Go Away Rain, and Take the Mold with You!

With all the rain that we’ve had here in North Georgia it’s a wonder that we’re not covered with mold.  I found some information about research done at the University of Florida that indicates that while mold can occur in almost every room in the house, bathrooms, closets and bedrooms are the three areas that usually have the most problems.

Here are some tips to control moisture in these three hot spots:

Bathrooms:  Signs that indicate you have a moisture problem in the bathroom include peeling paint or wallpaper, rotting windowsills, curling flooring, and condensation on walls or toilets.  It’s essential to keep your bathroom clean to avoid mold, but even tiny amounts of water can support mildew growth.

• Get water off the walls and doors of your shower by using a window squeegee.  It only takes a minute after your shower to scrape off excess water into the drain.
• Use the exhaust fan to vent out humid air during and after your showers. You should allow the fan to run for about ten to fifteen minutes after you finish.  Make sure to turn it off after that time, otherwise you’ll be bringing too much outside air into the rest of the house. Open the windows only if the air outside is dry.
• If you have an ongoing mildew problem, you may want to remove wet towels from the bathroom, and take them into a better ventilated room to dry.
• Try to use cooler water for showers, so that less moisture gets into the air.

Closets:  Moisture is hard to remove from closets.  Anything damp put into your closet (like shoes or outerwear), can add to moisture problems and encourage mold growth.

• If you have a linen closet in the bathroom, keep the door closed when shower moisture is present.
• Open shelving and louvered doors provide more air movement and will keep a closet drier. If you have a solid door to your closet, keep the doors open if it has a musty smell.
• Keep items off the floor as much as possible as moisture can be trapped underneath.
• You can purchase products like DampRid at places like Wal-Mart.   However, if the rest of your house is humid they will be of little use.   Mold thrives in temperatures between 77°F and 86°F, so you need to be sure to use your air conditioner in the summer.

Bedrooms:  Many of us like to sleep with the windows open, but when the humidity is high, like it has been for us, too much moisture can come in.

• Don’t open windows unless the outside air is dry.
• If you have a ceiling fan, it will help keep air circulating in the bedroom.
• If you are using your air conditioner, but there is no return duct, keep the door ajar at night.

Marie Dinsmore, Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist