Home, Home Improvement, Housekeeping, Wall

How To Get Rid of Mold At Home

Posted on

August 7, 2024

by

Disha Mishra Dubey

DIY methods to control moisture & molds

in your home

With the onset of the monsoon, we see so many beautiful things all around us: lush green outdoors, the pitter-patter of raindrops, the soothing sound of flowing water and pleasant weather. But it brings with it something unpleasant too and that is mold. In this article, I’ll share how you can control and get rid of mold, all by yourself. But before we go ahead let me explain what mold is.

What is mold and how to detect it:

Mold is a fungus and it grows in moist and damp places. It reproduces through tiny spores which float through the air. Molds are mainly found in moist and damp places, it only needs moisture to grow. If these spores fall on a wet surface then mold starts growing on that surface too. That way it makes its entry indoors.

Molds not only make your home look ugly but it is smelly too. The easiest way to detect mold is its musty odour and discolouration of walls and ceilings. If you see water marks on walls and ceiling then there are chances that mold will start growing on that surface. Mold growing inside your home isn’t good for your health. Molds can cause allergy, irritation, runny nose, dermatitis and in some cases fever. People who have asthma or weak immune system are at higher risk. That is why it is necessary to get rid of mold if it is growing inside your home.

How to get rid of mold:

If you have mold growing inside your home then remove and clean up the surface as soon as possible. You can remove and clean up the mold all by yourself if the moldy area is smaller in size. The first step is to identify the source that is causing moisture and fix it. The source of moisture can be leaking pipes and taps, seepage, inadequate ventilation, roof leaks etc.

After fixing leakages move on to the next step of cleaning the mold-affected areas. Wear a face mask to avoid breathing in mold spores or dust now scrub and wash the infected area with bleach and water or diluted detergent or you can make your own cleaning spray by mixing equal parts of water and white vinegar then wipe it clean and let it dry thoroughly. Remember you need to keep the surface completely dry to get rid of mold. Mold will grow again if the surface is still moist or wet. To get rid of musty odour, you can use homemade air fresheners. Mix a few drops of essential oil in a 5-6 inch small cloth bag full of camphor, close it tightly and place it near the affected area.

If the moldy area is larger then you will need a help from professional.

Once you get rid of mold, it is essential to prevent regrowth. I’m listing down some practices to reduce the chance of mold growing back.

Mold Prevention:

1. Fix all the plumbing and roof leaks. Keep all the materials dry. If you can not control moisture then mold will develop again.

2. Clean, disinfect and dry surfaces that remain wet most of the time like kitchen sink, bathroom floor and walls. Clean and disinfect these surfaces on a regular basis and keep them dry.

3. Keep indoor surfaces dry. Ventilation and air circulation are must to control humidity. Keep windows open and use a fan to permit air circulation.

4. Keep the exhaust fan running in the bathroom when taking a shower. It controls the humidity and prevents mold from growing.

5. Move furniture away from the wall for proper air circulation. It will limit the growth of mold.

6. Store clothes in a closet when they are dried completely. Any traces of moisture can make mold grow. Hang wet clothes out in the sun to dry or in a place where there is air circulating. Keep the door of the closet open to permit air circulation.

7. Keep rugs, mattresses, pillows and carpets out in the sun, once in a while make them free from moisture.

8. Throw away all the materials that have become moldy. Porous materials like paper, wood material, rugs and carpets, if once contaminated by mold can not be restored easily. It is advisable to dispose of them as soon as possible. Non-porous materials like tiles, glass, steel or plastic can be saved by washing and drying properly.

9. Do not paint moldy surfaces as the paint will peel off. First clean and dry the surface then start painting.

10. Molds can grow in the soil of house plants too and can spread easily. To prevent this you can add mold-preventing solutions in soil.

Hope you find this article useful to get rid of mold and musty odour in your home.