Many houses across the country including Toronto are finding that with the onset on Autumn and greater moisture in the air, those nasty mold stains are returning. Just because you have mold doesn’t mean your house is grimy. Items break or crack in a property and they are not always found immediately. That’s usually when mildew crawls into your lovely home, overlooked, until you either discover the well-known displeasing smell or you spot the atrocious growing stains. The bathroom and kitchen, high moisture areas, are a commonplace space for mold to multiply all year round in some homes. Whether the mold is seasonal or year round the solution to the dilemma is totally the same.

DIY or Experts

Of course it is your prerogative to engage a professional company to deal with the dilemma for you, but before you dole out for them have a go out some of our eco-friendly solutions. Obviously if it the dilemma is not confined to a small area and covers a big expanse then asking a professional to call round may be the better solution.

Safety is a Must

A couple of molds such as black mold can be harmful to humans and quite toxic, though most are perfectly safe. So before you start any cleansing, arm yourself with a pair of hefty rubber gloves and an N95 respirator. To discover the type of mold and for your own peace of mind, buy a mold test kit from your local hardware shop. If a member of your household has an allergy or respiratory difficulties then this kit would help you decide which option you pick.

Environmentally friendly solutions

White vinegar is the number one solution for dealing with mold as it is cheap, eco-friendly and most of us have it in our house already. White vinegar has a horde of uses; not only does it kill the fungi and the bacteria that cause mold, it also dissolves limescale and drives away ants (as reported in one of our very first Toronto homeowner’s guide). While there is always high-priced anti-fungal solutions on your supermarket shelf, distilled white vinegar is utterly bio-degradable.

How to get rid of the mold and stop it finding its way back

If you want to get rid of mold permanently or as long as possible, you have to realize that it will require repeated treatments. Thoroughly cleaning the affected areas is a must as mold will just turn up again. Try to find out what produced the mold in the first place and find a solution to the problem. When cleaning hard surfaces such as tile or ceramic, linoleum, tile grout, or plastic such as shower curtains, wet the effected area so that the spores don’t become airborne, then simply give it a good scour with a cleaner of your choice. Dry the surface carefully.

Porous surfaces, on the other hand, such as fabric, drywall, wall paper, or wood, are very problematic or hopeless to erase of mold. Disposing and replacing, where required, these objects is the best option in these circumstances. To avoid mold from coming back is a fairly simple thing to do. Mold likes hot and humid environments, so it is important to repair any possible water leaks and to keep track of the relative humidity in your home (a hygrometer will help you with that). A clear and easy step that helps obstruct mold from returning is frequently airy those problem areas. Humidity greater than 60% will guarantee the recurrence of mold. In sweltering weather humidity rises, so invest in a suitable air conditioner, if it has filters, as these are a breeding ground for mold, make sure they are regularly cleaned. On the opposite vein, buy a dehumidifier for those cooler and watery days. Best of luck, and here’s to a mold free property.