Many plants and flowers grow in the spring. Unfortunately, so does mold. Mold prefers humid places with temperatures of about 65 degrees Fahrenheit, so springtime is the perfect time for it to proliferate. The good news is that there are many spring-cleaning tips you can follow to reduce mold, from your attic to your basement.
Reducing Mold in the Attic
Attics are often hot and humid. To reduce mold here, look for leaks, including leaks in the roof. If the attic has insulation, check it to make sure it’s not trapping condensation. Open vents to allow fresh air to circulate. Invest in pallets to lift items off the floor, and move any furniture and boxes away from the walls to also let air circulate.
Reducing Mold in the Common Rooms and Bedrooms
To reduce mold here, wash bedding, drapes, curtains and rugs regularly. You might even have wall-to-wall carpets seasonally shampooed. As with furniture in the attic, move it a little bit away from the walls to allow for more air circulation. Vacuum once a week, and dust surfaces fairly regularly with a lambswool duster or microfiber cloths. Spring is a good season to declutter anyway, but another benefit of decluttering is to lower the risk of mold.
Reducing Mold in the Bathroom
The bathroom, like all rooms that are warm, wet and poorly ventilated, is an ideal habitat for mold. Make a paste of vinegar and baking soda and scrub the tiles. Don’t forget the grout and the frames of the shower doors. Check for leaks around sinks, showers, toilet bowls and bathtubs. Make sure to look under the sinks as well. Wash shower curtains and shower curtain liners. Make sure the exhaust fans work, and turn them on.
Reducing Mold in the Kitchen
Kitchens are not only wet rooms, but may be even more hospitable to mold because of the amount of cooking, cleaning and waste disposal that goes on there. If you have a garbage disposal unit, give it a deep spring cleaning to remove mold spores and other pathogens. You should also scour the sink and check for leaks from the fixture and from the pipes beneath it. Take dishware and cookware from the countertops and cabinets, and wipe them down. Take out the garbage frequently, and clean the garbage can. Make sure to clean out the drip pan beneath the refrigerator, which is notorious for harboring mold. Open up the windows, and make sure that the hood vent above the stove works.
Reducing Mold in the Basement
Reducing mold in the basement is much like reducing it in the attic. Open the windows or run exhaust fans to let air circulate, look for leaks and condensation, and consider a dehumidifier to pull excess moisture from the air.
When you take steps to reduce mold, you help to improve the health of you and your family. This also protects the structural integrity of your home. If you have concerns or require mold remediation services, contact HTS Restoration in El Paso, TX.
