My husband and I have spent a lot of time consulting with an architect. After living in our cramped, starter home for the past 11 years, we were finally ready to make some needed changes to it. We have added an extra 600 square feet of space onto our house. Before the construction began, we finalized the plans for our new heating and air conditioning unit with our HVAC contractor. Because our home was going to be substantially bigger than it is now, we purchased a larger HVAC system. We also installed a new, digital thermostat inside my home. On this blog, I hope you will discover the best types of HVAC units to buy for mid-size homes. Enjoy!
Many people don't realize some of their daily actions are the equivalent of sending out an invitation for mold spores to come on inside of their home. Your clothing, for example, can be a mold spore magnet. This is especially true when your clothing accumulates sweat, food stains, body oils, and so many other substances daily.
If you take the clothing off and they still contain any moisture – they become a breeding ground for mold. The unfortunate truth is the problem doesn't stop there. There are all sorts of laundry mistakes the average homeowner makes, which leads to a serious mold problem.
The Process
Wet towels should never be placed in the laundry hamper. You already have a mixture of sweaty and soiled clothes in there waiting for a bit of moisture. You should hang the towel or wet rag over the shower curtain or a chair overnight or until it feels dry.
The Clothing Hamper
If you leave the wet items in the basket, you are inviting mold to the hamper. The hamper can also be a breeding ground once it is moist. Once the clothes have mold on them, not only will they have a bad odor, the smell doesn't go away even after several washings. The smell can even spread to the rest of your clothing.
The Washing Procedure
You can try using bleach, baking soda, and vinegar to eliminate the mold from the clothes. Using hot water is the key to killing the spores and allergens as well.
After the Laundering
Many people don't realize that drying clothes on an inside clothes rack can create indoor pollution. It is hard to believe a typical home already holds approximately 1 to 2.5 gallons of water. When you add the clothes rack, you can increase that figure by half a gallon.
Clean the Washer and Dryer
You need to keep the tubs, dispensers, and gaskets clean in the washer and dryer to prevent mold. A mixture of one cup of baking soda, one cup of bleach, and half a cup of a powdered dishwasher detergent can help clean the washer. Wipe down the dryer while you are cleaning the washer as well.
The Closet
Be sure the clothes are completely dry before you place them in the closet. You also need to be sure the closet doesn't have any moisture issues. If it is next to a bathroom, and you don't have adequate insulation, you could have a problem with mold. Be sure you don't put wet shoes or raincoats in the closet area.
Mold can thrive anywhere and can remain dormant until you provide an appropriate amount of moisture for it to grow. Twenty-million spores can live in a space the size of a postage stamp. Health issues can include shortness of breath, muscle and joint pain, depression, anxiety, and many others.
These tips should prevent mold buildup in your home's laundry spaces. As stated by Benjamin Franklin, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
If you do find mold in your home, contact a house mold removal company, such as Advanced Air Quality Services, as soon as you can to avoid the negative health effects.
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