Have basketfuls of toys and clothes in the kids’ rooms?
This will make you think twice about everything you have in your home that could be making everyone sick.
With mold becoming a year-round problem in many states, battling this dangerous toxin shouldn’t just be limited to the days when it rains nonstop.
If members of your family are suffering from things such as fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, chronically blocked nose, chronic cough, itchy eyes, sneezing and poor concentration, mold could be the problem.
Rather than wait for it to take over your home – and seriously affect the health of your family – there are easy ways to minimize mold growth just by choosing and removing some belongings that you never thought would make a difference.
Dr Sandeep Gupta, a Sunshine Coast-based integrative GP and leading expert in Australia on mold and biotoxin illness, shares what to ditch ahead of the very wet season ahead.
Books and paper
Avoid any type of clutter like this because dust, dirt and mold go together.
Paper is porous so, mold and bacteria can get into the substance and can’t be cleaned.
Indoor plants
Fake plants aren’t problematic but real ones can create excessive moisture due to the soil.
It’s all about generating less moisture in the home.
Clothing
Moldy clothing should be removed from the home – washing them can contaminate the washing machine and spread it further.
If you can see the mold, that means there’s a large number of spores already in the material.
The way you store clothes also plays an important part.
Unaffected clothes should be stored with plenty of airflow – on hangers is the preferred method compared to stacking or in baskets as space between clothes lessens the chance of mold growth.
If you need to pile clothes on shelves and in baskets, make the piles very small.
Baskets of wet laundry
Does your family pile their wet towels from the shower for days until washing day?
Or do you leave soggy bathers from a day at the beach in a tub in the laundry until there’s enough to put on a cycle?
Bad idea. Wet towels and bathers should be hung out in the sun until they’re dry again or thrown into the wash.
Tea towels should follow the same rule, and throw any out that show signs of mold.
Aquariums
Any body of water increases air moisture, and it’s best to check whether it’s affecting the humidity level in the room.
Rugs
These are porous materials and absorb mold easily, so regularly check underneath them and air them out regularly.
If you develop a mold problem, these are the types of items that need to go.
Kitchen
Chopping boards made of hardwood should be okay but chipboard cabinetry in the kitchen can likely become contaminated.
Furniture
Items made of chipboard are highly susceptible to mold as it’s like a sponge for water.
Spend the extra cash to get products made of hardwood, plastic or metal.
Storage
Opt for plastic or metal instead of porous materials like jute, rattan, bamboo and fabric baskets.
Plastic and metal can be wiped off, while the others can’t.
Toys
Fabric ones are the most porous to mold.
Plastic (not used with water), hardwood and metal toys are less of a problem.
Chemicals
Many people who are sensitive to mold are also chemical sensitive.
Check your personal care products and choose natural options without aluminum and remove those that are artificially fragranced and contain toxic ingredients.
Split system air conditioner
Don’t throw it out but it’s important to have it cleaned and serviced.
Even if it’s not used regularly, mold can easily develop in humid conditions.
Ducted air conditioning is less susceptible to mold. Mold filters for both options can be purchased.
Clove oil
Yes, that’s right – cleaning with clove oil releases spores and particles from itself and can make things worse.
Instead, remove the mold instead of trying to kill it.
If there is mold on a windowsill for example, use a cloth and a small amount of washing detergent and try to take it away in one go rather than just spraying things on it.
Read the full article here
