Mould Colonies
Mould is good. Ha! You didn’t expect that, did you? Yes, mould is good, it’s also natural and even desirable outdoors, but when it makes it’s way inside your house, well, that’s a whole other story.
Outdoors, mould is a natural part of the ecosystem and it plays a large part for the normal functioning of the environment. Indoors, however, mould has the potential to cause serious health issues, like severe allergic reactions, asthma attacks, as well as skin, eye, throat, and lung irritations. Not a pretty picture. So keeping mould at bay should always be on your house maintenance list. To that end, here’s where to look out for mould.
#1 Toothbrush
Just the thought of mould growing on my toothbrush is enough to make me dizzy at the very least. But yes, your toothbrush harbouring mould colonies is not pleasant, yet very plausible scenario. Something more, the combination of the high humidity in your bathroom and the millions of bacteria on your toothbrush makes it quite the breeding ground for mould. Not to scare you or anything, but you might find yourself brushing your teeth with a brush that has Serratia marcescens on it. Sounds scary, doesn’t it?
Avoid that by regularly soaking your toothbrush in hydrogen peroxyde and changing it every 2 to three months. It’s as simple as that.
#2 Shower Curtain
Mould Could Also Appear on Your Shower Curtain
The other most common place in your bathroom where mould could appear is the shower curtain. Think about it. How many of you wash and wipe the shower curtain after showering? The high humidity and the warmth in your bathroom, especially in the summer, makes it an ideal spot for mould growth.
But there’s an easy way out. Either wash and wipe the curtain after each shower, or take it off at least twice a month and run it through a warm cycle in your washing machine, using washing powder and about 100ml of bleach. Reducing the humidity in your bathroom could also go a long way in preventing mould formation, so don’t forget to turn on the bathroom fan during and after you shower.
#3 Fridge Drawer
Even the vegetable drawer in your fringe is not safe from mould. On the contrary, it’s quite common for you to find mould in there. But that’s what happens when you leave food rot in your fridge. The spores can then contaminate the rest of the food in your fridge, and that in turn spells trouble for you.
The way of this is quite simple. Don’t let the food in your fridge to go bad. And if the mould has already settled in, calling your housemaid is pretty much the most sensible solution.
#4 Under the Sink
Mould Under the Sink
Always remember to check your kitchen sink for leaks. Often neglected, a small leak can have terrible consequences, starting a mould colony in your kitchen – the place which should be the cleanest in your entire house.
If a leak has already occurred and there is mould, first seal the leak. Then mix sixteen parts of water with one part of bleach and spray the mould with the mixture. Leave the mixture to work it’s way well into the mould for about an hour and then scrub it. Lastly, air out the space well as to ensure the mould won’t come back.
#5 Basement
Your basement is also a place in your house you should be looking out for mould. Basements are generally not ventilated very well and are a bit moist which, as you know, makes up for a fantastic mould breeding ground. With that said, keeping track of the condition of your basement is also crucial.
The surest way to clean up mould in your basement would be to buy a special detergent and treat the mould colonies with it. Also, don’t forget to to air out your basement, otherwise the mould will return.
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