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Home > Healthy Living > Mold Mold Part 2

Mold, Mildew, and Allergies continued

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Bathroom
- Make sure that it is properly ventilated and steam can be directed outdoors.
- Never lay carpet in the bathroom, and dry the bath mat well after each use.
- Never put damp clothes or towels into a hamper.
- Check your shower curtain regularly for growth. Discard it if it cannot be cleaned properly.
- Wallpaper in the bathroom may collect mold.
- Watch for condensation around the base of the toilet.
- Baths emit less steam into the air than showers do.

Basements
- Basements are notorious for dampness. Avoid storing any items that may mold.
- Clean often and check in corners and behind shelves etc. for new growth.
- If you use a dehumidifier, clean the tray regularly. This is a key area for mold.
- Correct any seepage or flooding problems immediately.

Kitchen
- Never leave dirty dishes around long enough to gr
- Check the drip tray of the refrigerator often and clean as necessary. Also clean the rubber seal on the doors.
- Never leave moldy food in the fridge or on the counter.
- Clean garbage cans thoroughly on a regular basis.
- Empty compost buckets daily and wash the container well.
- Cover pots while cooking to cut down on steam. Use a ventilating fan to direct moisture outside.

Laundry
- Leave the washing machine lid open to let it dry between washings.
- Never leave damp clothes in the washer for very long.
- Vent the dryer outside to reduce humidity.

Bedroom
- Dust control is very important in the bedroom. Vacuum often and avoid leaving piles of clothes, bedding, etc. on the floor.
- Check for leaks under and around waterbeds.
- Carpet with foam-rubber backing or padding may invite mold growth as will furniture or bedding made of latex rubber or urethane.

Misc
- Hot tubs and whirlpools are excellent areas for mold growth. Clean often and keep the surrounding area as dry as possible.
- Sleeping bags should be washed and dried well if they smell musty.
- Houseplants are a key source of molds. Discard old leaves and flowers immediately, and replace the top layer of soil regularly. Watering releases spores into the air. Very sensitive people should remove the plants from the house.
- Humidifiers not only grow mold in their reservoir, they also blow spores through the house. Air conditioners may do the same. Both should be cleaned often.
- Fireplace logs often have mold growth on them.
- Cabins and houses that have been closed up should be aired out thoroughly before use. Never store mattresses, pillows, towels, etc. in an unheated cabin.
- Throw away anything that smells musty - cushions, carpets, mattresses, etc.
- Never leave a room in your house unheated.

House Structure
- House walls that have been places directly over the soil tend to wick moisture upward. Concrete foundations are best.
- Flat roofed houses may experience more leakage and potential water problems.
- Drywall, framework, and insulation in houses that were built and sealed in damp or wet climates often silently produce mold colonies. It may already be a large problem before it becomes obvious on the interior walls. New houses that are well sealed often harbour more mold problems than older houses that have better circulation and dry materials. Inspect behind walls if you suspect you have a growth problem.

Controlling Mold Growth
Keeping the house dry, well lit and ventilated is the most effective means of prevention. Space heaters are helpful, but avoid fans as they may blow spores around. Only intense heat will kill the mold. Drying it will reduce its growth but will leave the spores. It’s important to clean it away immediately. If you are very sensitive, make sure you have someone else do this for you.

Bleach is the most effective agent against mold, but it is not always an option for chemically sensitive people. Borax sprinkled dry in moldy areas is useful. Mix it with water to make a spray and use it in the bathroom regularly. Allow it to dry for lasting prevention.

It is important to remember some of the positive roles molds play in our lives. Penicillium notatum is the important source of penicillin. Many other molds are essential for a variety of cheeses. To the mold sensitive person, however, mold’s prevalence in our day to day life is a constant reminder of how difficult it is to avoid.

Stacelynn Caughlan is a Clinical Nutritionist and Certified Herbalist who specializes in Prenatal and Pediatric Health.