Mold loves moisture, thus controlling moisture in your home is the best way to stave it off. Left unchecked, mold can cause allergies and asthma attacks, so what should you do to prevent it from developing in the first place?
- Pat dry damp surfaces like bathroom tiles after a shower. Wash your shower curtains regularly. Spores can develop within 24 hours in wet conditions.
- Run the exhaust fan in your bathroom after showering and in your kitchen when cooking.
- Heat your home sufficiently in the winter to help avoid condensation. If you notice condensation around your windows wipe it dry, and stop or severely limit the use of a humidifier.
- Cover your pots when cooking whenever possible.
- Seal any gaps around windows, doors, and electrical outlets.
- Immediately fix any leaky pipes or faucets.
- Use a dehumidifier. For convenience, get one that automatically turns on when the humidity exceeds 60 percent.
- Open the windows to circulate the air when you’re not running your furnace or AC.
- Set a reminder on your phone when doing laundry, so you don’t leave wet clothes in the washing machine or dryer.
- When renovating, use mold-resistant products that can be found in materials like drywall and insulation.
When it comes to mold, prevention is far easier than removing it, so consider it worth the time and thought.