Types Of Mold In The Household
There are thousands of different types of mold in the wild. In the home, there are still hundreds of different types of mold. You can’t treat all mold the same unless you go at all of it like it is the most dangerous kind.
But doing this requires a lot of work and a lot of stress. Hiring a professional at the first signs is always best, but you will still need to give them the signs as well as what you think it might be first. This will help you do that.
Mold can be dangerous, yes. But not all mold is necessarily dangerous. In large amounts, most mold can cause problems, especially to those who have a mold allergy, but some are relatively harmless in small amounts.
That said, it’s always better to be safe and treat mild mold like it is severe. But it still helps to know the different types of mold in order for you to know when to worry and when you can easily take care of the mod on your own.
Knowing the route to take with mold can save you a lot of money and a lot of time. So learn about these different types of mold. Don’t worry, there won’t be a quiz, this is just for your own use.
Note: there is a difference between mold and mildew, learn more about that here on the mold vs mildew guide.
12 Types Of Mold In The Home
Yes, there are thousands of different types of mold around the world and it would be impossible to know them all. But there will always be some molds that are much more common than other types of mold.
The mold we are talking about is found around the home, primarily indoors, as there are more types outdoors. Although there are still many other types of mold, these are some of the most common types.
Color: pink, grey, orange, or white
Texture: packed and moist when growing then powdery
Dangers: bone marrow and immune system diseases such as mycetoma, onychomycosis, and keratitis
This mold used to be known as Cephalosporium. It is found in moist areas of the home such as inside humidifiers or air conditioners. This is why it can be dangerous because it is sent out by these appliances.
Texture: hairy
Dangers: worsened allergies or asthma
Thankfully for healthy people, this mold is only dangerous to those with allergies or asthma. But for those with these respiratory issues, it can be quite troublesome. Keep bathrooms and basements clean to prevent it from growing.
Texture: flask-shaped pores
Dangers: aspergillosis, which causes respiratory issues
This type of mold is actually a genus of the mold with a few hundred different species around the world. The mold includes certain types of mold that help age cheese and sausage! Sound yummy?
Color: clear before turning dark brown
Texture: smooth and flat
Dangers: typical allergy symptoms
Another mold that is a common allergy is most often found on wooden surfaces. It usually looks pink, brown, or black at first but gets darker and darker as it gets older. So the lighter it is, the sooner you’ve caught it.
Color: white before turning darker
Texture: thin and bumpy
Dangers: respiratory issues
This type of mold usually only grows after severe water damage is done, so you shouldn’t have to worry about it unless you’ve had leaks, floods, or have spilled a lot of water. Otherwise, it should never develop.
Color: green, brown, or black
Texture: suede or leather
Dangers: asthma
This mold usually looks smooth and pretty. It is most often found in carpets which is reason enough to not use carpet. If you do have carpet, have it cleaned and dries regularly to prevent build-up of mold.
Color: pink, white, or red
Texture: yeasty
Dangers: mycotoxicosis
This is one of the light molds that you will see on food. Never eat food with mold on it intentionally. If you don’t see or smell mold, the food is usually safe. Though this mold probably won’t be fatal, it can be dangerous.
Texture: thick and fluffy
Dangers: mucormycosis
This thick white mold is often found in carpet or near softer areas that are prone to condensation, like air conditioning units. Always check for this mold specifically when doing mold tests in your home.
Texture: velvety and smooth
This mold is most common where water damage has been done. If there are any other signs of water damage in your home or you smell something musty, then do a mold check because this isn’t a good mold.
Texture: slimy
Dangers: many health problems including difficulty breathing, sinusitis, fatigue, and even depression
This is probably what you’re looking for. This mold is known as Black Mold. Keep your house dry to prevent it from growing and nip any mold you do find in the bud regardless of what kind of mold it may be.
Texture: wooly
This wooly white and green mold can be found in wallpaper and fabric alike. But it is most often found in or near HVAC units because of the high moisture content. This mold is only a problem if left alone.
Dangers: few long term
This is a black mold but it is not Black Mold. It’s not near as dangerous but to the untrained eye, it looks like Black Mold so leave it alone even if you suspect that you’ve found it and call a professional.
The best way to not have to deal with mold is to prevent it. The best way to do this is to keep your house clean and dry. There’s no way around cleaning but an easy way to keep it dry is to get an air purifier or dehumidifier.
Both air purifiers and dehumidifiers can prevent mold in your home. Air purifiers keep your air clean and free from mold, dust, and mildew. Whereas dehumidifiers keep your air dry in humid climates.
If you have trouble with mold then do not get a humidifier. They are great for dry climates but dry climates usually don’t have any problems with mold. If you have both then ask a professional what steps to take.
The actual process to get rid of mold involves donning protective gear, washing the area down, and then keeping it dry. When washing it, you should use one of these substances that can kill mold effectively.
Bleach is by far the strongest and most effective over-the-counter way to get rid of mold. But bleach is very strong and can’t be used on all surfaces. Use it carefully and always dilute it before applying it.
When using bleach, wear gloves and a mask if you have one. If you can’t get rid of the mold with diluted bleach then call a professional because you have a serious problem that needs professional help.
Peroxide is another great way to get rid of mold. It has some of the same tendencies as mold but is much safer. In fact, you can use peroxide on your skin and you can inhale it without any problems.
Peroxide is a great way to avoid harsher chemicals while still removing the mold. Or at least more mild mold problems. However, peroxide should not be left for children can get it as it is unsafe to consume.
Vinegar may not always work, but it is probably the safest way to get rid of mold. It can damage some materials but if you take it slowly and test it first then you won’t have any problems with vinegar at all.
If you plan on having an all-natural life in the home, vinegar is your best bet for removing mold. It not only removes stains but disinfects as well. From dishwashers to windows, there’s not much that vinegar can’t clean.
This may not be the most effective way to remove mold, but if you mix baking soda and borax with a little water and scrub the mold. This can work for small problems but likely won’t work for serious mold problems.
The way it works is that it scrubs the mold away while lifting it and cleaning the underside. If it doesn’t work, just skip straight to bleach because that will always be your best bet when working on your own.
It is almost always better to hire a professional to get rid of mold. While some problems are safe to take care of alone, mold can be a serious problem and with serious problems, professionals are necessary.
Because you can’t know if the mold you have is serious or not. While bleach can help you remove it, you won’t know if you’ve taken care of the whole problem or just delayed it. When you can afford it, hire a professional.
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