How to Prevent and Remove Mildew: Home Methods
Wanda Eubank
Department of Environmental Design
Betty Feather
Department of Textile and Apparel Management
http://muextension.missouri.edu/explore/hesguide/housing/gh5928.htm
Mildew can be found on many different surfaces. It is
a thin, black, or sometimes white, growth produced by
mold. Molds are simple plants belonging to the group
known as fungi. Though molds are always present in the
air, those that cause mildew need moisture and certain
temperatures to grow. They commonly develop in humid
summer weather, especially in closed houses.
These molds grow on anything from which they can get
enough food. In homes they develop most often on
cotton, linen, rayon, silk, wool, leather, wood and
paper. Many synthetic fibers resist mildew.
To read the full article: http://muextension.missouri.edu/explore/hesguide/housing/gh5928.htm
Showing posts with label issue: mold. Show all posts
Showing posts with label issue: mold. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Avoid Toxic Mold
Avoid Toxic Mold
You'll breathe much easier with better indoor air quality.
http://www.thedailygreen.com/going-green/tips/mold-abatement-460214?src=nl&mag=tdg&list=dgr&kw=ist
http://www.thedailygreen.com/print-this/going-green/tips/mold-abatement-460214
Mold can be toxic, even life threatening. You can test for mold and do mold abatement. The best strategy is prevention: avoid moisture and scrub away any mold you find with strong natural cleaners.
Mold isn't just something that turns bread and peaches bad. It can seriously threaten indoor air quality, and even lead to death in rare cases. So make sure your home and work spaces are free of the nasty stuff.
Spurred by moisture, mold can develop rapidly and unnoticed. It is much more common in humid areas, but can form anywhere there's a little moisture and some type of organic-based material, be that fabric, wood or even some paints. Mold likes dark places, and frequently develops in areas that are out of view.
The best solution is prevention, so make sure you don't have any leaks or pipes that promote condensation, as well as cracks in basements or low-lying areas that can let moisture in. Don't leave wet clothes or towels lying around. If you are suffering from worsened allergies or suspect poor air quality, you may want to do a mold test. Your best bet is probably to call in a professional, but you can purchase a do-it-yourself test kit from the Internet.
Getting rid of mold once you have it may be as simple as drying the area out and scrubbing with strong natural cleaners (use bleach if you must). Extensive mold requires replacement of surfaces and structures, however, and you may need professional help. Both Ed McMahon and Erin Brockovich have suffered serious damage to their homes from mold, so the problem can strike anyone.
You'll breathe much easier with better indoor air quality.
http://www.thedailygreen.com/going-green/tips/mold-abatement-460214?src=nl&mag=tdg&list=dgr&kw=ist
http://www.thedailygreen.com/print-this/going-green/tips/mold-abatement-460214
Mold can be toxic, even life threatening. You can test for mold and do mold abatement. The best strategy is prevention: avoid moisture and scrub away any mold you find with strong natural cleaners.
Mold isn't just something that turns bread and peaches bad. It can seriously threaten indoor air quality, and even lead to death in rare cases. So make sure your home and work spaces are free of the nasty stuff.
Spurred by moisture, mold can develop rapidly and unnoticed. It is much more common in humid areas, but can form anywhere there's a little moisture and some type of organic-based material, be that fabric, wood or even some paints. Mold likes dark places, and frequently develops in areas that are out of view.
The best solution is prevention, so make sure you don't have any leaks or pipes that promote condensation, as well as cracks in basements or low-lying areas that can let moisture in. Don't leave wet clothes or towels lying around. If you are suffering from worsened allergies or suspect poor air quality, you may want to do a mold test. Your best bet is probably to call in a professional, but you can purchase a do-it-yourself test kit from the Internet.
Getting rid of mold once you have it may be as simple as drying the area out and scrubbing with strong natural cleaners (use bleach if you must). Extensive mold requires replacement of surfaces and structures, however, and you may need professional help. Both Ed McMahon and Erin Brockovich have suffered serious damage to their homes from mold, so the problem can strike anyone.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
12 Tips for a Mold Free Home
12 tips for a mold-free home
By Pat Curry
Follow these suggestions to keep mold from growing in
your home:
1. Check the exterior of your home regularly for
accumulation of ground water.
2. If you ever see bubbling or dampness in a wall, get
the wall opened to see what's causing it.
3. If your house sits above a foundation and there's a
heavy rain, put electric fans under the house to dry
the ground.
4. Fix leaky faucets, pipes and other leaks as soon as
you find them.
5. Have your heating and air conditioning system
serviced each year.
6. Clean and dry out wet or damp areas within 48
hours.
7. Keep indoor humidity below 60 percent by venting
bathrooms and dryers to the outside, using air
conditioners and dehumidifiers, using exhaust fans or
opening windows when cooking, washing dishes or
cleaning, and increasing ventilation.
8. If you have a leak that saturates carpet, ceiling
tiles or upholstery, remove them.
9. Use paint that has an EPA-approved mold inhibitor.
10. Clean kitchens and bathrooms with mold-killing
cleaners.
11. Don't carpet bathrooms.
12. Don't put vinyl wallpaper on walls that are at
risk of sustaining water damage.
Pat Curry is a contributing editor based in Georgia.
By Pat Curry
Follow these suggestions to keep mold from growing in
your home:
1. Check the exterior of your home regularly for
accumulation of ground water.
2. If you ever see bubbling or dampness in a wall, get
the wall opened to see what's causing it.
3. If your house sits above a foundation and there's a
heavy rain, put electric fans under the house to dry
the ground.
4. Fix leaky faucets, pipes and other leaks as soon as
you find them.
5. Have your heating and air conditioning system
serviced each year.
6. Clean and dry out wet or damp areas within 48
hours.
7. Keep indoor humidity below 60 percent by venting
bathrooms and dryers to the outside, using air
conditioners and dehumidifiers, using exhaust fans or
opening windows when cooking, washing dishes or
cleaning, and increasing ventilation.
8. If you have a leak that saturates carpet, ceiling
tiles or upholstery, remove them.
9. Use paint that has an EPA-approved mold inhibitor.
10. Clean kitchens and bathrooms with mold-killing
cleaners.
11. Don't carpet bathrooms.
12. Don't put vinyl wallpaper on walls that are at
risk of sustaining water damage.
Pat Curry is a contributing editor based in Georgia.
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