Many properties across the country including Toronto are finding that with the onset on Autumn and greater moisture in the air, those horrible mold stains are returning. Just because you have mold doesn’t mean your home is unclean. In every property, miscellaneous parts crack over time and sometimes it takes a while to notice it. That’s usually when mildew crawls into your lovely home, unnoticed, until you either discover the well-known unpleasant smell or you spot the atrocious growing stains. For some house, mold is an ongoing dilemma in areas like kitchens or bathrooms due to the increased wetness and humidity in these areas. With the same solution it doesn’t matter if you have dampness due to greater air moisture in the fall or a steamy kitchen year round.

DIY or Specialists

Of course there are lots of companies out there that would happily solve this dilemma for you, but since many people think twice before spending money on work they can do themselves, here’s some DIY, eco-friendly solutions. For vast affected areas that are over 10 sq ft, we would recommend that you seek expert advise first.

Be aware of protection before you start to solve the dilemma

Even though most types of mold are safe to humans, there are certain kinds (like black mold) that are rather toxic. Make sure before commencing to clean that you purchase a sturdy pair of rubber gloves and a particle mask such as the N95. To find out the type of mold and for your own peace of mind, purchase a mold test kit from your local hardware shop. Allergies and respiratory difficulties can be exacerbated by mold treatments, so acquiring and using this kit would be a good idea.

Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products

White vinegar is the number one product for dealing with mold as it is inexpensive, eco-friendly and most of us have it in our house already. Just like it will drive away ants (as we recently wrote about in the first issue of Toronto homeowner’s guide), it will not only eradicate the fungi, but also bacteria; it will even dissolve lime scale. Distilled white vinegar is a 100% degradable detergent that can challenge with all those expensive anti-fungal sprays on the market, without emptying your purse.

Destruction and Prevention of mold and mold spores

Getting rid of mold long-term is hardly a one-time venture. Since mold will only turn up where it finds a comfortable environment, it is necessary to first clean the problem areas. Try to find out what generated the mold in the first instance and find a solution to the issue. To halt mold spores becoming airborne, where possible wet the area before you attempt to clean it. Once you have finished cleaning, carefully dry the surface.

If the surface is porous such as paper or fabric then these goods are extremely difficult if not impossible to erase of mold. We would advise you get rid of these items and purchase new ones. The most straightforward thing to do in this whole process is hinder the mold from coming back. Use a hygrometer in your property to keep track of the humidity and repair any water leaks, pay special attention to hard to reach areas as these will also be hard to clean. Airing rooms frequently is a very straightforward step and one that doesn’t cost you any effort. Controlling the humidity to less than 60% helps obstruct mold returning. In hot weather humidity grows, so invest in a decent air conditioner, if it has filters, as these are a breeding ground for mold, make sure they are regularly cleaned. On the opposite vein, purchase a dehumidifier for those chilly and damp days. Good luck! Hopefully by following our advise you can minimize or prevent your house being a home for mold.