How to Check Your Home for Mold

Mold in the home can cause all sorts of health issues, from coughing and wheezing to skin and eye irritation. If you already have respiratory problems like lung disease or asthma, mold can make them even worse. To ensure that your family, pets, and home stay safe, here are a few places that you should check for mold in your home.

Checking For Mold In the Bathroom

Bathrooms are one of the most mold-attracting locations in the home. With all the moisture and heat, bathrooms provide an ideal environment for mold to thrive. Here’s where to look in the bathroom for mold:

• Shower and Tub – Because of the fairly regular use it sees, the bathing/showering area of the bathroom is most likely to grow mold. You’ll see it easily on the tiles, but don’t forget to check plastic bottles or other untouched toiletries.
• Walls and Floor – Even if you don’t see any mold on the surfaces in your bathroom, that doesn’t mean it isn’t lurking behind or underneath. If you have any cracks in the ceiling, walls, or floors, check here for mold growth.
• Sink and Accessories – When was the last time you washed out your toothbrush holder? If you can’t remember, you need to have a look for mold. The same goes for your soap dish and any other items that stay on your sink.
• Toilets – You probably clean the inside and seat of your toilet regularly, but how about behind the toilet or inside the tank? Probably not as often, right? Keep in mind that anywhere that stays wet and not cleaned is prime real estate for mold spores to thrive.

Checking for Mold In the Kitchen

With bits of food hiding under cabinets and water coming from the sink and fridge, mold has many areas to grow in a kitchen. When doing your mold checks, make sure to inspect the following areas:

• Food Storage Areas – This includes both the pantry and the fridge. Anywhere that contains organic matter is likely to sprout unsavory invaders like mold over time. Clean both areas regularly and keep an eye out for expired items.
• The Sink – As the hub for all things dirty in the kitchen, your sink can easily get moldy. Dishes need to be cleaned quickly. Otherwise, the leftover rotting food and wet conditions of the sink will easily allow for mold growth. The fact that it’s always at least damp means that dishes, dishrags, and sponges are ripe for mold. Don’t forget to look under the sink, since any small leaks can create a mold-friendly environment.
• Appliances – Microwaves, ovens, and stoves experience a lot of food spills and splashes. Clean up immediately after cooking to prevent mold from taking hold.

Checking For Mold In Living Rooms and Bedrooms

These are the rooms where you probably spend most of your time, but even still, you may not have spotted mold growth. Even if you haven’t, performing a quick check in the following places will ensure that you stay mold-free.

• Sofas and Beds – If your geographic area experiences high heat and humidity, check the places where people sit and sleep. Any moisture (from sweat or ambient humidity) can encourage mold, especially if there isn’t much airflow. Try airing out couch cushions and mattresses regularly.
• Window Areas – Windows trap a lot of moisture before it enters your home and collects condensation from inside. Check windowsills and curtains for any suspicious growth.
• Heating and Cooling Areas – This includes air vents and fireplaces. If you have a fireplace, it may not be in use for much of the year which means mold spores won’t be disturbed. Like fireplaces, vents are dark and damp when not being used, so check these nooks for mold.

If you need help with mold remediation, contact ECS Carpet Cleaners for mold care in Woburn and Arlington Massachusetts.