Winter is here and with it comes cold temperatures and lots of moisture.  Anytime there is a lot of moisture or possibility of moisture it's good to be aware of what can happen if you choose to ignore it.  Mold, that disgusting looking thing that happens to old food in the fridge or that bread you just can’t eat fast enough.  Mold can grow in as little as 24 hours in optimal climates and can be caused by water and moisture from a variety of sources.  

There are common places in your home that are more prone to mold and water leaks than some.  Some of these are, but not limited to, behind the fridge, under sinks, in basements, and around air conditioning units.  If you see something dripping inspect it quickly, shut off the water, and if needed call a plumber or restoration service to help dry it.  

Time is of the essence and if you catch it quick it can be really easy to mitigate and go about your life.  If not mold can grow and can even cause you to move out for a few weeks while it is cleaned.  

Here are 5 tips to use when cleaning up mold damage from your home.  

Protect Yourself

First things first, protect yourself.  Everybody reacts differently to mold so wearing gloves and masks is key to prevent getting toxic mold into your lungs.  If you do have mold problems it is important that if it takes a week to clean that it doesn’t also take years of doctor's visits as well.  

Take it Out

The next thing is to take out anything that is still wet and either clean it or dispose of it.  Another thing to be aware of is mold is airborne and can still be present even if you can’t see it.  If mold was present in a room and there are things like clothes or bedding it can be a good idea to get those items cleaned, especially if it is a kids room.  

Air it Out

When you are in the house that is affected by mold keep it well ventilated.  Open windows and doors and use fans and dehumidifiers to help remove moisture from the room to slow the growth of mold.  For large scale damage a local restoration company has access to industrial dehumidifiers and air movers to speed up this process.  

Clean Surfaces

Once you have dried out the room and stopped the source of the mold it's time to clean and sanitize floors and walls.  Use water and detergents to clean walls and other household items.  Any place you can see mold clean  it.  And even if you can;t it's a good idea to clean the walls and carpets where high levels of mold were found.  The last thing you want is a newborn baby crawling around on the rug that may have mold spores still in it.  Always remember when using cleaning products that you read labels and don’t mix unwanted chemicals.  

Don’t Rush

As you near the end of the cleaning and drying process never rush to finish too fast.  Never just paint over mold on the walls and make sure everything is completely dry before you close up walls.  If using a restoration company they can give you a reading to make sure your home is at a healthy level for your lifestyle.  

As with any water damage or home disaster it is important to get the expertise you need before you start.  Most homeowners insurance policies cover water damage and some even mold as well.  Call your insurance agent or a restoration professional to assess the damage, test the air quality and moisture levels, and give you a thorough dry out and cleaning.  

As a content restoration company we have equipment to clean your clothing and bedding that may have high levels of mold and clean them to food grade levels.  We can even test each load that comes out to see if it is safe for your family to take back into your home.  

Don’t neglect mold.  Get it cleaned quickly to avoid long term damage to your home and your own health.  

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