Knowing how to protect yourself and your family from the health risks posed by mold exposure is extremely important. One of the best ways to do this is to determine whether you or those you care about are sensitive individuals. This would be the case if you suffer from asthma, have allergies, or have immune or respiratory deficiencies. If so, you should avoid areas that pose a potential risk---basements, indoor locations that lack ventilation, wooded areas, compost piles, etc.

General Tips for Removing Mold

· Use caution when removing moldy materials, as spores are easily released when moldy material is dried out. Consider wearing a mask or respirator. Respirators can be purchased from local hardware stores. Select one classified for particle removal, sometimes referred to as a N95 or TC-21C particulate respirator. Respirators are not as effective at removing bleach fumes, so minimize your exposure when using bleach or other disinfectants.
· Disinfect and dry areas affected by mold. It is critical to remove any source of moisture before any clean-up efforts. Mold growth will return if the area becomes wet again.
· Bag and dispose any material that has moldy residues, such as rags, paper, leaves, or debris. Hard materials such as glass, plastic, or metal can be kept after they are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
· After thorough cleaning and rinsing, disinfect the area with a solution of 10 percent household bleach (e.g., 1 1/2 cup bleach per gallon of water). Never mix bleach with ammonia - the fumes are toxic. Avoid excessive amounts of runoff or standing bleach. Make sure the working area is well ventilated.
· When using bleach or other disinfectants, work for short time spans, taking periodic breaks in an area with fresh air.
· Make sure the house is well ventilated during and after the clean-up work.
Courtesy of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Outdoors

Clean Roofs and Gutters
One of the places where mold likes to hideout is in blocked gutters or on top of roofs. This is where leaves and other wet debris can become trapped and stagnant, providing a great place for mold to fester and grow. Checking your gutters after heavy rains, or if you have trees, etc. that may be losing their leaves in areas that can clog.

Watch out for Compost Piles
If you have a compost pile, keep it far from the house to prevent mold spores from entering the house via the basement or walls. If you are rearranging the compost pile, make sure you where a protective mask to prevent inhalation of toxic mold that is released into the air.

Sunshine to Reduce External Moisture
Homes that are heavily shaded by large trees or overhangs are more likely to have damp, moldy areas. Sun on the lawn and elsewhere can reduce the likelihood of this. If you have mold allergies, this step is especially important.

Use a Face Mask While Doing Yard Work
When doing yard work, always wear a facemask, especially for tasks such as raking leaves, mowing or digging in the garden. These are the tasks that can stir up mold allergens and cause a reaction. A face mask can keep these allergens from entering your respiratory system.

Indoors

Control Moisture Levels
Keeping moisture levels in check is a great way to prevent mold from growing in the first place. Air conditioning or a dehumidifier can work as an effective check to mold growth. These appliances must be kept clean to avoid contaminating them with mold that can add to the problems for sensitive individuals. They can be cleaned through scrubbing or by spraying them with an aerosol mold remover. The ideal level of humidity inside a home should be between 35 and 40%. Levels above 50% allow molds to grow. Remove or replace previously soaked carpets and upholstery.

Get Rid of it with Bleach
One of the best ways to get rid of mold is to simply treat it like your toughest laundry stains-bleach it out. The ideal solution is one cup of bleach to 10 cups of water (or a cup of bleach in a gallon of water). Scrub those places inside your home where mold exists, or those spots that are hotbeds for mold (basements, shower curtains, bathrooms---fixtures, floors and walls, shower curtains, tile and behind the toilet; window panes, basement walls, floors and ceilings; and around the laundry room).

Clean Your Closets
Mold is often found in shoes or even on clothing. Closets can be a festering ground for mold growth. If asthmatic or allergic reactions do not seem to be getting better, this may be a necessary step. If your closets are carpeted, it may be time to replace them. If mold exposure is unavoidable while cleaning, sensitive people should wear a tight-fitting facemask.

Inspect Appliances
Appliances that have mold inside them can exacerbate sensitized individual’s mold allergies. Proper outdoor ventilation of indoor appliances is especially important for clothes dryer and stoves. Another potential mold spawning ground is the refrigerator drip pan, which can collect much moisture.

Be Careful on Vacations
Vacations can be times when mold allergies or reactions worsen. This is especially true for vacations at the beach, woods, or any place where the accommodations are damp or moist. If you have a cabin that you only visit a few times a year, you should properly clean it before each use.

Water Damage inside your Home
Replace or remove the following items if they have become water logged. (Courtesy of FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency) Porous materials such as ceiling tiles, sheet rock, carpeting, and wood products
· Heavily-molded carpet - (Drying does not remove all of the dead spores.)
· Remove all sheet rock to at least 12 inches above the high-water mark.
· Visually inspect the wall interior and remove any other intrusive molds. (This step may have to be carried out by a licensed contractor.)
· Any insulation that is damp or wet should be replaced with dry insulation.