Picture coming home after a long day at work, excited to relax in your cozy space. But as you walk in, you notice a weird smell in the air. You squint and see dark spots on the walls and a damp feeling everywhere.
Your heart sinks – it’s mold. What kills mold spores in the air? That’s the big question on your mind now. Don’t worry; air purifiers with HEPA filters and good ventilation can help.
Let’s check out some easy ways to deal with this problem.
First, Know If Mole Affects Air Quality
Mold is a big worry whether you’re indoors or outdoors. It can damage your home and health and even make the air inside bad to breathe.
Mold spores can float in the air and make people sick, especially if they have allergies. If you don’t deal with mold, it can grow fast and spread everywhere, even in your air ducts.
What are the Signs that Mold is Affecting Your Air Quality?
Some people feel sick when they’re around mold in their homes. It affects everyone differently. If you have allergies or breathing problems, you might feel it more.
Signs of mold in the air can be:
- Sneezing
- Watery eyes
- Headaches
- Coughing
- Feeling irritated
- Trouble breathing
- Mood swings
- Smelling something musty
- Feeling stuffy.
What Kills Mold Spores in the Air?
Mold spores are always around us. They’re super tiny, so we can’t see them, and they can float in the air forever. Even a tiny breeze can carry them into our homes. So, how to remove mold spores from the air? The EPA says we can’t completely get rid of mold spores indoors.
But what if mold spores are making you sick?
While it’s impossible to have zero mold spores, there are ways to lessen how many are in your home’s air.
Use Air Purifiers
Air purifiers are machines that clean the air in your home by removing things like mold spores.
Here’s how they work:
- They pull air into the machine.
- The air passes through filters that catch tiny particles.
- Then, they release clean air back into your room.
To use an air purifier to get rid of mold spores:
- Get one that’s powerful enough for the size of your room.
- Put it where it can suck in dirty air and blow out clean air towards you.
- It might take between 30 minutes and a few hours to make the air clean in the room. It depends on how often the air changes and how much clean air the purifier can deliver.
- Leave it on all the time to keep the air clean. You can turn it down when you don’t need it.
If you’re away for a while, you can turn it off, but remember, mold spores might come back.
There are Different Types of Air Purifiers
- Filters that catch particles (like HEPA filters).
- Filters that use electricity (like Ionizers).
- Filters that remove gases and smells (like Activated Carbon).
- UV lights that kill germs (like UVGI).
- Machines that use ozone to clean the air.
To get rid of mold spores, go for air purifiers with:
- Filters that catch particles.
- Filters that use electricity.
- UV lights.
- Machines that use ozone.
HEPA filters are usually rated MERV 17 or higher. This means they can catch over 99.7% of tiny particles in the air, even those as small as 0.3-1.0 microns.
Some purifiers use a mix of filters and UV lights or ozone to kill mold spores. They might cost more, but they clean the air better.
Use a Dehumidifier
Mold loves wet places. If you make your home less damp, mold won’t grow as easily. Dehumidifiers are machines that take extra moisture out of the air.
Try to keep the humidity in your home between 30% and 50%. This will stop mold from growing and help get rid of any mold spores already there.
Improve Ventilation
Making the airflow better in your home can help if you have mold from too much moisture or visible mold spots.
Here’s how you can do it:
- Open windows for a bit every day to let fresh air in.
- Put a fan by an open window to blow air outside.
- Open doors inside so air can move around.
- Use air conditioning or fans when windows are closed.
- If you have a central air system, keep the fan on all the time. Change the filters every three months.
- Use fans in the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room to suck out moist air.
This should lower the number of mold spores in the air inside and outside, making it safer for you. But just ventilating won’t get rid of all the mold spores. If you’re allergic to mold, using an air purifier would help more.
Natural Solutions
Getting rid of mold spores in the air naturally can make the air inside your home better.
Here are some easy ways to do it:
- Tea tree oil: It’s a natural stuff that can kill mold. Mix a few drops of tea tree oil with water in a spray bottle and then spray it in the air.
- Vinegar: Vinegar is an awesome cleaner that can kill mold. Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle and then spray it in the air.
- Hydrogen peroxide: It’s a natural cleaner that can kill mold. Mix one part hydrogen peroxide with two parts water in a spray bottle and spray it in the air.
These natural ways are great if you like using safe stuff to clean.
But if you have a lot of mold or it’s in hard-to-reach spots, like behind walls, it’s better to get a professional to help. They can safely and effectively remove the mold.
What You Can Spray to Kill Mold in Air Ducts
To kill mold in air ducts, you need a special product made for this job. One good choice is a mold and mildew cleaner approved by the EPA. It usually has bleach or hydrogen peroxide, which can kill mold spores and thus prevent them from growing back.
Another option is an antimicrobial spray. It not only kills mold but also stops other germs from growing. Make sure to pick a product that is safe for air duct mold cleaning and follow the instructions carefully. And wear gloves and a mask for protection.
Check out our insightful blog to learn the reasons why air duct cleaning after renovation is essential.
Remember: Prevention is Key
To stop mold from growing and keep the air clean, it’s best to prevent it from happening in the first place.
Here’s what usually causes indoor mold:
- Leaky pipes
- Roof leaks
- Flooding
- Humidity
- Condensation.
To stop mold, you need to control moisture. Even a little bit of water can make mold grow in your home.
Here’s how to prevent mold:
- Fix any water problems quickly, like leaks or floods. Dry everything within a day.
- Use dehumidifiers to keep the air inside between 30-50% humidity.
- Keep bathrooms and kitchens dry by opening windows and doors and using fans.
- Clean your shower curtains and bathroom tiles often with stuff that kills mold.
- Make sure things like stoves and dryers let moisture out.
- Keep air conditioner drip pans clean and dry.
Visit our informative blog to learn the types of mold in air ducts.
Contact a Pro
If you think there’s mold in the air, it’s important to deal with it quickly to make the air better and stop health problems. While you can try natural ways to get rid of mold, sometimes you need a professional.
At Steam Express, we know how to find and get rid of mold in homes and businesses. Our team has the right tools and knowledge to fix mold problems and make the air cleaner. We’re here to help you feel better and stay healthy.
Visit our informative blog to get the right answer to the question, “Is Air Duct Cleaning Worth It- Pros & Cons Of Air Duct Cleaning?”
Wrapping Up
To sum up, getting rid of mold spores in the air is super important for making your home’s air better and keeping everyone healthy. You can do this by using natural stuff like opening windows and using air purifiers or by getting help from pros if you need it.
Remember to control moisture, keep air flowing, and act fast if you spot mold. So, what kills mold spores in the air? By doing the right things consistently, you can make your home cleaner and safer for you and your family.
FAQs
How to clean mold out of vents?
For visible mold, vacuum with a HEPA filter, and then use a disinfectant solution (like diluted bleach) to scrub the vent. For deep cleaning or extensive mold, consider hiring a professional duct cleaning service.
Can I see mold spores?
Mold spores are microscopic and are not visible to the naked eye. However, you might see visible mold growth if spores land in a damp area and start reproducing.
Does bleach kill mold spores in the air?
Bleach is effective at killing mold on surfaces, but it doesn’t effectively eliminate airborne spores.
Should I open windows to get rid of mold spores?
Yes, opening windows can increase ventilation and help remove some spores, but it’s not a complete solution. Consider air purifiers and dehumidification for better control.
Are there any dangers to using air purifiers with mold spores?
HEPA filters trap spores, so there’s no danger if you replace the filters regularly as recommended.
