Keeping your home closed up helps you stay warm when the temperature drops. The problem is that it also creates the perfect environment for mold to flourish in. If you want to be comfortable and prevent airborne contaminants that will affect you now and in the future, you need to know how to prevent mold growth. Here’s how to keep mold from growing indoors during the winter months.
Invest in a Dehumidifier
A dehumidifier is a handy little gadget that helps you reduce the moisture level in your home. Buying one or several and placing them in each of your rooms will help you control your home’s humidity and reduce the likelihood of moisture buildup and mold growth. Just make sure to empty them regularly. Otherwise, you’ll end up with fully configured devices that won’t perform the job correctly.
Improve Ventilation and Airflow
When moisture has nowhere to go, it accumulates and supports mold growth. This is especially prevalent in areas like your bathrooms. Make sure to turn on exhaust fans when you’re using the shower or doing other moisture-producing activities, such as cooking. If your fans aren’t powerful enough, consider upgrading to stronger fans to improve ventilation.
Another great way to improve airflow is to set up fans strategically throughout your home. While you may not want air blowing on you during the winter, it’s better than allowing mold to grow throughout your home or having to open up your windows to let fresh air in.
Focus on Keeping Things Clean and Dry
Cleaning your home and wiping down moist areas are both strong ways to reduce the likelihood of mold growth. This includes areas like the kitchen and bathroom, as well as places where condensation tends to build up, such as the windows. If you can, you may even want to consider replacing carpet with hardwood floors. Carpets offer the perfect place for mold to grow, and they can be hard to dry in the winter. If you still want something soft underfoot, you can replace the carpeted areas with washable, dryable rugs.
Inspect Your Property for Leaks and Other Issues
Mold growth doesn’t just come from daily activities. If there are leaky pipes or other areas that introduce moisture into your home, mold growth is inevitable. Inspect your home annually before winter to ensure your home isn’t the problem. If there is a problem, you’ll be able to fix it before winter.
Preventing mold is as easy as using the right tools and cleaning strategies, improving airflow and ventilation, and regularly inspecting the home for problem areas. However, once mold has made a home in your own, you need to eliminate it promptly. AirCare Environmental Services in Canton, MA, offers mold remediation services you can always rely on. Get in touch with us today!
