Mold – one of the greatest enemies of the household. There are a lot of problems that the home can have but mold is by far one of the most undesirable, most unpleasant, not to mention most health hazardous of all of these. But what exactly is mold and why is it so bad?
Mold: An Overview
Mold is a type of fungal microorganism; it is a specific specie of fungi. Mold, just like any other fungi, thrive on dark, damp, and secluded areas. They love moisture and places where there is poor lighting and ventilation. Because of this, mold growth is very common in places where there is uncontrollable moisture and high humidity. What makes mold so unpleasant is its physical characteristics. Some of these characteristics include the following:
- Appearance – the appearance of mold is usually dark in color with a spotted rough texture. It is similar to the appearance of moss, although mold has a less three dimensional appearance. It looks as though dark paint has been sprayed over a surface. Mold usually comes in black, dark green, olive green, moss green, and phlegm-like colors.
- Odor – the smell of mold when it has already grown into a very big colony is very unpleasant. This odor can seep throughout the entire home and this can be a very undesirable smell in the house. If you have guests, this can be very humiliating and this can also bring discomfort to you and your family, since a bad smelling home can be a disturbing one.
- Spore Formation – the natural composition of mold is in the form of spores, just like most fungal growths. Because of this spore formation, there is a very high chance for molds to spread all over the home through air. These spores can be inhaled and when the spores infect the human body, detrimental effects can take place.
Eliminating Mold
Many people know that molds grow in their homes, since mold is a very common home problem. But many also ask: Can mold be completely eliminated from a home? This can be a very difficult task, especially if mold has already appeared in the household. There is a high chance that spores have already spread in different locations and these spores can also lead to full colony growth. But at the first sign of mold and you eliminate it completely, you can totally prevent the continued growth of the problem. All you have to do is act on it immediately.
Steps in Killing Mold
- Make sure that you apply proper lighting, ventilation, and humidity in the area where the mold formation is present. You can use an exhaust fan to ensure proper ventilation, glass windows for optimal light entry, and a centralized dehumidifier to eliminate excess moisture in the environment.
- Don’t let water stand in the location of the mold. Mold thrives in moisture and this can help it grow into a bigger colony if you don’t remove the moisture present. Use a dry rag or sponge to wipe away all moisture and prevent mold from living in it.
- Use bleach and hydrochloric acid. Bleach is a very common household cleaning agent that is used to eliminate many forms of infestations, including fungal ones. Hydrochloric acid, on the other hand, is a very strong acid that can burn molds to their roots. By constantly treating an area infested with mold using these two agents, the mold growth can be completely suppressed and eliminated.
- Use a mold testing kit to always check if there is a potential risk of growing mold in the household. This will help you monitor the cleanliness of the home and you can prevent the growth of bigger colonies by stopping them as soon as they appear.