MOLD
by Mark Tarses
Mold is a very common problem here in the San Francisco Bay Area, especially in the rainy season. Mold is not dirt. It is a living organism. Mold produces stains on walls and clothes. Yes, mold can be unhealthy; however, most mold is harmless, even when it smells bad or makes ugly stains on your walls. There are a lot of myths about mold. First of all, there is no such thing as a 'mold-free' apartment. Mold is everywhere. It is in every room in your house. It is in your car, it is in your clothes, it is in your drawers. There is mold in every restaurant and coffee shop that you have ever visited. If you have cheese in your refrigerator, then there is mold in your refrigerator because that is how they turn milk into cheese. Mold is everywhere. You can even find mold in hospital operating rooms.
The most important thing to remember about mold is that mold needs moisture and light. That is why most people get mold on their walls during the winter rainy season. To reduce or kill mold, you must address the conditions that allow mildew to grow.
1. Let in fresh air, particularly in high humidity areas, such as the bathroom and kitchen. Keep a window ajar or use an exhaust fan, if there is one, to allow the air to circulate.
2. Let in sunlight. Don't keep your window shades closed all the time. There are many unhealthy micro-organisms in addition to mold that thrive in dark places that are killed by sunlight. This explains why green mold grows on the north side of trees but not on the south side. Living in a perpetually dark room is very unhealthy. This is why it is illegal in California to use a room without a window or skylight as a bedroom.
3. Don't overheat your house.
4. Mold and mildew can grow quickly in wet clothes and towels. Don't let wet clothes or towels sit on the floor or in a pile. Wash and dry wet clothes and towels frequently.
Mold Remover. There are many mold removal products sold in supermarkets and drug stores. Make sure that the product says that it kills mold. Be sure that you are not buying soap scum remover, which is often placed next to the mold remover in stores and often comes in very similar containers. Read the label. To remove mold on a bathroom ceiling, use a sponge mop on a stick. That way, you can clean the ceiling without getting on a ladder.
Bleach. Don't use bleach to remove mold or mildew. While bleach will kill mold, it is much less effective in preventing mold from returning than mold remover. Bleach may damage your walls, and your room will smell like an over-chlorinated swimming pool when you are done.
