………………Mold, mold, mold…
it’s everywhere!
By the time you actually see the “fuzzy stuff” growing, mold spores are already hard at work. Since mold thrives in damp, dark spaces, it can easily grow indoors unnoticed. Ignoring the signs of mold will only make things worse. The best way to stop mold from growing indoors is to stay proactive in the fight against mold.
If mold is a natural part of the environment, how can you stop mold from growing indoors?
The most effective approach is preventing mold before it becomes a problem. Mold thrives in the presence of moisture, so remove the excess water to help prevent mold growth. The following tips will help you to manage moisture indoors, and help you prevent and control mold.
How to Prevent Mold
- Install a Tankless Dehumidification System
- Identify and Address Problem Areas
- Clean Spills and Wet Spots Immediately
- Improve Airflow Indoors
- Dry Items that will be Stored
- Avoid Hang Drying Clothes Inside
- Clean with Products that Prohibit Mold Growth
- Keep Mold off House Plants
- Direct Rainwater Away from Property
Moisture removal is the key to mold prevention.
How to Prevent Mold
1. Install a Tankless Dehumidification System
A tankless dehumidifier pulls moisture from the air, and automatically drains collected condensate– say goodbye to the days of emptying an overflowing reservoir tank. Maintaining indoor humidity levels below 60% will help you prevent and control mold growth in your property, apartment, condominium, and more.
2. Identify and Address Problem Areas
Be aware of potential problems in your home. Is there a water stain on the ceiling from a possible leak? Do you notice a musty odor underneath the bathroom sink? Finding and fixing potential problems, such as leaks, and damaged pipes will help prevent unwanted moisture from entering your property. Make sure to periodically check cabinets and corners for unwanted moisture and mold growth.
3. Clean Spills and Wet Spots Immediately
Mold needs moisture to grow, promptly drying spills and picking up wet towels after showers will help to stop moisture from changing to water vapor and increasing indoor humidity. Let’s face it, towels are supposed to get wet, but when they stay wet bundled in a hamper mold will grow.
4. Improve Indoor Airflow
Moisture is generated inside your home every day, from cooking to cleaning, to breathing and more. If there is not a way for moisture to escape it will remain trapped, increasing indoor relative humidity. Utilizing exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens offers moisture a direct route outside.
5. Dry Items that will be Stored
After a weekend at the beach or a camping trip, cleaning off sand, salt and dirt is pretty much required. Before storing clean items make sure everything has completely dried because mold spores thrive in the damp and dark conditions, typical of storage spaces.
6. Avoid Hang Drying Clothes Inside
A typical load of laundry, weighing about 9 lbs., will add about 4 pints of water to your home, increasing indoor humidity by about 30 percent.1 Mechanical tumble dryers can quickly dry loads of laundry, just be sure that the dryer exhaust fan is directed outside for optimal mold prevention.
7. Clean with Products that Prohibit Mold Growth
Bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms have the highest potential for mildew and mold growth because of the amount of moisture in these areas. Minimizing moisture with regular cleaning can limit the number of mold spores and therefore help prevent mold growth.
8. Keep Mold off House Plants
Incorporating plants into your home can help to remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and improve indoor air quality (IAQ), but saturated soil is a breeding ground for mold that can easily spread. Be sure to check that top of soil is dry before watering houseplants since mold typically occurs with plants when the soil is always damp.
9. Direct Water Outside Away from Property
Rainwater and moisture can collect on rooftops and around foundations. Keeping gutters clean, using rocks to help with drainage, or sloping the foundation can help prevent water from collecting and reduce the moisture that seeps inside.
How you can benefit from a Tankless Dehumidification System
Keeping indoor relative humidity below 60% year-round helps prevent mold spores from growing and helps increase the comfort of your home. These mold prevention tips can help reduce moisture in your home. Staying vigilant is your best defense, find and remove unwanted moisture immediately. It is impossible to make the indoors mold-free, but you can make it mold-resistant.
As the pioneers of built-in humidity removal systems, the IW25-4 IN Wall or ON Wall Dehumidifier help manage indoor moisture and helps reduce the risks associated with mold growth. The Innovative Dehumidifier Systems team takes pride in finding the best fit for the IW25-4 Dehumidifier. Our hands-free and tankless dehumidifier includes hands-on Customer Service.
Where to Install?
The IW25-4 was designed for versatile installation. The ENERGY STAR® Certified IN Wall / ON Wall Dehumidifier easily installs directly through interior walls or mounts directly on wall.
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