Mold and Mildew are fungi that thrive and grow in moist environments. Outdoors in nature, molds are essential for decomposing organisms and regenerating soil. Indoors, however, molds can be detrimental to your health. Mold is usually green, white or black and can look thick and fuzzy.
Mildew is mold in earlier stages. Mildew is usually black, brown, yellow, or white and can look dusty and flat. Mold grows in colonies and starts to form after 24-48 hours on a damp surface.
Why is Mold considered harmful for health?
Mold should be taken seriously since there are many health risks associated with it. Mold spores are allergens that can cause sneezing, running nose, red eyes and can even lead to asthma in severe cases. Mold can sometimes even be toxic and therefore is essential for mold to be treated by trained professionals ASAP. Mildew can produce less severe symptoms and a little bit in your restroom is more of an eyesore than a health hazard.
How do you clean Mold and Mildew?
When trying to clean mold, it is best to hire a professional company. They use special protective gear to prevent it from spreading any further, they can treat it with specialty products and test the air for mold spores.
Thankfully, cleaning mildew is much easier and can be treated with vinegar or hydrogen peroxide.
What can you do to prevent mold?
With mold, prevention is much better than a solution and it would be easier to stop mold from growing in the first place. A few handy steps to avoid growth of moisture in your home are:
- Use exhaust fans in bathrooms to eliminate excess moisture especially after showers. In case you don’t have an exhaust, leave the door and a window open to reduce moisture.
- Clean your shower curtains on a regular basis.
- Dry the tiles and tub after a shower
- Hang damp towels spread out to allow to dry out completely.
Yes, mold is concerning but it is entirely preventable as long as you keep the moisture to a minimum in your house. Our state licensed professionals at Service Master Elite Cleaning Service are adept at dealing with any kind of mold growth. Contact us for a consultation.
