Brightly Green: Green Cleaning for Indoor Allergies Part Two: Mold and Mildew

Thursday, August 6, 2015

Green Cleaning for Indoor Allergies Part Two: Mold and Mildew

The emphasis on allergies often is placed on what we encounter out-of-doors, however, many people suffer from allergies within their own homes. Part Two of our series sets our focus on mold/mildew. Keep reading for solutions to eliminate this major allergy trigger in an eco-friendly, and effective way.

What are the differences between mold and mildew?

They both are types of fungi. Mildew is often the pre-cursor to mold (mold in its early stage). Mold is often black or green in color whereas mildew is often seen as white or gray. Mold is typically "fuzzy" in appearance and mildew is powdery and flat-lying in appearance.

Health effects of mold/mildew:

Both mold and mildew can cause respiratory problems and headaches. Mold tends to cause more intense health reactions and allergy reactions than mildew, including sore throat and sinus infections.

Mold/Mildew's hangout places:

Damp Spaces: Typically bathrooms and basements are the prime hangout places for mold/mildew. In bathrooms the favorite place is in the tub, where shower walls meet tub. If your bathroom is especially damp, you can even find mold growing on the bathroom walls.

On windows and windowsills. Moist areas tend to be where mold grows; therefore, eliminating moisture is a key to prevention and keeping your home green cleaned will inhibit mold reproduction.

How to Eliminate Mold/Mildew:

REDUCE MOISTURE LEVELS: Keep indoor moisture levels down: A home kept at 55% or less humidity would be best at reducing molds ability to grow. Open your bathroom window a little when showering or turn on the bathroom vent.

One way to bring the moisture levels down throughout the home is to run the A/C for about four hours per day. If you have a basement, a good investment would be to purchase a dehumidifier. Get one with an automatic sensor in which you can regulate the percentage of humidity you want in the space and it will automatically turn off at the point. Also important is to purchase one that will shut off automatically when the water tank is full.

KEEP SURFACES GREEN CLEANED: Mold/mildew cannot breed on clean surfaces.

On windows use Brightly Green Window Cleaner, on windowsills clean with Brightly Green Multi-Purpose Cleaner.

In the bathroom: Daily use Brightly Green Daily Shower Cleaner on shower walls and shower doors and on the edges of the tub where the tub and shower meet. Allow Brightly Green Daily Shower Cleaner to self-clean shower walls. Wipe down top edges of the tub with a wash cloth before exiting tub to wipe away excess water and keep soap scum from developing. Soap scum is food for mold and mildew! For vinyl shower curtains, spray them with Brightly Green Daily Shower Cleaner. On fabric shower curtains—launder them weekly with Brightly Green Laundry Wash.

In the kitchen: Daily wipe down countertops and sink area with Brightly Green Bathroom Cleaner or Brightly Green Granite and Tile Cleaner.

Windows and windowsills: Weekly clean windows with Brightly Green Window Cleaner. Clean windowsills and window tracks with Brightly Green Multi-Purpose Cleaner.

Creating and keeping up on a green cleaning routine reduce allergies and will help reduce the growth and reproduction of mold and mildew in your home and fight indoor allergies! In addition, your family's overall health will improve as you take the proper steps to keep your home safe, and non-toxic cleaned. Missed Part One of our series on Indoor Allergies: Dust Mites? Click link to read and learn.