Black mold in houses: How do you eliminate this problem? 

What it is and isn't

First, most molds look black, so don't panic when you see one. The one hogging today's conversation is Stachybotrys atra, or Stachy (STACK-ee)for short -- and actually it's green-black.

The mold you see on the concrete wall behind your washer and dryer might be black, but it's probably not Stachy. Nor is the black mold on the grout in your shower. Stachy doesn't grow where it's exposed to air and light.

Stachybotrys is the most famous of four well-known toxic molds. The others are Penicillium, Aspergillus and Fusarium. If any of these four are in your house, you want to get rid of them. Though research is skimpy and conflicting so far, its likely they can trigger illness in some sensitive people.

Hundreds more nontoxic molds float through our air, some of them valued parts of our biosphere. These nontoxic molds may trigger cold-like symptoms for people who have allergies.

The Environmental Protection Agency and the American Lung Association say it's less important to identify mold than to get rid of it. The basic rule in the home is: Kill any mold you see, right away. Then hunt down and stop whatever water leak made it possible.
 

Clothing and Household Fabrics

Never let clothing or other fabrics lie around damp or wet. Dry soiled clothes before putting them into the hamper. Spread out washcloths and damp towels. Stretch out wet shower curtains. It is the wet curtain left bunched together, sticking to the wall or tub, that is most likely to mildew. Dry washed garments and fabrics thoroughly and quickly. Fabrics dried slowly may get sour and musty-smelling - a sign of mold growth.

Leather Goods

Shoes, belts, hand bags and luggage are very susceptible to mildew damage. As with fabrics, keep these items as clean as possible to prevent mildew growth. Some commercially available waxes or silicone resins have anti-mildew properties. However, some shoe dressings contain antifungal ingredients that might discolor white or light-colored leather. PRECAUTION Mildew-resistant paints should not be used on window sills, playpens, beds or toys because these paints can be harmful if ingested by small children.

Paper and Books

In damp, summer weather keep paper and books as dry as possible to help control mold growth. If you have a bookcase with a light in it, keep the bulb lit continuously to keep the air dry.

Wood

Unpainted: In damp, warm, poorly ventilated areas, surface mold often develops on wooden parts of buildings. Since new, unseasoned lumber is particularly susceptible to mildew, avoid using it whenever possible. Painted: Indoor wood surfaces covered with enamel or oil-resin paint rarely mildew, unless conditions are favorable for mold growth. Softer paints on outdoor surfaces mildew more rapidly. Molds feed on the oil and minerals in the paint, and cause dirty-looking discoloration. They may penetrate the paint film deeply, even to the underlying wood. Mildew-resistant paints for outdoor wood surfaces are available in many colors at paint and hardware stores. Manufacturers have formulated their products with fungicides to help combat mildew damage.

SUMMARY

We at Damp Rid hope the information in this guide helps you prevent mildew, mold and other musty odors in your home. We always like to hear comments or suggestions from our customers, and we invite you to call us on our toll free customer Help Line 1-888-326-7743. We also make our products available via our e-commerce website. Just call or write us, and we will be happy to help you.