float through the air and deposit on surfaces. When the temperature, moisture, and available nutrient conditions are correct, the spores can form into new mold colonies where they are deposited. There are many types of mold, but all require moisture and a food source for growth.
Mold and mildew need only a damp, moist environment and organic material to establish themselves and thrive. Roof and foundation leaks, high interior humidity, overflowing washing machines and more severe forms of flooding are common sources of moisture and are what causes mold in a house.
Molds, like most fungi, break down plant and animal matter in the environment. They can grow almost anywhere there is moisture and organic material such as in soil, on foods and plants, and in people’s homes. To reproduce, molds release spores, which can spread through air, water, or on animals.
Depending on the type of mold, some spores can remain dormant for hundreds of years under the right circumstances. That is why it is not enough to simply eliminate humidity if you have an active mold problem.
Most mold is unmistakable, but sometimes small or largely hidden growths just make a surface look dirty. A quick test for mold can be done when you dip a swab in diluted bleach (1 part bleach, 16 parts water) and dab it on the wall. If the spot quickly lightens (or keeps coming back after cleaning), assume it’s mold.
Most people describe the smell of mold as musty, stale, and earthy — somewhat similar to the odor of wet socks, decaying wood, or like a stuffy attic that hasn’t been aired out in months.
When testing the air for mold, the best option is typically an air pump that collects samples for evaluation in a laboratory. However, some mold test kits use collection film or petri dishes exposed to the air as a means of testing for mold.

MEDICAL

Molds have the potential to cause health problems. Molds produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions) and irritants. Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Exposure to mold can cause a variety of symptoms. Sensitive people who have touched or inhaled mold or mold spores may have allergic reactions such as a runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, watery eyes, skin rash and itching (dermatitis).
Symptoms of mold exposure may include headache, sore throat, runny nose, coughing, sneezing, watery eyes and fatigue. In those with asthma, asthma attacks can occur. In those with impaired immune systems, serious infection can occur.
Some people have shortness of breath, cough, muscle aches, chills, fever, night sweats, and profound fatigue after coming in direct contact with mold. These symptoms usually first appear 2 to 9 hours after exposure and last for 1 to 3 days. Other affected persons have progressive shortness of breath and cough, as well as weight loss.
Another one of the most immediate symptoms of a mold allergy is a dry and scratchy throat, prompting a nagging cough. In some cases, mold can cause heavier coughs as well. Mucus and histamine production can lead to persistent coughing as your body tries to clear the throat of mucus buildup
If you have a mold allergy, your immune system overreacts when you breathe in mold spores. A mold allergy can cause coughing, itchy eyes and other symptoms that make you miserable. In some people, a mold allergy is linked to asthma and exposure causes restricted breathing and other airway symptoms. Another one of the most immediate symptoms of a mold allergy is a dry and scratchy throat, prompting a nagging cough. In some cases, mold can cause heavier coughs as well. Mucus and histamine production can lead to persistent coughing as your body tries to clear the throat of mucus buildup.
Because of the risks that come with mold exposure, it can be unsafe to sleep in a house with mold, particularly in the affected areas because you put yourself at risk of mold allergies. This becomes especially concerning if you are sensitive to the mold. When mold grows indoors, it can often be found in the bathroom. All indoor environments have some mold spores in them, but this does not affect most people. However, people with a compromised immune system may have a higher risk of illness, and especially lung problems, if there are mold spores and mold in the environment. Others may experience allergic reactions. Breathing in mold fragments or spores can inflame the air passages, creating a nasal blockage, wheezing, breast tightness, coughing, and throat inflammation.
“Sick building syndrome” is when mold, water damage, poor indoor air quality or other issues in your home are constantly making you sick. Whether or not you’re allergic to molds, mold exposure can irritate your eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs.
Some persons have shortness of breath, cough, muscle aches, chills, fever, night sweats, and profound fatigue. These symptoms usually first appear 2 to 9 hours after exposure and last for 1 to 3 days. Other affected persons have progressive shortness of breath and cough, as well as weight loss.
Most likely, you’ll be okay.” However, in certain cases, the mold found on spoiled food could be dangerous, so if you suddenly develop symptoms such as shortness of breath, nausea, an elevated temperature or diarrhea, you should immediately seek medical help.
Symptoms of mold exposure are not usually an emergency, but in some instances, you should seek immediate medical treatment. Go directly to the nearest emergency room or call 911 if you: Have significant trouble breathing. Have an asthma attack that doesn’t respond to your usual medication or seems worse than usual.
Each person’s body is affected by mold toxicity in different ways. Some experience constant migraines and headaches, shortness of breath, brain fog, fatigue or even depression. Since symptoms differ from person to person, they may not be quickly associated with mold exposure
Exposure to a large number of mold spores may cause allergic symptoms such as watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, itching, coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, headache, and fatigue. Repeated exposure to mold can increase a person’s sensitivity, causing more severe allergic reactions. In those with asthma, asthma attacks can occur. In those with impaired immune systems, serious infection can occur.
When your eyes are exposed to substances like pollen or mold spores, they may become red, itchy, and watery. These are symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis. Allergic conjunctivitis is an eye inflammation caused by an allergic reaction to substances like pollen or mold spores.
The answer to that is definitely yes! if it is inhaled, it can continue its growth inside your body. It’s also possible for mold to form a ball in your lungs. This condition is called aspergilloma when caused by an Aspergillus mold. The ball most often stays in your lungs but can lead to tissue damage. Symptoms commonly include shortness of breath, cough, or coughing up blood.
It’s almost impossible to avoid all contact with fungal spores, so treatment for mold in your lungs often consists of taking medications. Corticosteroids often help open your airways to make coughing easier. You may need to take them daily or only when your symptoms flare. Mold spores can irritate your lungs even if you’re not allergic to mold. When introduced to your body, spores irritate your airways in your nose, mouth and throat. They can also cause burning and bleeding if they become lodged in your mucus membranes, such as in your sinuses and lungs
In some cases, mold in your home can make you sick, especially if you have allergies or asthma. Whether or not you’re allergic to molds, mold exposure can irritate your eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs.
Allowing dust and mold to accumulate in your home can be harmful to your health. Endotoxins shed by household dust and mold spores can cause serious allergic responses, including asthma.
Mold spores act as irritants, which can trigger the body to mount an immune response. This can lead to inflammation throughout the body. Inflammation in the brain can impair cognitive function, and in the case of chronic inflammation, this can lead to long-lasting cognitive impairment.
There’s no evidence that mold causes cancer. If you’re allergic to mold, your symptoms may be more severe, such as lung irritation.

BLACK MOLD

Options include:

  1. avoiding the allergen whenever possible.
  2. a nasal rinse, to flush mold spores out of the nose.
  3. antihistamines, to stop a runny nose, sneezing, and itchiness.
  4. decongestant nasal sprays, a short term remedy for congestion.
  5. nasal corticosteroids, to reduce inflammation.
  6. oral decongestants, to reduce congestion.
Because of the risks that come with mold exposure, it can be unsafe to sleep in a house with mold, particularly in the affected areas because you put yourself at risk of mold allergies. This becomes especially concerning if you are sensitive to the mold. When mold grows indoors, it can often be found in the bathroom.
Black mold is almost exclusively caused by condensation and is usually found at the skirting level in rooms, in the corners of walls and ceilings or on cold surfaces. Mold can also appear on cold surfaces such as tiles and window sills or behind furniture where the air flow is restricted.

AIR PURIFIER

Here are some signs that your home may need an air purifier.

  • You Can’t Stop Sneezing. If you are continually sneezing, then you may have an accumulation of dust pollen, pet dander and other particles in your home. …
  • Your Air Is Stuffy. 
  • You Have Dust Mites. 
  • You Snore Loudly. 
  • Air Purifiers Help Sick Family Members.
Air pollution does not stop when we sleep, so the simple answer is yes, if you want the full benefits of your air purifier it should be running in your bedroom when you sleep.
It can take an air purifier 30 minutes to clean air in a small room. For larger rooms, it can take up to 2 to 3 hours. Invest in an air quality monitor to test your air quality. The worse it is, the longer you’ll want your air purifier running.
A dehumidifier is designed to reduce the moisture level in the air by extracting the excess water. By doing so, dehumidifiers can help prevent the growth of mold and mildew and improve the indoor air quality of your space. An air purifier can also help in common places for mold in the home like a basement. Though an air purifier can help long term for mold spores in the air, only physically cleaning up the mold and removing the moisture that allowed it to grow will solve a visible mold growth problem.
Placing your purifier near a window or close to a doorway is typically your best bet. Another reason to place purifiers near areas with a lot of airflow is that moving air has enough energy to lift dust, mold, and many other particles, which it can then distribute around your home. The best place to put an air purifier is somewhere in your breathing zone. The closer the unit is to your head, the shorter distance clean air has to travel before it reaches you. In the bedroom, this usually translates to putting the air purifier on a nightstand or small table close to the bed. We recommend elevating it no higher than 5 feet off the ground, and this can be done by placing the air purifier on a piece of furniture, such as a dresser.
An air purifier can “work” with the windows open, but it can’t work nearly as well as it would with the room sealed. One significant problem is that contaminants like allergens are re-introduced into the room’s air. It will take much more additional time to complete the purification process.

MOLD GROWTH

Mildew (mold in early stage) and molds grow on wood products, ceiling tiles, cardboard, wallpaper, carpets, drywall, fabric, plants, foods, insulation, decaying leaves and other organic materials. Mold growths, or colonies, can start to grow on a damp surface within 24 to 48 hours.
Mold grows on bread because spores land on it and begin to multiply. It can grow quickly on bread and start a colony
Because glass isn’t an organic material, it doesn’t typically provide a great place for mold to grow. The materials surrounding the glass, however – such as window frames and shower walls – are often made from organic materials
Mold grows on bath toys because they are kept in wet environments. Water plus a source of carbon – like bath soap – equals mold.
During the winter, mold is most likely to grow in basements (especially if leaking or flooding has occured), on windows where condensation has built up, and in areas with poor air circulation, such as behind walls or in closed closets or attic spaces. Mold spores also grow on objects with high cellulose content.
Paper Material: If visible mold is present on paper materials, you will need to throw out, including books, albums and photographs, or craft materials. Food and Food Appliances: Both food and food appliances in your home that has come in contact with mold should be removed and thrown away
Mold generally can’t penetrate far into hard and semisoft cheeses, such as cheddar, colby, Parmesan and Swiss. So you can cut away the moldy part and eat the rest of the cheese.
Mold can only grow on plastic under certain conditions. If the plastic is clean and sanitized, mold will not be able to grow. However, if any grease, food residue, or dirty water gets left on the plastic for an extended period of time, it could get moldy.
Mildew often occurs in hair and scalp when wet hair is left unable to dry for extended periods of time. The moisture that gets trapped in the hair can breed mildew, and hairstyles more prone to this would be buns, ponytails, updos, or even locs, although people who sweat heavily in their hair may also suffer from this.
According to Stop Foodborne Illness, a mixture of ¼ teaspoon of bleach to 1 quart of cool water is an effective bleach mixture. This solution does a good job of removing the mold and sanitizing the dishes. Rinse thoroughly after cleaning dishes and silverware with this solution
Mold will grow in places with a lot of moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes, or where there has been flooding. Mold grows well on paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, and wood products. Mold can also grow in dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery.
No matter how it happens, once mold has gotten into your clothes, you officially have a problem. The good is news is that you’re not necessarily going to have to throw everything away. With some persistence and quick action, you can rid those clothes of mold so they’re safe to wear again.
Light is not one of the key resources mold needs to grow. This is because, unlike plants, mold is not photosynthetic and doesn’t use light to generate energy. In fact, light from the sun can inhibit mold growth and even kill it, so many molds thrive and grow better in dark environments
You shouldn’t eat mold on bread or from a loaf with visible spots. The mold roots can quickly spread through bread, though you can’t see them. Eating moldy bread could make you sick, and inhaling spores may trigger breathing problems if you have a mold allergy. Try freezing bread to prevent mold.

HOUSING

Molds are very common in buildings and homes. Mold will grow in places with a lot of moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes, or where there has been flooding. Mold grows well on paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, and wood products.
If your home has water stains, discoloration on walls, floor, or ceilings, of if you notice bubbling, cracking, or peeling paint or wallpaper, then you’re likely dealing with mold-producing problems.
Since it’s impossible to get rid of mold in the house completely, it’s important to keep your air clear by regularly replacing air filters.
Mold and mildew need only a damp, moist environment and organic material to establish themselves and thrive. Roof and foundation leaks, high interior humidity, overflowing washing machines and more severe forms of flooding are common sources of moisture and are what causes mold in a house.
To find hidden mold, look for evidence of water intrusion which is often a sure sign that you either have mold in the home now or will be growing it soon. While it can be difficult to detect mold in the walls, it’s important to look for these signs of mold growth, to identify the problem as quickly as possible.

If you don’t see signs of mold but you can smell it, it may be hidden in your walls. A musty smell is a good indicator that mold is growing in your home. Be aware of signs that drywalls are moist such as:

  1. water stains.
  2. dark rings.
  3. discoloration.
  4. deterioration like peeling, bubbling or cracking of the paint or wallpaper.
Simply mix one part bleach to four parts water. Using a damp cloth gently scrub and wipe the mold until the mold is gone. Once finished, dry the area well with a soft cloth.
Many homeowners attempt to simply repair drywall that is infested with mold, but it should always be fully replaced. If you don’t replace every part of your drywall that has experienced mold growth, you’re only leaving your home vulnerable to much more damage in the future.
Household mold commonly is identified by a damp, muddy appearance, ranging in color from black, pink, orange, green, and white. Let your nose lead the way. Besides seeing the presence of mold on bathroom walls and hiding under your sink, a musty or sour smell in your bathroom is a dead giveaway for mold growth.
Do NOT use fans if mold may already exist; a fan will spread the mold spores. Try to keep the humidity in your home below 40 percent. In moisture-prone areas, eliminate carpets or choose carpets of man-made fibers.
Mold can’t grow on the clean surface of a mirror. Mold spores can adhere to tiny particles of dust and dirt on a mirror. A clean mirror isn’t conducive to mold growth because the surface isn’t porous. But dust and dirt present on the surface of your mirror provide the fungus with a place to grow.
Mold can easily grow in cold rooms, mainly due to the build up of condensation that creates a damp environment. During the summer months or when air enters the cold room from you heated basement, warm air condenses on cold walls.
Every house, and every environment has mold spores. It becomes an issue when the concentration of mold spores in a home is greater than what is found outside. Mold needs three conditions to thrive: an ideal temperature, a source of food and moisture.
The most common types of mold include aspergillus, cladosporium and stachybotrys atra (also known as black mold). Aspergillus is a fairly allergenic mold that is commonly found on foods and in home air conditioning systems.
They are found everywhere. They can grow on almost anything if it is moist enough. Inside your home molds grow quickly on damp surfaces like bathroom walls and trim around windows. Molds may look like furry growth, black stains, or specks of black, white, orange, green or brown.
Mold has a distinct smell. It’s often described as musty and earthy, and may even smell like rotting vegetables or plants. You might notice a musty smell, but not be able to see any mold growing
Use undiluted white vinegar on hard surfaces in kitchens and baths. A bleach solution also works to kill mold. Mix one cup of bleach in a gallon of water, apply to the surface and don’t rinse. Mix a 50/50 solution of ammonia and water.
  1. Mix one-part bleach to four-parts water.
  2. Spray the affected area.
  3. Scrub the mold using a brush.
  4. Rinse the area with a damp cloth and dry it.

Five most common signs

  1. Odor – you smell something but just can’t see anything.
  2. You don’t feel good when you’re at home, and you feel better when you’re away from home.
  3. Constantly itchy nose, red eyes and sneezing.
  4. Staining on interior wall and base molding.
  5. Wall appears to be wet and damp.
Mold is a fungus that will thrive where there’s enough moisture to encourage its growth. Using mold-resistant paint works to prevent mold growth, but it won’t kill it once it’s started to grow. You can paint over mold, but it will always reappear if you don’t stop it in its tracks.
If there is mold in your ducts, the air flowing through the ducts may loosen the spores and push them around your vents. If you look at your vents and see black, green, brown, or yellow growth, it may be mold.
As you might’ve guessed, opening windows can help reduce mold. Doing so lets excess moisture flow outside instead of settling on your walls, floors, and ceiling. Without the proper amount of moisture indoors, mold won’t be able to grow. Opening windows can be helpful.
When it comes to the nitty gritty, cleaning air ducts is not a do-it-yourself job. It requires tools, such as a high-powered vacuum and rotary brushes, that you don’t have lying around in the garage. In addition, an improper cleaning job could damage the ducts, resulting in expensive repairs.
The unavoidable fact is that outdated windows in your home are the root of the problem. You can’t stop the rain, but you can address the quality of the components of your home. Replacement windows will address the mold and moisture problem and help you to finally correct it with a long term solution

MOLD PREVENTION

Distilled white vinegar contains a compound called acetic acid, which is what makes it an effective mold killer. Make a solution of one part distilled white vinegar to 20 parts warm water (½ cup of vinegar per gallon of water). Submerge the toy in the vinegar solution. Let sit for 1 hour
Bleach and vinegar can both kill mold, but vinegar is much more effective for removing mold from porous materials. This is because bleach only kills mold spores on the surface of affected materials. Vinegar will penetrate porous materials and kill the mold at the roots.
Best Overall: RMR Brands RMR-141 Disinfectant and Cleaner This is an EPA-registered mildew spray, which means it’s a chemical agent that is capable of inhibiting the growth of mildew. It has been proven effective against 141 different microorganisms and will kill mold, mildew, bacteria, and more.

5 Best Mold Removal Products

  • RMR-86 Instant Mold and Mildew Stain Remover Spray.
  • Tilex Mold & Mildew Remover 16 Fl Oz.
  • Concrobium Mold Control Household Cleaners.
  • Professional Disinfecting Mildew, Virus & Mold Killer – Cleans & Deodorizes, Lemon Scent.
  • Mold Armor Cleaner.
Desiccant is a dehydrating agent which attracts moisture from the atmosphere. It absorbs and holds particles of water to itself. MoldAway™ will inhibit the growth of mold spores inside your home and prevent potential health problems.
A bleach solution also works to kill mold. Mix one cup of bleach in a gallon of water, apply to the surface and don’t rinse. Mix a 50/50 solution of ammonia and water. Spray on the surface, wait two to three hours, then rinse.
Unlike black mold, mildew can easily be wiped off surfaces, especially nonporous ones. But simply wiping away mildew doesn’t always fix the problem and does little to keep mildew from returning. That’s why it’s important to take preventative steps and learn how to get rid of mildew once and for all
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