During renovation of on an older dwelling, I have discovered some areas affected by mold. Especially after Katrina's impact on Louisiana we have learned that mold can be toxic. In an effort to discover the truth, and hopefully prevent paying out thousands of dollars to a mold remediation company, I have researched this subject and share my findings below.
It is possible that most of our allergies such as EXZEMA and food alleriges/asthma, and so forth are due to an overgrowth of mold. I have wondered why the kids today have so many more allergies than in our day. It stands to reason that the mold spores have developed a bit during the last 40 or so years, right?
This leads to the following postulates:
Do NOT panic if you find mold. Do NOT rush to sign anything with a mold remediation company until you are SURE you need their services.
Research your home's history:
Check for current leaks
Check any areas where there has EVER been a sizeable or ongoing small leak.
Wherever you find mold, get rid of it, even if it means replacing wallboard/sheet rock to do so. Check flooring, baseboards, etc. Check your vents/ventilation system ducts, too.
My research reveals that CO2 or dry ice (the frozen form of CO2) kills mold, safely and without the use of dangerous chemicals...don't stick your tongue to the dry ice, or it will become a dangerous chemical, too.)
Check crawl spaces, basements, inside and outside your home.
Get an ionizer.
There are products on the market that prevent mold re-growth. Beware of ones with misleading wording, such as, "Gets rid of mold 'stains' or 'odors'. You want to get rid of the mold, not the byproduct of it.
Mold spores, left unaddressed, will not clear up with different levels of humidity. Some mold spores will survive for a long, long time.
Wear a mask when cleaning mold, and try to enclose the area where you are treating it. The spores can become airborne.
Take measures/install equipment to regulate the humidity in summer, and different equip/measures in winter. And remember it's not the SEASON but the TEMPERATURE that you are to watch.
Once you have dealt with the mold, try to avoid going places where you are likely to come in contact with mold overgrowth.
After some length of time, (Six mo. to a year?) Reevaluate your family's allergy problems. It is my assumption that they will be greatly improved
.
GUM IN YOUR or YOUR CHILD'S HAIR and CLOTHING:
WILL COMPLETELY DISSOLVE if you apply a small amount of peanut butter (or WD-40), which will then need to be washed with a good grease-cutter like Dawn!
GRASS STAINS:409 (asap) then launder
AVOCADO STAINS (Guacamole, etc.): Full-strength LEMON JUICE and possibly a bit of salt.
CRAYON MARKS: WD-40, then spot-wash residue with original Dawn dishwashing liquid.
MOST MARKERS (including permanent): NON-ACETONE FINGERNAIL POLISH REMOVER and sometimes gel hand-sanitizer.
This process may take several applications, with lots of blotting using clean paper towels each time.
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