Types of Household Mold
Mold inside the home can be a very dangerous thing, but cleaning it doesn’t have to be. If you are dealing with any mold infestation, or want to avoid one, bleach is probably what the internet is suggesting you use. Sure, bleach works on mold, but it can also be toxic to both humans, animals, aquatic life, and nature at large.
DIY natural cleaners can work as effectively as bleach – without all of the nasty potential side effects. Sodium Hypochlorite, a.k.a. bleach, is regarded as an asthmagen that can cause reproductive toxicity, organ damage – or possibly even cancer, the Environmental Working Groups Guide To Healthy Cleaning reports.
Not all products that contain bleach actually advertise it on the label. At least one popular brand contains Sodium Polyacrylate. This environmental toxin contains acrylic acid impurities which could prompt respiratory irritation, and possibly cause skin erosion.
When the environmental conditions are right, mold can double and then quadruple in dimension in as little as 24 to 48 hours.
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Before we delve into several potent DIY natural mold cleaner recipes, we must first determine what type of mold is potentially growing in our homes.
Mold is classified into three categories:
This is the worst type of mold to come across. Homes have been condemned over black mold infestations. Black mold (or Stachybotrys chartarum or Stachybotrys atra, as it is more technically known) is a variety of fungus. It generally thrives in environments that are both moist and warm, which is why it is often found in bathrooms.
Black mold typically grows on wood, gypsum board, paper, dust, fiberboard, lint – or other common high cellulose matter. Even though this potentially dangerous type of mold has been dubbed black mold, it can also grow in a shade of gray or dark green. Regardless of the color, black mold stinks, and it smells musty.
Exposure to black mold can cause eye irritation, coughing, sinus problems, headaches, fever, and chronic fatigue. More serious reactions to this toxic old can lead occur over time if the area is not cleaned and exposure is prolonged. Potential black mold health risks include stroke, lung disease, respiratory problems, and immune system disorders.
Aspergillus mold spores create thick walls or layers of mold that eventually morph into mold chains. The long flask shaped spores come in a vast array of colors in the 185 species of mold in this classification.
Aspergillus mold varieties contain aflatoxins – deadly carcinogens. Exposure to mold can cause respiratory infections, and asthma attacks. It is one of the most commonly found varieties of mold found inside of homes in the United States.
Alternaria is perhaps the most common type of allergenic mold found around the globe. It is a dark green shade of mol. Alternaria mold boasts a velvety texture that includes growth of fine brown hairs.
It is sometimes mistaken for black mold, and often found under leaking sinks, in showers, and bathtubs. If there is water damage in the home, it is likely alternaria mold will develop.
Upper respiratory tract, mouth, and nose asthma like conditions can develop when someone is exposed to this rapidly spreading mold.
Chaetomium mold thrives in chronically damp areas. It has a cotton type texture, and ranges in color from white to gray to brown – but can turn black over time. Chaetomium can cause both skin and nail infections.
This mold produces mycotoxins that are particularly dangerous to folks who suffer from compromised immune systems.
Aureobasidium molds are typically found beneath painted surfaces or growing behind wallpaper. This type of mold is usually black, brown, or pink in color – turning a dark brown once it ages.
Aureobasidium mold has been known to cause skin, eye, and nail infections that could cause overall body rashes.
Cladosporium is another type of allergenic mold. Unlike almost all other mold types, cladosporium can grow in both war and cold environments. It is typically found on upholstery, curtains, carpet, and other household fabric – as well as inside cabinets and under floorboards.
Cladosporium mold is usually brown or an olive green shade and has a suede style texture. This type of mold causes allergic like reactions on the skin, nose, throat, and eyes. It can also provoke lung infection, severe skin rash and lesions, sinusitis, and asthma attacks.
Acremonium is a species of mold that is most commonly found growing on humidifiers, cooling coils, in windowsills, and drain pans. It is not uncommon to find this type of mold growing on, under, or around, blac mold. It is a toxic mold.
In its early stages of growing, acremonium mold is a moist compound, but as it matures it takes on a powder texture. The mold ranges in color from white to pink to orange.
Exposure to this toxic mold could provoke bone marrow disease, immune system problems, organ damage and even brain function problems because it is also a carcinogen.
Mucor is yet another variety of allergenic mold type that is common in North America. The shading of this type of mold is most typically either gray or white. is Mucor mold grows in thick patches in environments that are prone to condensation like HVAC systems, air conditioners, and damp carpeting.
Exposure to this mold can cause asthma, prompt asthma attacks in current sufferers, fever – and other flu like symptoms. If the exposure to mucor mold is prolonged, it could lead to mucormycosis. This type of fungal infection can damage the lungs, sinuses, and brain.
Fusarium mold can spread quickly in cold environments. It is both an allergenic and toxic old type.
Fusarium mold is commonly found in homes or areas of homes that have suffered water damage – especially in carpets, on fabric items, and behind wallpaper. It is typically white, pink or a light red in color. It naturally grows in compost piles and on food products.
Fusarium mold can cause common outdoor allergy symptoms along with dermatitis. When prolonged exposure happens, it could lead to potentially deadly brain abscesses, bone infections, as well as nervous system problems that can lead to internal bleeding and hemorrhages.
• Distilled White Vinegar – The vinegar is a natural anti-microbial acidic liquid. It can kill 82% of mold types.
If this is a particularly bad mold infestation, follow up this treatment by combiine ½ a teaspoon of baking soda with 16 ounces of water in a squirt bottle. Spray the area with the mixture and then scrub away any residue with an old toothbrush you don’t mind pitching after the chore is done.
All of these DIY natural mold cleaning and disinfecting recipes are effective alternatives to using bleach or other harsh chemical ingredients to get rid of mold. All of the ingredients used in the various mold cleaner recipes are safe for both your home and the environment.
When using a natural mold cleaner recipe that contains borax, keep pets and livestock clear of the area until it dries to ensure the wet liquid mixture is not licked and ingested.
Take proper precautions before cleaning any type of mold – but particularly toxic varieties like black mold. Always wear thick cleaning gloves and a mask over your nose and mouth. When dealing with toxic mold or in an area where ventilation is at a minimum, donning protective eyewear is also highly recommended.
In addition to cleaning the mold, you will also need to remove any contaminated materials that are too damaged, absorbent, or porous to be saved – such as drywall, carpeting, particle board – fiberboard, and ceiling tiles.
Once the cleaning and debris are chores are completed, the mold removal job is still not complete. Examine the area where the mold grew and determine how you can help deter regrowth.
Running an exhaust fan or ceiling fan in the bathroom can be an inexpensive and consistent way to keep mold growth in check. Sometimes fixing a water leak or running a dehumidifier is all that it will take.
It is best to keep the humidity levels inside the home below 50% to thwart the growth of mold. Diligently monitor damp areas inside the house, storage buildings, and barns on the homestead for signs of mold growth, especially during times of intense rain.
Tara lives on a 56 acres farm in the Appalachian Mountains, where she faces homesteading and farming challenges every single day. her homesteading skills are unmatched, she raises chickens, goats, horses, a wide variety of vegetables, not to mention she’s an expert is all sorts of homesteading skills such as hide tanning, doll making, tree tapping and many, many more.
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Types of Household Mold
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