Mold Information

When people think of mold, most of the time their thoughts turn to homes…

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What is Mold?

Mold (sometimes referred to as mildew) is a microorganism that has been classified as a fungus. All fungi – whether mold, mushrooms, or yeast – share these three biological attributes:

Defined cell walls – Only organisms such as fungi, plants, bacteria, and algae have cell walls, while animals do not. Therefore, mold is not an animal.

They reproduce via spores – In fact, the type of spore (similar to plant pollen) – the way it is produced (how it grows and is attached to the mold base), its form of reproduction (most are asexual while the rare spores are sexual), and what type of carrier it uses (think: pollination) to find a suitable habitat, such as animals, water, or air – is what determines the class of mold and sometimes, whether or not it is toxic or benign. Although the maturing and release of the spores greatly resembles what takes place in plant pollination (using the air currents or passing animals as carriers), it is missing one key ingredient that every plant has.

They lack chlorophyll – Chlorophyll is used by plants to absorb sunlight and they use that energy to synthesise carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and water. In other words, chlorophyll aids in photosynthesis. Molds do not photosynthesize, and in fact, grow best in dark – sometimes pitch-black – habits, which means mold is not a plant.

Layman’s terms: Well, it’s not an animal and it’s not a plant. It’s a fungus…. and, it’s mold. Mold is mold. If you’re a fungus, you’re either mushrooms, yeast, or …mold. That’s as simple and as basic as it gets.

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I’ve used tea tree oil as an ingredient for my homemade deodorant, as a natural treatment for breakouts, for repelling insects, and also as a safer alternative for cleaning and killing mold and mildew. Tea tree oil may not be effective for all mold contaminations; but for small areas, on clothing, and treating non-porous surfaces it can be quite effective.

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In many areas, the climate is simply too dry for some people to be comfortable. This dry air can cause everything from stuffy sinuses to problematic asthma. In order to combat this dryness, many people will set up humidifiers. These devices work wonders to make the surrounding area more humid for those that have problems adapting to arid climates. Unfortunately, they could also exacerbate mold growth in the home.

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It is frustrating and sometimes downright scary to notice mold growth on your walls, favorite furniture, and personal belongings. In such cases moldy drywall and other porous items typically have to be discarded by professional mold remediators. Fortunately, you can often salvage some specific types of moldy semi porous and non porous or hard items yourself. In this post we share some tips on removing mold from hard or semi porous and non porous surfaces.

Although mold can be found in almost any environment, there are certain types and quantities that can put your health at risk. Mold is a fungi that thrives off warmth and moisture, quickly reproducing by sending spores that travel through the air until they find a surface where they can grow. There are thousands of different types of mold but only a few types that are commonly found indoors; some of these being especially toxic to many people. If you have signs of mold exposure, it is important to seek medical attention and have the mold removed from your environment.

Mildew and mold are a problem that every household experiences every once in a while. In general, they can be found in humid places but the most common area where they grow is the bathroom. Due to a combination of high levels of humidity and shampoos, shower gels, etc, this part of the house suffers from mold more often that any other room.

Many people around the world install greenhouses in order to cultivate plant life in a secured area year-round. Although these structures protect your plants from the ravages of the seasons, is it being occupied by organic materials other than what you’re purposely growing? Given the nature of the greenhouse, you could be inadvertently spreading mold spores throughout the structure as well as your home – if the greenhouse is connected directly to your house.

Mold is not a topic that most homeowners want to think about. If they…