Mold is used to age cheese to perfection. Mold adds texture to certain wines. Mold retains water – up to 500 times its weight – to help garden vegetables get through long hot summers. Mold breaks down organic material and returns nutrients to the soil. Mold has saved millions of lives. (Penicillin)

Battling Mold

At LACOSTA, we do not enjoy or appreciate mold. We battle mold every day, which is a challenge because mold is everywhere. Mold appears in every environment both inside and outside. Mold spores get around quite easily as they travel by air.

Why Fight Mold

Mold causes all sorts of allergic reactions, respiratory problems, headaches, and skin rashes. I once had a friend who had an allergic reaction to the mold…in snow.

According to the USDA, as much as twenty-five percent (25%) of the world’s food crops are affected by mycotoxins. Some mycotoxins, such as aflatoxin, can cause cancer. Mold should not be taken lightly.

Preventing Mold

Mold grows where there’s moisture, darkness, warmth and something good to eat, which in the case of mold spores is nearly anything.  Keeping your house dry is one of the most important ways to prevent mold. Install a hygrometer in your home or office, as this will measure the moisture levels inside. Ideally, you want to keep the humidity level in your house or office below 60 percent to prevent mold growth.

Another method for preventing mold growth is through proper ventilation; for instance, by installing an exhaust fan in humid rooms.  This will ensure that moist air doesn’t linger, which could lead to mold formation.

Ending Mold

One effective way to kill mold is by using bleach in a water solution. You will find numerous bleach-based products at your home improvement stores.  However, you should never mix bleach with ammonia or vinegar-based cleaners, as this will create dangerous fumes. Bleach should only be used on non-porous surfaces such as counters or sinks and not on porous materials like wood or fabric since it could damage them. We at LACOSTA use commercial-level formulas to prevent and kill mold. The most effective method is attentively surveillance, watching out for those damp, dark, warm areas where mold spores love to land and set up shop.

Keeping it clean,

Bravo