Length: 6min : 11sec
Mold grows in any moist environment where dirt and dust provide nutrients. It does not grow on dry, clean synthetic carpet.
Did you know that…
Toxic mold can seriously damage your lungs and central nervous system?
The mold Stachybotrys “produces very potent chemicals that can cause brain fogginess, tremors, [and] problems with the memory” while Aspergillus can cause cancer. Other molds produces allergens that can trigger allergic reaction, chronic sinusitis, and asthma attacks.What are molds?
Molds are microscopic fungi, a group of organisms which also includes mushrooms and yeasts. Fungi are highly adapted to grow and reproduce rapidly, producing spores and mycelia in the process.You encounter mold every day. Foods spoil because of mold. Leaves decay and pieces of wood lying on the ground rot due to mold. That fuzzy black growth on wet window sills is mold. Paper or fabrics stored in a damp place get a musty smell that is due to the action of molds.
Molds can be useful to people. The drug penicillin is obtained from a specific type of mold. Some foods and beverages are made by the actions of molds. The good kinds of molds are selected and grown in a controlled fashion.
Molds are undesirable when they grow where we don’t want them, such as in homes. Over 270 species of mold have been identified as living in Canadian homes. Molds that grow inside may be different from the ones found outdoors.
How to clean up small mold problems
“Small areas” of mold can be cleaned with a detergent solution.
Wear a mask, safety goggles and rubber gloves.
Seek professional help if there is a lot of mold or if mold comes back after cleaning.
Clean “moderate areas” of mold, but wear proper protective equipment and follow precautions.
Seek professional help if there is a lot of mold or if mold comes back after cleaning.
Bleach is not recommended. The presence of organic (humic) materials, the pH (acidity/alkalinity) of the water, the surface material and contact time affect the effectiveness of bleach for disinfection. Since these factors are not generally controlled, bleach cannot be relied upon for disinfection.The most compelling reason for advising against bleach is that cancer-causing substances can be formed by the reaction of bleach with organic materials. In addition, the fumes are harmful.
Carpet is an important part of how people see your entire facility.When your carpet is clean, everything else looks better. But too often, cleaning is delayed for long periods of time. The beauty of the DRY ORGANIC Extraction Cleaning System is that cleaning can be routine and not a special project, because carpets are back in service as soon as the cleaning is done.
A study of 25 homes in Wisconsin was conducted to determine the effect of DRY ORGANIC Extraction Carpet Cleaning on dust mites. The study showed a 78% drop in the average mite count. An extended study of 63 homes in Georgia and Wisconsin showed mite allergen decreased by 75% one day after DRY ORGANIC Carpet Cleaning.
This research has been peer reviewed and was one of only 500 papers worldwide that was accepted for presentation at the Sixth International Conference on Indoor Air Quality and the Environment in Helsinki , Finland .
How can you tell if it is mold?
Discoloration is a sign of mold. However, all discoloration is not due to mold. Carpeting near baseboards, for example, can be stained by outdoor pollution entering the home. Stains or soot may also be caused by the smoke from burning candles or cigarettes.Mold may be any colour: black, white, red, orange, yellow, blue or violet. Dab a drop of household bleach onto a suspected spot. If the stain loses its colour or disappears, it may be mold. If there is no change, it probably isn’t mold.