Mould produces toxins that can cause chronic and long term health problems, and it’s not just the dark green or black furry stuff that is the problem. Mould can go hidden in walls and ceilings, lurk in gutters and rooftops, and under floorboards, often stemming from past water exposure and damage that has only been cleaned on the surface. Take a look at Western Sydney Weekender, where they posted this information, making reference to our great work here at Wellness Advice Now. Preventing mould problems before they begin after water exposure is critical as mould spores begin to reproduce within the first 48hrs after an incident in the home.
Proper and thorough cleaning and awareness of mould risks can prevent further costly damage to your home, not to mention a lifetime of chronic health issues.
Mould prevention starts immediately.
Ok, let’s say you've come home to find a scenario like your roof leaking from overflowing gutters and a heavy downpour, or the washing machine burst a pipe and flooded your laundry, or maybe you just left a window open, and the rain came in. What steps should you take to resolve this so that it doesn't become an ongoing mould problem from ineffective cleanup?
The first priority is always to dry the area immediately.
Use whatever you have access to :
Towels and heavy duty sponges,
Put on a dehumidifier or if you have a split system airconditioner, put it into "dry mode."
Fans to circulate air and even more effectively, turn on a heater also to dry air
Open windows (provided it’s not raining)
Next clean the area :
Avoid using bleach and chemical products which will only make mould "invisible" and not remove spores.
Instead, use a microfibre cloth and a little dishwashing detergent, Castile or sunlight soap or diluted white vinegar solution
When dry, vacuum the area with an appliance that has a HEPA filter,
Invest in a good quality air purifier to filter airborne spores and toxins (my motto is, "if you don't use a filter, you become a filter !")
Not a time to get too attached to damaged items - throw out what you can.
It is essential to throw out any porous items that were affected and unable to be dried thoroughly within 48 hrs of your clean up activities. This includes things like :
Books, paper and cardboard
Wooden items
Carpets and fabric furnishings
Clothing and shoes
Building materials in walls and ceiling like gyprock and insulation
While often heartbreaking, these belongings will start extensive mould problems for years to come if appropriate measures are not taken. Make sure your insurer replaces damaged items and do not settle for cleaning only.
This type of thorough clean up is vital. There are mould remediation specialists that can be contacted if you need assistance. It needs to be done safely with an understanding of the biohazard that mould can become so that it doesn’t contaminate the rest of your house. A building biologist may be able to assess later if you purchase a home that has had past water damage and remediation was not done correctly. Thorough testing that includes surface swabs and air quality testing by a qualified mould expert is often required.
It is essential to be mindful of taking care of your health if you are involved in cleaning up mould or living around mould and can't remedy it immediately. Depending on the extent and the impact it is having, moving out temporarily until remediation occurs may be necessary.
Be sure to follow these health and safety tips while cleaning :
Always ensure good ventilation
Wear a mask and gloves
Depending on the extent of the situation, full garment covering may be warranted,
If the flooding has been severe and you can not move out, you will need to shut off that part of your home by sealing door frames with plastic and tape and not enter until it can be remedied.
DIY Mould Cleaner - a homemade natural cleaning solution you can try for yourself.
Fill a new clean spray bottle with a combination of :
50% water
50% white vinegar
Add 15 drops of essential oil to each cup of liquid (so if you have a 500ml spray bottle add 30 drops of essential oils). I like Doterra's OnGuard, a premade blend containing orange, cinnamon, clove bud, rosemary and eucalyptus. Use what you have on hand of oils similar to these or a single or combination of any citrus, pine, or tea tree.
If you are concerned about current or previous exposure to mould and preventing health issues that impact your wellbeing and would like further professional guidance on protecting your immune system and maintaining your wellbeing and that of your household, book a time for a FREE Wellness Connection call with me here.
References :
Bijilsma N. Healthy Home Healthy Family. 3rd ed. Warrandyte, Victoria: Australian College of Environmental Studies; 2018.
https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/713421/dm-mould.pdf