Mold Removal Products Kill Your Health, Not Mold

Miriam Gubovicova
Author: Miriam Gubovicova
Mold Removal Products Kill Your Health, Not Mold
When dealing with mold, it’s tempting to use a product that promises fast and effective action. But most mold removal products on the shelves are harmful to your health just as much as the mold is.

Have you ever considered if something in your home is the hidden culprit behind your health issues? Invisible yet ever-present, mold could be quietly harming your health. Right now, mold spores hidden from the human eye, could be floating in the air around you, waiting for the right conditions to propagate.

Mold is not simply an aesthetic issue. It is potentially dangerous and can cause a multitude of health problems, varying from mild to severe. If left unchecked, some molds can even unleash toxins (mycotoxins) that pose a serious threat to health. Inhalation and contact can lead to an array of symptoms such as chronic digestive issues, asthma, cognitive difficulties, and alterations in mood and behavior. Such symptoms are potentially indicative of what is known as mold toxicity.

Mold toxicity is an under-appreciated issue, primarily because the cause is not always visibly present. The absence of visible mold doesn’t necessarily mean that the environment is free from toxic spores or mycotoxins. Symptoms of mold exposure can be diverse, and they manifest differently in different people. We unravel five important things you should know about mold and its toxicity.

Red mushroom in the forest.

Why You Should Care

Mold is an omnipresent organism, it’s in every environment you step into during your day. While it plays an important role in the natural ecosystem, it turns into a problem when it starts growing in your home and its structures. 

Understanding what promotes mold growth enables you to take essential preventive measures. Understanding the symptoms of mold toxicity is equally crucial because they are more common than most people realize. Ignoring this can expose you and your home to harmful effects.

Mold And Your Health

Mold affects everyone. While some may develop symptoms soon after exposure, others might not show effects until several months or even years later. Certain varieties of mold produce mycotoxins, which can lead to a slew of health problems, ranging from chronic digestive issues and fertility challenges to cognitive difficulties and immune system complications. 

Clusters at high risk include individuals with pre-existing conditions like asthma, lung diseases, weakened immune systems or allergies. These people are more susceptible to the ill effects of mold. Moreover, pregnant women, babies, children, and the elderly also represent high-risk groups. 

Most people often overlook the severity of mold toxicity as it can go undetected in the absence of visible growth. Also, the symptoms are broad, vary across individuals and are often misdiagnosed without appropriate blood tests. Yet, anyone exposed to large quantities of mold over time can develop symptoms. These may involve minor irritations like a runny nose, coughing and sneezing, to severe ones like difficulty in breathing, which can precipitate an asthma attack. 

A woman enjoying a bath with candles and wine.

Where to Find Mold

Prevention is always better than cure. Awareness of the conditions favorable for mold growth can help prevent its insidious invasion. 

Mold is natural and everywhere and its spores thrive in environments with high humidity, adequate moisture, oxygen, and a food source. Uncontrolled humidity levels, leaks, excess moisture, and lack of ventilation can provide fertile grounds for mold growth within your home. These areas could range from your walls, ceiling, closets to areas prone to dampness like laundry rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms.

Mold thrives in humid conditions and surfaces rich in organic matter like wood, cardboard, fabrics, plants or food. Therefore, maintaining indoor humidity within the 30%-50% range, prompt fixing of any leaks or water damage, and ensuring adequate ventilation can help keep mold at bay. 

How to Remove Mold

Removing mold can be a precarious task due to the release of mold spores into the air. 

While there are several products in the market that claim to eliminate mold, one must exercise care while choosing. Many cleaning products with unpronounceable ingredients are not formulated with human, pet, or environmental health and safety in mind. You’re better off opting for natural mold removers like vinegar, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and tea tree oil. These can effectively kill most types of mold and are safe for use.

For the best results, consider these top methods for using natural mold removers:

  • Vinegar: Pour undiluted white vinegar into a spray bottle. Spray directly onto the moldy surface and allow it to sit for at least 60 minutes. Scrub the surface with a brush or cloth, then rinse and wipe clean.
  • Baking Soda: Mix half a cup of baking soda with half a cup of water (add more as needed) to form a paste. Apply the paste to the moldy area and scrub the surface with a brush or a sponge. Rinse and wipe clean. For an extra boost, add a tablespoon of vinegar to the paste.
  • Hydrogen Peroxide: Use a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. Spray directly onto the moldy surface and allow it to sit for about 10minutes. Then scrub the area with a brush. Rinse and wipe.
  • Tea Tree Oil: Mix one teaspoon of tea tree oil with one cup of water in a spray bottle. Shake well to combine before spraying the mixture onto the moldy surface. Allow it to sit and dry. This option doesn’t require a rinse.

When Things Get Out Of Hand

Professional intervention becomes necessary when dealing with larger infestations, mold in your HVAC systems, or when the mold has been caused by contaminated water. Unfortunately, choosing the wrong company will often worsen the situation. Poor remediation can make the mold come back stronger, spread more spores, and cause more damage.  

At the same time, some companies use harsh chemicals, which are hazardous to health and will leave the place even more toxic. It is often required for people to move out for weeks at a time when such remediation measures are taken. Choose a mold remediation company that offers long-term solutions, killing the mold at its root, and using safe, eco-friendly products.

Bread sliced.

Don’t Eat the Clean Part of Moldy Bread

You may have heard this before, but it bears repeating: eating moldy food is unsafe. Contamination often extends beyond what is visible to the naked eye.

While avoiding food waste is important, consuming moldy food is unsafe; it should be discarded immediately. Visible mold on food indicates that the entire item is contaminated, making any “clean” parts unsafe to eat.

If you’ve been consuming moldy food without apparent issues, it’s likely because not all molds are harmful. However, identifying which molds are safe or harmful just by looking is impossible. By eating contaminated food, you are risking your health. So it’s best to just avoid the gamble.

Mold Prevention And Management

Understanding mold—its growth conditions, impact on health, and methods of removal and remediation—is essential for protecting yourself, your loved ones, and your home from this silent yet dangerous health hazard. Mold can cause a variety of health issues, from allergies to more serious respiratory problems. Additionally, it can damage the structural integrity of your home. Taking proactive steps to identify and address mold can save you from costly repairs and maintain a safe living environment. Stay informed and vigilant to ensure a healthy home for you and your family.