Prevention

General Information

Keep your living space clean...

Clean, vacuum and/or mop kitchens, bathrooms, carpets, floors and all other portions of the premises on a regular basis so as to avoid the accumulation of dirt & debris. Use household cleaners on hard surfaces-clean the areas with soap (or detergent) and a small amount of water, let the surface dry, and then within 24 hours apply a non-staining cleaner such as Lysol Disinfectant, Pine-Sol Disinfectant, Tilex Mildew Remover or Clorox Cleanup. Always use gloves, protective clothing that covers your skin, protective eye wear and dust masks before cleaning with any cleaning agents.

If you have health concerns, consult a health professional before starting cleanup.

Remove garbage regularly and remove moldy or rotting items promptly from the premises (whether food, wet clothing, or other materials).

Immediately clean up and dry any visible moisture accumulation on floors, WINDOWS, walls, ceilings and other surfaces. Be attentive to moisture in the bathroom following a shower or a bath, plant watering overflows; steam from open pot cooking; etc.

Condensation is a frequent cause of moisture. Condensation forms on cold surfaces when water vapor in the air cools and becomes liquid. Often you'll see condensation on WINDOWS. Regularly check, clean and wipe window tracks, casings and sills, and keep these areas free of condensation.

Keep all furniture at least 3" away from walls and store items in a dry, well ventilated area.

Maintain indoor temperatures between 50 and 80 degrees and keep the "humidity under 60%."

The key to controlling mold growth is moisture control!

Remember that mold can only grow when the relative humidity is over 60%.

Ways to reduce humidity in your home:

• Always turn on bathroom fans when showering.
• Always turn on range fans when cooking.
• Turn on ceiling fans to promote air circulation or open windows (where safe to do so) for air flow, especially when there are no fans available. Always leave the furnace fan on (not heat) if practical.
• Ventilate your home as much as possible when operating your washer/dryer. Keep the laundry door open, ensure vent is properly connected and keep lint screen cleaned regularly. Do not let wet or damp clothes or other cloth materials lie in piles for extended periods of time. Do not block or cover any heating, ventilation or air conditioning ducts in your dwelling.
• Do not keep an excessive number of house plants, reduce the use of fish tanks and do not cook or do laundry for extended periods of time. This will help to avoid unnecessary creation of moisture.
• Do what you can to keep rain water from seeping into your home. Check potential problem areas regularly. Be attentive to leaks in washing machine hoses and discharge lines.

How to monitor the humidity levels in your home: "Hygrometer"

• A hygrometer is an instrument used for measuring the moisture content in the air, these measured quantities will lead to a measurement of humidity. Hygrometers are relatively inexpensive and can be found in hardware or big box stores.
• Install a hygrometer in a high moisture area (bathroom, laundry) which will automatically display the current humidity level and allow you to monitor and keep the humidity level under 60% to avoid mold growth.