Seasonal Spores: Tips For Avoiding Mold Growth During Your Spring Decor Swap-Out

As winter chills give way to the warming temperatures of spring, it's time to start swapping out your home decor for the season. As you do so, it's important that you're attentive to any warning signs of mold growth. While most people think primarily of basements and walls when thinking of mold, those places are only the beginning. Mold spores can hide in many places, including in the seasonal items you have in storage and in various places inside your home. Here's a look at some of the things you should know about mold detection and prevention as you start your seasonal decor swap.

Areas of Concern

There are a few key places that you should check when you're swapping things out for the season. Mold can develop inside throw pillows and rugs as well as under carpets. Mold can settle into carpet fibers, rug threads and even the padding beneath your carpet. When mold starts growing in these areas, you'll typically have to replace the carpet and the padding, because mold spores can settle into the smallest cracks and crevices, making it nearly impossible to get rid of.

Tips for Prevention

The biggest thing about preventing mold growth in your house is keeping moisture at bay. Moisture is a leading cause of mold development. Luckily, there are several things that you can do to keep moisture away from your carpet fibers.

Invest in a quality carpet padding with a water-resistant backing. This is particularly important for carpeting that's installed over a concrete floor. Make sure that you're attentive to any leaks or moisture seepage from outside. If the air where you live is particularly humid, install a dehumidifier to keep moisture at bay.

Running a central air conditioner is also beneficial, because the air conditioner will help draw moisture out of the air. When you're trying to keep things dry, air circulation makes it easier. Consider opening all of the doors in the house, including your closet doors.

Suggestions for Treatment

If you do find mold in any of the furnishings you're bringing in, you'll need to have it thoroughly cleaned with an anti-microbial cleaner. If there's any mold in your carpet, you should reach out to a mold remediation specialist. They can evaluate the condition of the carpet, padding and floor beneath. If you have hardwood floors under the carpet, you may be able to remove the carpet entirely and eliminate the mold with an anti-microbial treatment on the hardwood.

With these tips, you can swap your furnishings over for the season without any worry about mold development in the house. For more help, reach out to your local mold remediation contractor or Epic Mold Solutions.

Share