Mould Growth in Your Home – Its Health Hazards and Cleaning Tips

Do you know that moulds known as Hyphomycetes, a group of fungi, can grow in your home interiors and cause health hazards to you and your family? 

Indoor water condensation is the main source of moisture that helps the growth of mould in your home. There are chances of severe health risks due to mycotoxins from some toxic moulds. Exposure to high levels of mycotoxins for a longer period of time can cause neurological problems and even death in more serious cases.

Mould can affect all people. But more prone to its attack are the young, elderly or sick, and those with asthma and allergies. Asthma is made worse by the presence of mould. Around 50% of people who live in mouldy conditions can get affected by upper respiratory symptoms. Prolonged exposure to mould can also develop allergy.

In addition to health problems, mould can cause damage to fabrics, shoes, and discolour paint and wallpaper.

Mould growth can occur at poorly ventilated places in the house where there are dampness and darkness. Indoor condensation of humidity that comes from bathrooms and kitchens promotes conditions suitable for the growth of mould. Showers, hot bath, washing machines, clothes dryers, fridge drip trays, boiling kettle, and indoor plants are some sources which generate humidity. This water vapour easily travels to other areas of the house and when it comes in contact with cooler surfaces it gets condensed. In a house, condensation easily occurs at windows, corners of rooms and bedrooms. Cluttered storage, basement areas, flooded areas are also prone to mould growth.  If walls, carpet, wooden furniture and fabrics stay damp for long, mould will slowly grow there too.

Mould growth mainly depends on the type of interior finish in your house. Flat paints (compared to semi-gloss or gloss painted surfaces), plasters and untreated timbers have high percentage of moisture absorbency causing condensation of water vapour.

Mould has to be removed the moment traces are seen. It becomes difficult to clean the area affected by mould for longer periods. Avoid dry brushing the area because it could release spores that will help the mould spread further. It will also cause harm if you are allergic to it.  

Room heating, adequate ventilation, proper insulation of walls, ceiling and flooring, and physically removing the moulds are some of the possible methods of controlling condensation and mould. Cleaning affected areas using 80% white fermented vinegar solution can be more effective than applying bleach. It poses a cheap means of dispatching mould too.

In case of flooding, make sure to clean and dry the area thoroughly as early as possible. Water-damaged carpets, rugs and damp building materials are most affected by mould growth. If you are unsure about proper cleaning procedures after a flood, it is recommended that you take the services of a reputed cleaning contractor in your area.

The adage that says “prevention is better than cure” is also applicable to mould issues. Frequently clean the bathroom, window panes, evaporation trays in air conditioners, and refrigerators where there is a possibility of the occurrence of humidity. It does not only maintain the beauty of the house from the inside but also maintains your health and well-being.

Must-Know Cleaning Tips for Every Household

Here are some important house cleaning tips you should keep in mind before venturing out to clean it all by yourself. These must-know facts will keep you safe, and also save you time and energy while doing a home cleaning task.

Cleaning Preparation

Before starting the house cleaning task, prepare all the cleaning materials, tools and accessories (clean rags, paper towels, rubbish bag for emptying wastebaskets, etc.) together in a cleaning trolley. This way you can save time and energy running around the house for taking right tools and other items during the cleaning process. 

Cleaning an entire house

Start cleaning from the top floor and move your way down. This will avoid passing through the area you have already cleaned.

Cleaning a room

First do the cleaning works around the ceiling area, for example, clean the fans, lights, cobwebs on the wall etc. Then clean windows and wall hangings; next work on furniture and lastly the floor. This method has the advantage that any dust shaken loose from high up does not settle on something you've already cleaned below. Same way clean the windows and mirrors from top to bottom as the cleaning liquid drips down carrying dirt from top to bottom.

General House Cleaning Tips

First do the dry cleaning methods such as dusting, sweeping and vacuuming, and then proceed to wet cleaning. This makes the job easy as most of the dust particles are removed which otherwise would have stuck to the wet surface. 

It’s much easier to clean up spills and stains as and when they happen rather than delaying it for another day. The spills slowly seep into the inner layers of carpets or stone surfaces and then set down permanently making it very difficult to remove later.

Good to get organised well and do the cleaning job in a time saving and wise way. It is advisable firstly to spray cleaning chemicals on the objects and then do another easy job while the cleaner fully soaks in to the surface. This way you get the area cleaned well without the need for heavy scrubbing.

Using Cleaning Products or Chemicals

Manufacturer’s instructions or tips for cleaning are to be strictly followed for everything from toasters to silk blouses and quilts to blinds. When you purchase a new appliance, rug or other household item, keep the cleaning procedures safely and refer to it for periodical cleaning.

Some cleaning liquids when sprayed directly on a computer screen or a framed artwork can cause damage. The liquid dripping into your electronics or cleaner soaking the mount of a painting can be harmful. It would be safe to spray the cleaning liquid on a cloth and then use it to clean the electronics items or framed photographs.

The chemical ingredients of all cleaning products are by large harmful to human being - it can affect the skin, eyes, lungs etc. So, if you are not taking the services of a professional cleaner, make sure that you have all the protective items before starting a house cleaning work. Use aprons, head scarf, rubber gloves and protective safety glasses while you attempt the house cleaning. Also ensure that the room you’re cleaning is properly ventilated.

House cleaning tasks are often boring and tedious, but we shouldn’t forget the great satisfaction that one gets from living in a clean home. The cleaning tips provided above will make your work safer and simpler.

Add Value to Your Property by Observing Basic Home Cleaning Procedures

Are you preparing your home for auction and looking for a reliable home cleaning company who will impart a fresh outlook to the entire property? Or are you planning a major seasonal clean-up?

In both cases, once you have assigned the job to Select Home Cleaning service, we won’t be supplying just a normal cleaner; what we provide will be a well trained Select Cleaning Franchisee owner. And you know what difference it makes! As they own their business, they are sure to take more care about the quality they deliver.

The winter has already set in, but if you have not yet done the preparatory winter cleaning procedures, you can have a look at one of our blog articles here.   

Given below are some general tips for maintaining your home neat and clean throughout the year:

Ensure that your cleaning job is done using the most effective and Eco-friendly cleaning products so the best result is achieved without harming the environment.

During a major clean-up task, make sure that the cleaning staffs pay attention to generally neglected areas in the home which are to be given a smart clean. It’s also the ideal time for de-cluttering. Check the entire house, especially the bedrooms, and get rid of any unused items and junk where dust can easily accumulate.  Stash all kinds of living room and family room miscellany such as toys, hats, gloves, magazines etc. into a plastic pouch.

Make certain that gutters that may have been filled with leaves over autumn are thoroughly cleaned. Doing this could save you a considerable amount of money over time as water seeping through damaged gutter can badly affect the building structure.

It’s advisable to do the major home cleaning two times a year rather than making it a onetime complete clean-up. May be the second one can be six months after the spring cleaning. The advantage of cleaning twice is that your house will remain cleaned and more organised for a longer time. It will also be easier to properly maintain it that way. Selecting the springtime for cleaning is the best approach because you’ll be opening up the house after the winter period and every nook and corner then needs the attention. 

Always remember that what you pay for house cleaning will come back to you in double profits in the form of peace of mind and extra time during weekends! A tidy, sparkling and elegantly kept home helps to reduce stress and increases your productivity.

Phone us on 0800 000 907 to get your free quote now! Or submit a simple form given in the Select Cleaning website to receive the no-obligation free quote from your favourite home cleaning providers in New Zealand.