When you’re deep cleaning your home, remember that it’s not just about clutter and shine. It’s about preventing and removing mold — which can have an impact on your health.
“As the World Health Organization reports that 9 out of 10 people breathe polluted air, this data indicates a serious problem with our indoor air quality. Mold, bacteria, and toxins are slowly killing people in their homes because we, as a society, don’t consider how much our indoor air quality affects our health,” says Michael Rubino, an air quality expert who helps bridge the gap between the air in our homes and its direct impact on our health. Here are his four tips for spring cleaning.
1/ Clean appliances
If the appliance in question involves any sort of water or liquid, it offers an excellent environment for mold to grow. To help prevent this and avoid a contamination issue, deep clean these machines to remove random mold spores, particles a colony could use for growth, pooled moisture, and mineral buildup. Appliances that should be tackled include the coffee maker, dishwasher, washing machine, refrigerator water spout, and blender.
2/ Focus on all grout and caulk
As these are often near areas with some form of moisture, it’s important to keep them clean to remove any mold spores or particles that colonies can use for growth. Tackle these areas with 8% hydrogen peroxide and microfiber rags. While cleaning, take a close look at the grout and caulk to make sure it’s not cracked or aging. The older it is, the more porous it becomes, offering a perfect opportunity for mold to begin growing. If any issues are visible, fix them or replace the grout or caulk as soon as possible to prevent any issues.
3/ Take care of the mattress
Take everything off the mattress, HEPA vacuum it, and flip it to the opposite side. This aerates the mattress, which prevents moisture buildup and removes any particles that have made their way onto the surface. With mold’s ability to grow in 24–48 hours, maintaining a dry mattress free from particles is crucial so that colonies don’t develop where we sleep. While cleaning, check for any visible mold growth or a musty, earthy smell that could indicate a hidden problem.
4/ Machine wash bathroom items
Things like bathmats, towels, washrags, and the shower curtain constantly get wet while the bathroom is in use. Add in the plethora of particles such as organic matter, dust, and skin cells that mold can use for growth, and they become perfect habitable locations. To avoid this, throw these items in the wash with a botanical cleaner such as EC3 Laundry Additive.
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This original healthy living article first appeared in the Spring 2023 issue of City Style and Living Magazine.
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