Mold and cleaning

Mold can be a concerning issue, and it is important to know how to deal with it. In this post, we provide insights into mold and cleaning, as well as useful tips for cleaning mold from different surfaces. From identification to treatment and preventive measures, here is what you need to know to tackle mold in your home! 

 

 

 

First, what is mold? Mold is a collective term for all microscopic fungi Mold grows on a nutrient-containing substrate, such as firewood, but mold can also grow on other organic materials. However, it needs something to take hold in and begin growing. Maintaining a proper basic level of cleanliness and not giving mold too much to start growing in is therefore often a good idea.

Mold can, for example, grow on inorganic materials such as concrete if the surface is damp and soiled with dust, soil, or other dirt.

Inorganic and clean surfaces resist mold growth well, such as clean tiles. Mold thrives in a damp environment and often affects buildings where ventilation or moisture protection is not working properly.

 

This sofa had been standing in a damp environment and, in addition, it was full of biological material around all the buttons (cheese puffs, bread crumbs, etc.), which had created a perfect environment for mold to attack the furniture. We brought it inside and cleaned it with soap spray and a cloth. Once the biological material had been cleaned away, the sofa was allowed to dry thoroughly. The same cleaning was then carried out once more, and now the furniture is dry again and free of mold. The infestation was therefore only superficial and localized and could be cleaned away. (Use respiratory protection even for superficial infestations such as this one.)

 

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Not all mold is dangerous, but it is very difficult to know whether it is dangerous or not unless you are very knowledgeable about mold. Therefore, seek professional help if you have a mold infestation at home. Mold can be harmful to both your home and your health, so you should be vigilant. You may experience anything from headaches to poisoning caused by mycotoxins. If you suspect a mold infestation in your home, it should be inspected, because it is by no means certain that it will be visible or detectable by smell, even though it often is both visible and noticeable by smell.

Mold can of course also be beneficial, For example, brush mold is used to produce antibiotics and penicillin, but the chances that your basement would be full of penicillin are nevertheless small, so look into the matter!

But don't panic about mold; mold is everywhere around us and is, after all, a natural part of our environment. Mold spores are always present in the air over land. In winter, there may be as few as 10 spores per cubic meter, but in summer, outdoor air commonly contains more than 10,000 spores per cubic meter.

 

Here we have obvious water damage. It is not possible to solve the problem by cleaning. Professional help is needed to repair the moisture damage and carry out remediation.

 

Alternaria, Cladosporium, and Fusarium, for example, are found over fields, while Aspergillus and Penicillium are more common indoors and sometimes in wooded areas. We do not notice or suffer harm from any of these. Problems can arise only when the spores begin to grow and form mold. For that to happen, moisture, nutrients, and the right temperature are needed.

Mold fungi often first affect homes at 5–10°C. However, on a nutrient-rich substrate, mold can grow at temperatures close to 0°C—for example, mold on fruit in a cold refrigerator.

Can you fix it yourself?
Yes, if the mold is only on the surface, you can handle it yourself. If it is a larger problem or a more extensive infestation, you need professional help.

For example, I once found a soccer sock at the bottom of a laundry basket. It had been put in the basket wet, with a wet towel on top, and had remained there while we were away for a couple of days. Needless to say, it had developed mold. This is not a mold infestation that requires professional attention; it is localized and the cause is obvious. A wet sock was left at the bottom of a plastic laundry basket. All the conditions for mold were present, but it was easy to fix. I scrubbed the laundry basket with soap and water, and washed the towel and socks in the machine. 

 

If you have a small area of mold to clean up, wear a face mask as a precaution. Gloves are also recommended, and if there is a lot of mold, consider wearing safety goggles as well. 

Identify the source: Try to find out why there is mold. Is it just a wet sock, or is there an underlying cause, such as water damage, damaged surface coatings, or poor ventilation?

Clean with soap and water, or alternatively baking soda. Fungi and mold thrive in an acidic environment but not in an alkaline one. Dry thoroughly and make sure no water remains; ventilation and drying are key to keeping mold away.

 

Mold and silicone sealant: Silicone sealant often develops black mold spots over time, and unfortunately they are often underneath the silicone sealant, so it makes no difference how much you try to clean the surface.

The silicone joint needs to be removed and redone. Mold-free silicone is now available at building supply stores. We recommend using this type of silicone AND carefully checking that the underlying problem is not water damage, as that will need to be repaired by a professional.
When you are finished, check regularly to ensure that the problem does not return, as you will then need to investigate the source more thoroughly. 

 

Mold and tile grout: Has the tile grout become discolored? It is not necessarily mold; it could also be limescale or biological dirt, skin deposits, soap residue, and so on. These are things you can remove with soap and a stiffer brush. And as mentioned above, mold needs something to grow on; cleaning thoroughly reduces the risk of mold spores taking hold.

Fusarium is a fungus that is somewhat red or pink in color. It also thrives in and is very common in showers and bathrooms; scrub it and keep it away with soap and a brush.

 

Vacuum cleaners and mold: If you have vacuumed up mold, the vacuum cleaner must be thoroughly cleaned and all filters replaced; otherwise, you risk spreading mold spores through the vacuum cleaner.

 

An interior door had been standing in a damp storage room. This was also only surface mold and was easy to scrub away.

Quick recap

1. At a minimum, use respiratory protection; gloves and safety goggles are also recommended.
2. Find out the cause / find the source.
3. Clean and check that the mold does not return.
4. If the problem returns or the source cannot be located, you need to contact a professional and possibly your insurance company as well.

 

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1. What are the most common places where mold can grow in the home according to the post?

The most common places for mold to grow in the home are on organic materials such as wood, but it can also occur on inorganic materials such as concrete if the surface is damp and dirty.

 

2. Why is it important to find and address the source of mold growth?

Finding and addressing the source of mold growth is important because mold thrives in damp environments and needs a source of nutrients to grow on. If the source is not addressed, mold growth may return despite cleaning measures! 

 

 

3. What are the benefits of using soap and water to clean mold?

The benefits of using soap and water to clean mold are that fungi and mold thrive in an acidic environment but not in an alkaline one. Soap makes the surface alkaline and therefore less favorable for mold growth.