Problems with mould and mildew growing on surfaces in homes are far more common than you could ever imagine, for this to happen there is usually constant exposure to excess moisture or wet. Mold and mildew are minute fungi which will flourish and grow in places with high humidity levels or where there is an excess of moisture. For a great many home owners mold is a constant nightmare which is problematic all year round because of high humidity in summer and condensation in the winter due to low temperatures. Mold and mildew tend to grow on cellulose based materials, like wood, cotton and paper. Protein materials like leather, wool and silk are also very susceptible because these, like cellulose based materials provide a good food source for the mold - synthetic materials are largely unaffected.

Mold will attack carpets, rugs, shower curtains, walls and ceilings - any natural material in your home. Mold and mildew spores are extremely hardy and can stay dormant for prolonged periods of time. When the moisture in your home rises to a suitable level (usually above 55%) the mold spores will begin to germinate and grow. Not only will they cause ugly blackish stains and an unpleasant musty smell but they are capable of actually eating into fabrics etc. and destroying them completely. Mold treatment needs to be carried out as soon as you notice the first signs of a problem.

The best mold treatment of course is no mold treatment! Prevention is always better. Here are a few tips to help you prevent mold growing in your home.

1. Good housekeeping - this plays an essential part - dirt, grease and grim provide a food source for mold - remove it and the mold cannot survive.

2. Building maintenance - regular checks for anything which may allow water to seep into your home like dripping pipes, blocked gutters, cracked outer walls - all of these will contribute to continually damp conditions which will support mold growth

3. Do not leave dirty and wet laundry sitting around in your home - store it in a laundry basket and do the laundry regularly it only takes a day or two for mold to begin to appear.

4. Wax acts as a good barrier on leather items. It helps stop moisture getting into the leather and will protect it against mold spores. Alternatively you could use a commercial spray.

5. Leave your shower curtain open to allow it to dry thoroughly after use.

6. Good ventilation is vital - Open windows, use an electric fan etc. anything keep air circulating. Stagnant, moist air is mold heaven!

7. If you have a problem with moisture or condensation in closets and cupboards, storing clothing and other items with moisture inhibitors is a good way to prevent mildew forming. If the weather is favourable, hang your garments outside in the sunshine every now and then to air.

8. Possibly the most important tip is to ensure that any problems which are found to be the root cause of dampness and excess moisture in your home such as leaking water pipes etc. must be fixed immediately and the affected room dried out. You may want to consider using a dehumidifier for fast results or absorbent silica or you could merely open the windows. Remember, it is important to reduce moisture levels as quickly as possible.

9. Leave your closet and cupboard doors open every now and then to let air circulate and remember, clothes which are not completely dry should not be put in

the closet!

There are different types of Mold treatment for different types of materials and items. Here are a few tips:

Fabrics and Clothes:

You should begin mold treatment as soon as you find you have a problem. The first thing to do is brush the item and remove as much mold as possible - do this outside to prevent mold spores spreading throughout your home. Launder the item using a laundry detergent and where possible allow to dry outside in the sunshine. There are organic detergents available specifically for this purpose one being Molergent. Moldergent is a combined mold treatment and laundry detergent which is guaranteed not it irritate sensitive skin. It has been found to be highly effective.

There are of course, alternatives you can try - you may already have these items at home. Lemon juice and salt is the first one. Apply these to the affected fabric and allow to dry in the sun. Chlorine bleach is an effective method also. Dilute 2 tablespoons in around a quart of warm water and leave the stain to soak in the solution for between 5 and 15 minutes, rinse and dry. The biggest problem with using bleach is that it should not be used on wool or silk items and it can remove the colour from coloured fabrics so great care has to taken if you decide to use this option.

Carpets, Rugs, Upholstery and Mattresses.

Mold treatment for soft furnishings and upholstery is not always easy. However, you may want to consider trying these. The first step is the same no matter which mold treatment you use. Take the item outside and brush loose off any loose mold dust, using a vacuum cleaner suck up as much of the dust as possible. Remember - mold dust can be toxic so be sure to wear protective items such as masks,goggles etc. Secondly allow the item to dry out thoroughly ideally outside in the sun but if this is not an option you could use a heater of some sort or a dehumidifier, these are very effective for this type of task.

When dealing with a moldy mattresses or upholstery a good mold treatment to try is a cloth soaked in an alcohol solution. Wipe the area of mold then allow to dry thoroughly. Again, if at all possible put the item outside in the sun but a heater or dehumidifier will do the job. If your piece of upholstery is particularly badly affected the only truly effective mold treatment to consider is fumigation which will have to be professionally done. In such a case unless the piece is particularly special or valuable you may be as cheap to discard it and buy new.

For carpets and rugs use a carpet shampooing machine with a detergent like molderizer for large surfaces or Molderizer and damp cloth to treat the affected area if it is fairly small. Steam cleaners can also be very effective.

Molderizer is a detergent which is suitable for use on all of these items. It is a totally organic product which works by changing the DNA make up of the mold. It is completely safe to use around children and pets and leaves a clean, fresh scent. You will not find any toxic chemicals at here!

Wood.

If you have wooden surfaces which have not been treated or painted in any way you have a greatly increased risk of mold and mildew forming if the surface is becomes wet or damp for prolonged periods. Using enamel or oil resin paints should give the wood resistance.

The best mold treatment for wood is to scrub the area using washing soda or a commercial detergent like Molderizer. It is vital that the area is dried out as quickly as possible - again a dehumidifier or heater will do this if the weather is not favourable to allow the wooden item to be moved outside or windows opened - and then paint or treat it as soon as is practical. You may consider spraying the area with a protective substance like Safe Shield which will act as a block and will prevent mold spores germinating in the same area in future. If your wood which is very badly affected by mold it is probably best to remove it and have it replaced with new.