Inhaling the spores causes allergic reactions in some people. Allergic symptoms from fungus spores are most common from July to early fall. Fungi grow in many places. They can grow both indoors and outside, so allergic reactions can occur year-round.
Mold grows faster in the summer months. However, winter doesn't always mean we are in the clear. Mold loves the dark spaces in our homes. Although it does not grow at temperatures below freezing, mold can survive in dormancy and await the coming spring.
WHEN IS MOLD MOST ACTIVE? Mold often grows in spring all the way to late fall because the environmental conditions are suitable for it to thrive. Mold does not die with the onset of winter; instead, most of it becomes dormant only to become active once the frost has thawed off.
Many fungi grow well at temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, which are also ideal temperatures for human comfort. In addition, as mentioned above, temperature gradients often produce the moisture needed for mold growth.
Most people think spring showers bring moisture problems, but it's in winter that mold tends to become even more of an issue. In colder weather, warm air from heating systems rises into attics, where it meets under the cold roof, often causing condensation: the perfect home for mold.
As you might've guessed, opening windows can help reduce mold. Doing so lets excess moisture flow outside instead of settling on your walls, floors, and ceiling. Without the proper amount of moisture indoors, mold won't be able to grow. Opening windows can be helpful.
"If there's some mold in the shower or elsewhere in the bathroom that seems to reappear, increasing ventilation (running a fan or opening a window after every shower) and cleaning more frequently will usually prevent mold from recurring, or at least keep the mold to a minimum," according to the EPA website.
Can a Dehumidifier Remove Mold? Simply put, dehumidifiers cannot remove mold. The machine is designed to remove moisture in the air. This means that if there is already a presence of mildew in a home or building, it will not be removed just by working to reduce the moisture after the fact.
The ideal temperature is between 77 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit. During the summer months, temperatures are often higher than normal inside the home. Make an effort to keep temperatures inside the home lower during the summer months. Setting the thermostat to the low 70s makes it more difficult for mold to grow.
Hydrogen peroxide kills mold spore on contact by breaking down proteins and DNA. It's normally used to clean mold on porous and non-porous surfaces. Ionized hydrogen peroxide can kill mold spores in the air, but it requires the use of a special fogging machine.
Mold Growth- The colder you keep your home, the colder the walls, ceiling, floors, windows and more will be. Water vapor that gets into these porous materials is the ideal place for mold to grow. This also can happen when humid outdoor air gets into the home and the indoor humidity is low in the air.
The number one cause of mould in homes in the UK today is under-heating. You will get less mould if you keep your home warm, ventilate properly and minimise the amount of moisture you release into the air.
Most yeasts and molds are heat-sensitive and destroyed by heat treatments at temperatures of 140-160°F (60-71°C). Some molds make heat-resistant spores, however, and can survive heat treatments in pickled vegetable products. These molds, however, require oxygen to grow.
Leave interior room and closet doors open. Consider reducing the number of house plants in your home. If your blinds or window coverings are closed all the time, condensation can get "trapped" in between the window treatments and the windows, creating a damp environment that may encourage mold growth.
Worsening mold allergies at night might be as a result of a moldy sleeping environment. Dust mite: Dust mites find their home in mattresses, pillows and bedding. Night time allergies can get worse people you may be sleeping in sheets and linens which are full of dust mites.
Extreme temperatures do not kill mold, but they can deactivate them. Even when temperatures drop below freezing, mold spores don't die; they simply become dormant and will begin to multiply and grow again as soon as the temperature rises.
Do NOT use fans if mold may already exist; a fan will spread the mold spores. Try to keep the humidity in your home below 40 percent. In moisture-prone areas, eliminate carpets or choose carpets of man-made fibers. Insulate to reduce potential for condensation on cold surfaces.
Clean with natural cleaners that can prevent mold: Cleaning surfaces with citrus-based cleaners or even a white vinegar solution can help prevent mold. Natural lemon is a terrific fresh smelling solution that can prevent mildew and mold growth.
If you're hoping to reduce mold, mildew and moisture, a dehumidifier is your best choice. However, if allergy control and air quality are top priorities, a convenient air purifier is undoubtedly the way to go.
Unfortunately, it is impossible to get rid of all mold spores in the air so you need to replace the air filter in your ac unit regularly. In addition, use an air purifier that contains a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. These air filters are known to remove up to 99.7% of all mold spores from your air.
Mould will easily grow and spread if the right conditions are present. So, dehumidifiers don't kill mould, but they can help to prevent it from growing inside your home by reducing humidity.
Air purifiers help capture mold spores from the air, preventing them from reproducing and spreading throughout your home. While air purifiers won't help treat active mold that's already present on surfaces, they are a great way to control the spread of airborne mold particles.
Tightly cover the air return vent if there is one in the affected area. Turn on an exhaust fan or place a fan in a window to blow air out of the affected room to the outside (make sure the air is blowing outside the home, not into another room). Open windows in your house during and after the cleanup.