When you hear mold in a house, your first thought might be catastrophic. It sounds like something that could make a home unhabitable — but it’s more common to have mold in a house than you might think.
When mold is present, you may have allergy symptoms, including sneezing, itchy eyes, and coughing, so treating it quickly is necessary. Luckily, minor cases of mold can be dealt with through affordable DIY methods that don’t require hiring outside help.
If your mold issue is minor, here are some efficient and cost-effective ways to treat it and smart ways to prevent it, a must for any homeowner
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1. Use spray cleaner in the shower
Use a mold and mildew spray cleaner to get rid of mold in the shower. Spray the cleaner on mold spots, give it time to act, then rinse the cleaner away with hot water. Repeat if necessary, and allow to dry thoroughly.
Own a car? Here's 7 warning signs you're paying too much for car insurance. 2. Wash shower curtains in washing machine
If there is mold growing on your plastic shower curtain or liner, you can throw it in the washing machine and wash it on hot with laundry detergent and bleach. Add a few old towels into the laundry at the same time. Hang it to dry.
3. Remove mold from wood using dishwashing liquid
Use a mixture of dishwashing liquid and water to gently remove mold from wood. Use it to gently scrub off the mold, though don’t let it sit the way you would on other surfaces — you don’t want the wood to stay wet for long.
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4. Spray outdoor surfaces with bleach and water
With mold on outdoor surfaces, such as sidewalks, use a spray made of bleach and water. Let it sit, then use an outdoor scrubber to remove the mold. Rinse with a hose or, even better, a power washer.
5. Use dishwashing liquid and vinegar to remove mold from fabric
Pre-treat clothes with mold stains by soaking them in white vinegar for up to thirty minutes. Then rub in laundry detergent to affected areas. Wash as you normally would, but add bleach if it’s safe for the fabric. Air dry, then repeat. You can put the item in the dryer only after the mold is completely gone.
6. Clean mold off walls with dishwashing liquid and bleach
The sight of mold on walls can be distressing, but it’s an easy DIY process to remove it yourself. First, clean the area with a mixture of dishwashing liquid and bleach. Rinse it off, then use a bleach mixture of one gallon of water to ¾ cup of bleach. Let it sit to take action, then scrub the area. Rinse, let dry, then repeat if necessary.
Now, here’s how to prevent mold from finding a home in your house.
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Mold thrives in humid environments, and the best way to stop mold in its tracks is to get rid of the humidity. Pick up a dehumidifier and make sure the humidity in your home stays below 50%.
8. Check insulation
Improper insulation can let moisture in, leading to areas where mold can develop. Check to make sure there aren’t drafts that could let moisture in and allow condensation to appear.
9. Make sure you have adequate venting
Does your bathroom have a vent? If it doesn’t, it should. And, if it does, it should vent outside. Moisture should be removed from the home, and that means venting any areas prone to moisture, including bathrooms and clothes dryers (think about all that moisture coming off wet clothes!).
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10. Open the windows
Whether you’re taking a shower or boiling water in the kitchen, any activity that is producing moisture is an opportunity for mold spores to take hold. Open the windows whenever there is humidity inside to help air the space out (unless there’s more humidity outside!).
11. Reseal grout
Have you ever considered that water could be behind your tile? Depending on the integrity of your tile, there could be moisture seeping back there. Reseal your grout every several years to make sure it stays waterproof and doesn’t let mold start taking hold.
12. Don’t store items in high humidity areas
If you have items that could become a breeding ground for bold, such as textiles or paper, don’t store them in basements or other areas that have high humidity. This could ruin them if mold spores do find their way in.
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Bottom line
The easiest way to save money on mold is to avoid living in a house with it.
If you’re buying a house, consider getting a mold inspection at the same time as your primary inspection.
If mold is found, you can ask that the seller pay for mold remediation before you close, saving you time and effort and eliminating some money stress down the line.
Money tips that can work for everyone
No matter what your bank account balance is, there's always an opportunity to optimize and improve your finances. Here's a quick checklist of things you can look at today.
Focus on paying off your debt. Debt can hold you back from making progress with your overall financial well-being. Aside from cutting expenses, there are tools that can help you pay off debt faster like balance transfer credit cards and debt counseling.
Earning extra income can give you breathing room. If finances are tight, earning some extra money to supplement your income can make a huge difference. A new job is one option to consider, but if you're not ready to make a big change or already retired, a part-time side job could be a better choice.
Cut your expenses. It sounds painful and so not fun, but it doesn't have to be. Take a look at your biggest expenses because that's where you'll probably find the biggest savings. For example, auto insurance rates have been soaring so shopping around for a new insurance company can be the fastest way to cut your bill. Also, look for ways to cut your grocery bill (despite rising inflation).
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