Mold - How big of an issue is it and how to I get rid of it

MamaLiga · 06-30-2009, 09:29 PM

Hi... so I just read an article about the dangers of mold, and it literally shook me to the core. I have a little bit of noticable mold forming in a few air ducts around my home. I've also noticed that if I leave a drink out, mold will start to grow on it within a few days. I'm a little nervous that I have a mold problem, and I really don't know what to do about it.

I have an air purifier in my house, as well as a few houseplants, which I've read help purify your air.. And I don't have any recurring health issues.. Is this a problem? Am I blowing it out of perspective? What should I do about it?

Any insight would be [highly] appreciated!

ella5 · 07-02-2009, 08:38 AM

[QUOTE=MamaLiga;12169466] I just read an article about the dangers of mold, and it literally shook me to the core. I have a little bit of noticable mold forming in a few air ducts around my home. I've also noticed that if I leave a drink out, mold will start to grow on it within a few days. I'm a little nervous that I have a mold problem, and I really don't know what to do about it.

I have an air purifier in my house, as well as a few houseplants, which I've read help purify your air.. And I don't have any recurring health issues.. Is this a problem? Am I blowing it out of perspective? What should I do about it? Any insight would be [highly] appreciated!QUOTE]
No, you are not blowing it out of perspictive. Be glad you are seeing it now.

I have been totally, permanently disabled by mold. The situation I was in was more extreme than yours, but I didn't live in mine, either. Is your home a rental or do you own? Depending on your answer, my recommendations will be different. But either way, you need more information.
What color(s) are the molds?
What is this "drink" mold grows in after a few days? Is it water, juice, a sugar drink, soda or other, alcohol?
Since mold is growing in a "drink" in a few days, I'd say your problem is at least verging on pretty serious.
Consider a few things: Get some mold testing done. My local Home Depot sells Armour mold test kits, with simple, easy to follow directions. After you see the results of the test, consider sending the plate to the lab for further analysis and to determing the kind of mold.
Houseplants may be contributing the mold problem. Remove them.
When you mop your floors, use vinegar. It will help kill mold on those surfaces, but until the problem is solved, of course it will keep coming back. Clean all hard surfaces with vinegar, and use vinegar in all wash water, both for dishes and for clothes.

Call several air duct cleaning companies to find out HOW they clean the ducts, and what product they use. You need, at the least, that the cleaner enclose the area around the duct, and have the vacuum pull it to the outside, into their container, so the vacuumed up dirt, debris, mold, is gone from the house. Until you get a duct cleaner there, consider spraying the ducts with vinegar. It won't kill all the mold, but will help.

Inside mold can be a serious health problem. Do more research.
Ella5

06-30-2009, 09:29 PM	#1
MamaLiga Junior LCF Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 12 Gallery: MamaLiga	Mold - How big of an issue is it and how to I get rid of it Hi... so I just read an article about the dangers of mold, and it literally shook me to the core. I have a little bit of noticable mold forming in a few air ducts around my home. I've also noticed that if I leave a drink out, mold will start to grow on it within a few days. I'm a little nervous that I have a mold problem, and I really don't know what to do about it. I have an air purifier in my house, as well as a few houseplants, which I've read help purify your air.. And I don't have any recurring health issues.. Is this a problem? Am I blowing it out of perspective? What should I do about it? Any insight would be [highly] appreciated! __________________ Grandma of two, mother of three.. with one more grandbaby on the way. Here to find out how to be healthy so I can see them grow up.

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07-02-2009, 08:38 AM	#2
ella5 Senior LCF Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 609 Gallery: ella5	[QUOTE=MamaLiga;12169466] I just read an article about the dangers of mold, and it literally shook me to the core. I have a little bit of noticable mold forming in a few air ducts around my home. I've also noticed that if I leave a drink out, mold will start to grow on it within a few days. I'm a little nervous that I have a mold problem, and I really don't know what to do about it. I have an air purifier in my house, as well as a few houseplants, which I've read help purify your air.. And I don't have any recurring health issues.. Is this a problem? Am I blowing it out of perspective? What should I do about it? Any insight would be [highly] appreciated!QUOTE] No, you are not blowing it out of perspictive. Be glad you are seeing it now. I have been totally, permanently disabled by mold. The situation I was in was more extreme than yours, but I didn't live in mine, either. Is your home a rental or do you own? Depending on your answer, my recommendations will be different. But either way, you need more information. What color(s) are the molds? What is this "drink" mold grows in after a few days? Is it water, juice, a sugar drink, soda or other, alcohol? Since mold is growing in a "drink" in a few days, I'd say your problem is at least verging on pretty serious. Consider a few things: Get some mold testing done. My local Home Depot sells Armour mold test kits, with simple, easy to follow directions. After you see the results of the test, consider sending the plate to the lab for further analysis and to determing the kind of mold. Houseplants may be contributing the mold problem. Remove them. When you mop your floors, use vinegar. It will help kill mold on those surfaces, but until the problem is solved, of course it will keep coming back. Clean all hard surfaces with vinegar, and use vinegar in all wash water, both for dishes and for clothes. Call several air duct cleaning companies to find out HOW they clean the ducts, and what product they use. You need, at the least, that the cleaner enclose the area around the duct, and have the vacuum pull it to the outside, into their container, so the vacuumed up dirt, debris, mold, is gone from the house. Until you get a duct cleaner there, consider spraying the ducts with vinegar. It won't kill all the mold, but will help. Inside mold can be a serious health problem. Do more research. Ella5