A mould infestation is a health hazard that can ruin your home and cost you heaps of money in repairs and replacements. To ensure that your home is a mould-free zone, you need to learn how to identify different types of mould as to choose the best method to clean and deal with infestations.

Why Is Mould a Problem?

Mould at home can cause serious health problems such as asthma, allergies, and respiratory problems and infections. Entering the airways, spores and fragments may cause throat irritation and coughing, chest tightness, wheezing, and nasal congestion. Some people also develop chronic and severe conditions such as blood and immune disorders, pulmonary bleeding, and cancer. Reports by the World Health Organization reveal that mould and dampness are responsible for some 300 million children developing asthma worldwide. Some groups of people are at a higher risk, including chemotherapy patients and other people with weakened immune systems, persons with respiratory and skin problems, the elderly, and children and babies.

How to Identify Mould?

Given the sheer variety of mould types that develop and thrive indoors, it may be a good idea to call professional end of tenancy cleaners for help and advice. If you wish to learn how to remove mould by yourself, here are some common types that can be found at home. Alternaria is an allergenic variety that typically grows below leaking sinks and in bathtubs and showers. It has brown or dark green hairs and a velvety texture and causes respiratory problems. Acremonium is another variety that thrives in humid climates and homes with condensation from drain pans, cooling coils, and humidifiers. It is associated with health problems such as severe skin infections, pneumonia, peritonitis, osteomyelitis, and arthritis. The main problem with this variety is that it is difficult to identify and locate.

It often grows in insulation and drywall and can be small and colorless. Colonies can be also orange, pink, white, and gray-colored and develop in cellulose, soil, dead plants, and even in food. Aspergillus is yet another variety that grows in homes and can be toxic. Some strains can cause serious health conditions in persons with asthma, respiratory problems, and weakened immune systems. Symptoms include fatigue, weight loss, shortness of breath, wheezing, and joint and chest pain. Aspergillus colonies appear in different colors and may be hard to identify as there are some 180 varieties. If you are unsure whether you are dealing with this type of mould, it pays to contact professional cleaning services.

Aureobasidium is a fourth variety that typically grows on wooden and painted surfaces and behind wallpaper. It is usually black, brown, or pink in color. This allergenic variety is associated with serious health problems such as humidifier fever, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, hay fever, and asthma.

Aureobasidium proliferates in moist environments such as laundry rooms, basements, attics, and bathrooms. Finally, Chaetomium is another common variety that grows in damp and water-damaged premises where humidity is high. It is black, brown, grey, or white in color and causes health conditions such as nail and skin infections, permanent neurological damage, and brain abscess, among others.

How to Remove Mould?

The right method and cleaning formula depend on the type of mould but here are some easy tricks to try. A word of caution – only try to remove mould by yourself if you are completely sure that it is a harmless variety.

First make sure that you have gloves, goggles, and respirators and put on old shoes and clothes that you are willing to throw away. Use a garden sprayer to moisten mould and prevent spores from spreading. The next step is to prepare a solution by mixing water and chlorine bleach in a 3:1 ratio. Another option is to use a cleaning detergent that contains bleach. Scrub the affected area by using a stiff-bristled brush, rinse well, and let it dry. To prevent mould from re-appearing, you can either use an anti-mildew paint or anti-microbial spray.

Another way to remove mould is to prepare a removal spray by pouring ¼ cup of white vinegar and 2 tablespoons of borax into 2 cups of hot water. Stir well to make sure that borax dissolves completely. Then use a spray bottle to spray the mix on tiles or painted walls. Wipe after scrubbing thoroughly. Then spray the surface again, let it sit for about 8 – 10 minutes, and wipe with a dry cloth. For stubborn mould that is hard to remove, you can use a solution made of 2 cups of warm water and ¼ cup of bleach. Since you are using bleach, make sure there is enough air coming in. Then pour water and bleach into a spray bottle and mix. Spray on the affected area, scrub thoroughly to remove mould, and wipe clean. If you notice any mould after scrubbing, spray once again, let it sit for another 10 – 15 minutes, and scrub. If this doesn’t work, you may again contact local cleaners for professional help and advice.

How to Prevent Mould from Growing?

It is important to ensure adequate ventilation, especially in humid premises such as kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements. Keep them as dry as possible. Household activities such as doing your laundry, taking a shower, or preparing dinner often invite mould. Adequate ventilation keeps mould from growing in premises that are prone to wetness. If you notice any leaks around the house, call a plumber to fix them as soon as you can.

If you are renovating, then you may use moisture-resistant drywall in kitchens, basements, and bathrooms.More about the different type of efficient cleaning, you can find here. Standard drywall is harder to rid of mould and is also more susceptible, which often results in costly repairs.

We all know that mould can be a serious problem which can ruin health and should be dealt with as soon as discovered. Knowing how to identify different types of mould is important as you can try treat harmless varieties by yourself and call a professional home cleaning company to help you with toxic and allergenic varieties.