Mould problem can be a serious trouble in any home, no matter you are a homeowner or renter. This fungus grows on everything and prospers everywhere it can find moisture. It loves humidity, warm and dusk places and induces a musty, unpleasant odour.
A major mould infestation can ruin your home and your health. It doesn’t matter whether you have noticed a small spot of mildew in the bathroom or a larger chunk on an external wall.
Check the moisture source as well as the visible growth. Recurring, widespread or hidden mould needs assessment; surface cleaning alone may leave the cause unresolved. Read the current damp and mould guidance.
That’s why the experts at the Star Domestic Cleaners Company have prepared the following guide to help you through.
What are Mould & Mildew
Mould and mildew (mould in its early stage) are fungi that easily and quickly grow anywhere there is moisture. They thrive on warm, moist, dark environments such as bathrooms or garage walls, woollen carpets or the outdoor furniture.
Both can spread on different surfaces in your home, including food, clothes, shower and even a piece of paper.
Regular carpet cleaning is not a substitute for controlling damp. If a carpet is mouldy or has stayed wet, ask for an assessment of the carpet, underlay and moisture source.
What are the Differences Between Mould & Mildew?
But mould and mildew differ when it comes to size, colour, and texture.
- Mould is a type of fungi that develops from airborne spores. It can be black or green coloured and often indicates larger infestation.
- Mildew is a surface fungus, type of mould, which is grey or even white tinted. It likes spreading across natural fabrics like cotton, linen and silk.
How to Detect if You Have Mould in Your Home?
Many of the properties provide the necessary conditions for mould to grow. A quick glimpse into your home may persuade you that you are safe. But you can not be sure without a detailed home inspection.
Unfortunately, a mildew problem is not always evident but we’ll teach you how to spot it at an early stage.
Here are some helpful tips for detecting if you have mould thriving in your home:
Check for Visible Growth
- Inspect your property thoroughly starting from the places with the highest humidity like your bathroom, basement and attic.
- Check the areas with inadequate airflow as corners and walls, all closets, windows and carpets.
If you ever see minor mildew patches, you should act immediately as they can spread quickly and will require more efforts to deal with.
Consider regular interior or exterior window cleaning to keep glass nice and shiny.
Do Not Ignore Strange Odours
Do any areas in your home smell disgusting or like rotten wood or paper? Often a weird odour might be the only signal for the problem. So do not ignore it, even if the signs of mildew are invisible.
Perform a nose check on the walls of your basement, bathroom, attic, and any other room prone to moisture.
Learn how to DIY: How To Get Dog Smell Out Of Your Carpet Naturally?
Check Water Leaks
As most of the leaks are often hidden, they can remain undetected for a long time which might make the problem even more severe.
If you have had water problems in your house such as leaking pipes or a leaking ceiling, that is enough of a clue that there is fungus growing in that places.
Pay Attention to Physical Symptoms
Do you notice if your allergy is getting worse when you are at home or outdoor?
Damp and mould can be associated with allergic reactions and respiratory symptoms, and can trigger asthma symptoms in susceptible people. A webpage cannot diagnose the effect on an individual. Seek medical advice about symptoms and address the moisture problem as well as visible growth. Read the relevant air quality guidance.
How to Get Rid of Mould
Decide whether the affected material and extent are suitable for a small surface-cleaning task. Seek advice for extensive, recurring or hidden growth and where occupants are particularly vulnerable. Do not disturb suspect building material.
If you choose the DIY method, make sure you are using protective gear, such as eyewear, face-mask and rubber gloves, and are following the tips below:
- Follow the product instructions for ventilation, protection, application and rinsing. Keep children and pets away from the work. Do not brush mould dry or direct a fan at affected material. Read cleaning-product safety advice.
How to Remove Mould from Walls
For a small affected area on a suitable washable surface, use a single product approved for that material and follow its label. Do not prepare a stronger homemade mixture.
Here is how to get rid of mould on walls:
- Follow the selected product’s directions, including contact time and removal. Do not mix products or vacuum mouldy material with an ordinary household vacuum. If the wall is damaged, growth returns or the cause is unclear, arrange an assessment.
How to Get Rid of Mould in Bathrooms
Bathrooms can retain moisture after bathing. Check the extractor, ventilation and any leaks; repeatedly cleaning the visible mark does not repair the cause.
Use the following checks before treating a small patch on a suitable bathroom surface:
- Never mix hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, bleach or other cleaning substances. Choose one suitable labelled product, check the surface manufacturer’s instructions, and follow the product’s protection, ventilation, contact-time and rinsing directions. Seek assessment for recurring or extensive growth.
A surface treatment may not remove growth within porous material or restore discoloured silicone. Check the condition and moisture cause before assuming the problem is resolved.
How to Get Rid of Mould on Fabrics
The fungus can often grow on clothes, and organic fabrics provide a food source for it to thrive. So you can be sure that if you notice mould on one shirt, it will hop on everything within the wardrobe in no time.
Gratefully, you can remove mould from your fabrics via the tips below:
- Check the garment’s care label before cleaning. Do not dry-brush mould indoors or use a hotter wash than the label allows. Separate affected items and ask a suitable textile cleaner about delicate or heavily affected fabrics. Dry permitted washable items fully before storage.
Empty and inspect a damp wardrobe so the source can be addressed. Do not spray chemicals into occupied storage or assume a mould spray prevents recurrence.
For mould on a leather chair or recliner, check the manufacturer’s care instructions and ask for advice suitable for that finish. Do not assume a fabric-cleaning recipe is suitable for leather or mix cleaning substances to make a stronger treatment. The moisture source also needs attention. Read the relevant air quality guidance.
A top tip: Make sure to move the recliner or leather chair out of direct sunlight after you’ve cleaned it and keep a fan on it to dry.
Fungi can even infest drapery. Just make sure you check if your curtains are suitable to wash or dry clean only.
If nothing works, resolve to our proven service for professional upholstery cleaning.
How to Get Rid of Mould Smell in Your Home
A musty smell can have several causes, and visible mould is not always accompanied by a noticeable odour. If the smell remains after cleaning, investigate damp material and leaks rather than adding fragrance.
- Open up all doors and windows to let the fresh air pour in. Don’t forget to open up confined spaces like closets, cupboards and cabinets.
- Use some baking soda to absorb the damp smell and moisture in small shut-in areas like cabinets, closets. Put a plate with bicarbonate of soda for up to 24 hours.
- Make a natural lemon air freshener – mix 1 tablespoon squeezed lemon juice, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 2 cups warm water and 7 drops lemon essential oil in a spray bottle. Shake it to dissolve the baking soda and spray when needed to achieve fresh lemon scent.
Read our full guide:
How to Get Rid of Damp and Musty Odours at Home?
How to Prevent Mould Coming Back
If you want to prevent it from returning, you need to get to the bottom of the problem. It is important to find out what is causing dampness in your property and to take precautions.
Eliminate Moisture
Mould and mildew like warm, humid, dark spaces. If you want to forget for them, you have to find out what helps them grow at a first place. Try to control your home’s indoor humidity down:
- Check ventilation, extraction, leaks and cold surfaces. A dehumidifier may help control moisture in some situations; an air purifier does not remove the source of damp. Small silica packets are not a repair for a damp room. Read the EPA guide to air cleaners.
Vent your Property Regularly
To have a mould-free home, you have to keep it well-ventilated. The ventilation is an enemy of moisture.
There are some good practices you can follow:
- Always use an extractor fan when you take shower or cook.
- Keep your windows open when the weather allows it.
- Invest in a high-quality dehumidifier.
- Dry your clothes outside or use a tumble dryer.
- Control smoky atmospheres.
Fix Water Leaks & Gutters
According to Plumbing Lab, plumbing leaks and broken gutters are some of the most common reasons for mildew to spread. To stop the problem from reoccurring, it is important to fix them as soon as possible.
Gutters keep water away from your house, so maintain them regularly. Clean them every fall and spring to remove dirt, debris and leaves.
Keep Your Home Fresh & Clean
Routine cleaning helps you notice developing damp, but it cannot guarantee a mould-free home. Moisture, ventilation and building defects need attention.
So it is essential to give your home a thorough clean-up at least once a month or for a better result do it on weekly basis. In case you don’t want to spend your free time dusting or scrubbing, you can arrange a professional regular cleaning to successfully keep your home in tip-top shape.
Contact us for professional help.
Credits:
Header image source: Flickr. Title: “Black Mold”. Author: satemkemet. License type: CC BY-SA 2.0
