Oct. 7, 2021 | Maybe it’s the slimy black spots that appear on your shower curtain or the slick orange film that forms on your kitchen drain. Mold is a visible group of fungi that forms and spreads on various kinds of damp or decaying organic matter, such as dry wall and other building materials. There are many different types of mold, with some 1.5 million species estimated to exist. Some people may refer to mold as mildew. Both are terms used to describe fungal growth. Mildew is typically powdery and light in color, whereas mold is often fuzzy and more colorful. Molds are part of the natural environment. Outdoors, molds play a part in nature by breaking down organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead trees, but indoors, mold growth should be avoided. Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores that are invisible to the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air. Mold may begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet.

Oct. 7, 2021 | Mold will grow in places with a lot of moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes, or where there has been flooding. Mold grows well on paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, and wood products. Mold can also grow in dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, carpet, fabric and upholstery. Mold can enter your home through open doorways, windows, vents, and heating and air conditioning systems. Mold in the air outside can also attach itself to clothing, shoes, and pets can and be carried indoors. When mold spores drop on places where there is excessive moisture, such as where leakage may have occurred in roofs, pipes, walls and plant pots, they will grow. Many building materials provide suitable nutrients that encourage mold to grow. Wet cellulose materials, including paper and paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, wood, and wood products, are particularly conducive for the growth of some molds.

Oct. 7, 2021 | If you have a mold allergy, your immune system overreacts when you breathe in mold spores. A mold allergy can cause coughing, itchy eyes and other symptoms that make you miserable. You might have year-round symptoms or symptoms that flare up only during certain times of the year. You might notice symptoms when the weather is damp or when you’re in indoor or outdoor spaces that have high concentrations of mold. Like any allergy, mold allergy symptoms are triggered by an overly sensitive immune system response. When you inhale tiny, airborne mold spores, your body recognizes them as foreign invaders and develops allergy-causing antibodies to fight them. Only certain kinds of mold cause allergies. Fortunately, being allergic to one type of mold doesn’t mean you’ll be allergic to another. Some of the most common molds that cause allergies include alternaria, aspergillus, cladosporium and penicillium.

Oct. 7, 2021 | Maybe it’s gray fur on a forgotten pack of bologna or fuzzy green dots on a loaf of bread. When a food shows heavy mold growth, “root” threads have invaded it deeply. In dangerous molds, poisonous substances are often contained in and around these threads. In some cases, toxins may have spread throughout the food. While most molds prefer warmer temperatures, they can grow at refrigerator temperatures as well. Molds also tolerate salt and sugar better than most other food invaders. Therefore, molds can grow in refrigerated jams and jelly and on cured, salty meats like ham, bacon and salami. Cleanliness is vital in controlling mold. Mold spores from affected food can build up in your refrigerator, dishcloths, and other cleaning utensils. Clean the inside of the refrigerator every few months with a tablespoon of baking soda dissolved in a quart of water. And keep sponges, and mops clean and fresh. A musty smell means they’re spreading mold around.

Oct. 7, 2021 | It’s impossible to completely remove all of the mold and mold spores in your home but because mold spores can’t grow without moisture, reducing moisture in your home is the best way to prevent or eliminate mold growth. If there is already mold growing in your home, it’s important to clean up the mold and fix the problem causing the dampness. If you clean up the mold but don’t fix the problem, the mold will most likely return. To prevent mold in the bathroom, use exhaust fans to remove moisture and check for leaks around basins or tubs and have them repaired if necessary. In your laundry room, make sure the dryer vent is clear of obstructions like lint and there are no holes that leak air. If the vent duct is damaged, replace it with a metal duct and have the duct cleaned at least once a year. In the kitchen, use exhaust fans to move moisture outside whenever cooking or cleaning and be sure to check for any leaks around the sink, ice maker or other sources of water.