5 SIMPLE WAYS TO REDUCE MOLD EXPOSURE IN YOUR HOME

Mold exposure can wreak havoc on your health, especially when it happens repeatedly over months or years.

Maybe you have noticed a bit of mold in a bathroom or kitchen, or smell a musty odor somewhere in your home? Or perhaps you have some mystery illness symptoms that flare up from time and you suspect mold could be the culprit, but you’ve never actually seen any obvious issues.

Determining if you have mold in your home can be a bit of a process, which we will cover in the next blog post. If your health is impacted negatively, it’s in your best interest to schedule a professional mold inspection and remediation as soon as possible.

But what can you do to manage the risk in the meantime? I know how it feels to want to escape from that sort of environment, but the process can take time and resources, or may not be practical for you at all depending on your living situation. Ignoring the problem won’t make it go away, so what else can you do?

Here are 5 simple ways to reduce exposure to mold in your home:

1. Reduce dust

   Mold, whether visible or hidden, releases spores & fragments that attach to dust particles floating in the air or settled on surfaces. When that dust is disturbed it creates a dust cloud that can then be breathed in. So by keeping dust at bay, you are also reducing the amount of mold spores in the environment. According to mold illness experts, using a HEPA vacuum is a key step in this process, as well as damp wiping of surfaces using a microfiber cloth (5 drops dish soap to 1 quart water) followed by dry wiping of surfaces using an unscented Swiffer cloth.

   Doing these simple cleaning steps A FEW times per week can make a big difference!

2. Filter the air

   Use a high-grade air purifier to remove additional dust particles. Portable air purifiers can be a cost-effective solution and there are many options available. Personally I have been using BlueAir purifiers in the affected rooms. Other brands recommend by the experts at MoldFinders are Intellipure, IQ Air, or Air Doctor. If you have a whole-home HVAC system, ensure that your filters are HEPA grade and have been changed according the frequency recommended by the manufacturer.

   Remember, with air purifiers you want to focus on reducing airborne dust particles. It is not realistic to expect any purifier to remove the mold itself.

3. LET IN FRESH AIR

   Allowing fresh oxygen to flow into your home can dilute the air, which is a good thing when airborne mold particles are present. Obviously having the windows open can allow more dust and allergens to enter the space, too, so keeping up with regular vacuuming and air filtration is essential. If you live in a heavily polluted area, or a very humid area, this can present additional challenges so consider these factors when deciding how long to keep the windows open each day.

4. DIFFUSE ESSENTIAL OILS

   Certain high-grade essential oils contain chemical compounds which are believed to disrupt the fungal cell membranes of mold. You might also enjoy the aromatherapeutic effects which can help ease headaches, soothe anxiety, and promote a sense of well being. The quality and sourcing of the oils is critical to efficacy, which is why I choose doTERRA essential oils.

   Based on studies published in the International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health, here are 5 essential oils that may kill mold:

   1. Clove oil

   2. Tea tree oil

   3. Lavender oil

   4. Eucalyptus oil

   5. Citrus oil

   Not all brands of essential oils are effective so be sure to source high quality products. If you (or others) are sensitive to scents, you may want to limit usage of essential oils or skip this step entirely.

   SEND ME A MESSAGE if you would like support with selectinG and ordering doterra essential oils and/or diffusers

5. INDOOR PLANTS

   Having 1-2 indoor plants per room can not only increase the oxygen in your home, but certain plants are known to reduce air pollutants and improve indoor air quality. How cool is that?! Some varieties that are easy to care for and easy to source are:

   1. Aloe Vera

   2. English Ivy

   3. Snake plant

   4. Spider plant

   5. Peace lily

   6. Palm plants

   7. Boston fern

   What other steps have you taken to reduce exposure to mold and improve indoor air quality? Let me know in the comments or send me a message! I would love to hear from you.

   XOXO

   Liz