{"id":488,"date":"2020-10-23T09:04:02","date_gmt":"2020-10-23T09:04:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sleeping.guide\/?p=488"},"modified":"2023-06-20T09:02:13","modified_gmt":"2023-06-20T13:02:13","slug":"mold-bedroom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sleeping.guide\/mold-bedroom\/","title":{"rendered":"Handling Mold In Your Bedroom? How To Breathe Cleanly Again"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Nothing ruins the homeliness of a room like mold.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The off-smelling air. The tickle in your lungs. The fungus on the wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not. Fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Plus, it\u2019s not safe either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Mold in your bedroom makes it unsafe. At the very least, it will cause you irritation, harm your sleep quality, and cause you extra discomfort. It can also lead to severe irritation in those with allergies, and danger to asthmatics or others with respiratory issues.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So let\u2019s get rid of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019ve separated this guide into three simple sections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>First, we\u2019ll cover what mold is, and the issues it causes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Then, how to find and remove any mold you currently have.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lastly, how to prevent the mold from ever setting foot in your bedroom again.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Use the table of contents below to skip ahead to any section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Understanding the Enemy: Mold 101<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is Mold?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If mold is present in your bedroom, you\u2019ll know it. Either by seeing it, smelling it, or coughing because of it \u2013 everyone recognises that old, stale, damp smell and taste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mold is especially likely after a flood or period of heavy rain. Not to mention spawning from the moisture around major appliances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Health Issues Caused by Mold<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Mold in a bedroom poses safety risks to those with allergies, asthma, and any other respiratory conditions especially. At best it\u2019s still highly irritating even to the most resistant of us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The most common reaction to mold are simple allergic reactions. Some examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Congestion, or a runny nose<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Difficulty breathing; getting wheezy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Coughing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sneezing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>More seriously, these will make asthma or respiratory issues worse. Mold can even lead to throat infections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>If you\u2019re looking after kids, mold in their bedrooms is a serious issue. While not definitely proven, the CDC suggest a link between growing up in a house with mold and the development of asthma in children.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Finding &amp; Removing Mold from a Bedroom<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite mold having such bad effects on us, it\u2019s thankfully quite easy to remove. But first we need to find it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Finding Mold<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unfortunately, the simplest way is to follow your nose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Try to figure out where the mold smell is coming from. This will almost always be on the floor or walls. In particular, look:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>In and around corners. Even on the ceiling.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Around windows \u2013 especially older \/ single glazed ones.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Near vents.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Near major appliances (ie fridges, freezers, large TV\u2019s, etc.)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Near\/under bathrooms or other plumbing works<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Don\u2019t be afraid to move furniture around. Mold loves dark and damp little nooks and crannies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Removing Mold<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you\u2019ve found it, removing mold is easy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First, give it a quick scrub down if there\u2019s a lot of it. Remove any excessive patches with a gloved hand or a cloth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Put some white vinegar into a spray bottle. Apply it thoroughly over the affected area and let it sit for a whole hour. The mold should easily wipe right off with a damp cloth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The vinegar smell should fade within a couple hours. To help, you can wipe it down using a mixture of warm water and some lemon juice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Preventing Bedroom Mold<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To put it simply \u2013 the #1 way to prevent mold is by lowering the moisture level in the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Get a dehumidifier. <\/strong>The most \u201ccover-all\u201d solution for this is to get a dehumidifier. A good one will help prevent the air getting humid enough to cause mold growth.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Consider an air purifier.<\/strong> Additionally, an air purifier can also help. Especially for those with allergies. Look for models with a HEPA filter which can easily remove mold spores in the air.<br><em>These two appliances are great at helping to deal with mold in the air, and preventing more from being created.<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Remove damp objects.<\/strong> Moisture is the enemy, so anything damp needs to be removed immediately! Think about what in your room could cause moisture. A small mini fridge, an air conditioner\u2019s drain tray, the back of a TV cabinet (due to the heat from the electronics).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Especially damp towels. <\/strong>If you have an ensuite, make sure the towels are getting hung up with plenty of air to dry. Or even hung up away from the bathroom and bedroom. Avoid leaving damp or wet towels thrown over a bed or chair after getting dressed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Keep appliances clear.<\/strong> Where unavoidable, simply making sure to empty drain trays or allow plenty of space around electronics will help prevent the surrounding air from getting too humid.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Keep your vents clear.<\/strong> Make sure you\u2019re not blocking vents with furniture. It\u2019s important to regularly check that they are open, unobstructed, and clear. If you have ductwork running throughout your home \u2013 this can be a prime place for mold. Getting it maintained once a year could fix your mold problem entirely.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Encourage good air flow. <\/strong>Keep windows open whenever possible when it\u2019s dry out. Try to keep the door open, and maybe use a fan to keep good air circulation flowing throughout the room.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Causes Mold In A Bedroom?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The same factors that bring mold into a bedroom are the same everywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mainly, it focuses on one of the&nbsp;<em>worst<\/em> sounding words in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Moist.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ew, what a weird one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>High humidity is factor numero uno when it comes to mold. This is why it&#8217;s typically problematic in kitchens or bathrooms. Bedrooms aren&#8217;t immune, though &#8211; especially around windows, or if you have an ensuite bathroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Damp towels being left out from getting changed don&#8217;t help, either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>In addition &#8211; other unwanted leaks can be the culprits that are inviting mold into your bedroom. Leaks from your roof\/ceiling, or nearby piping.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Get Mold Off of a Mattress<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re looking to get rid of mold from your mattress, you need to remember that it&#8217;s a living bacteria. So essentially, we need to kill it. This can be done using most multi-purpose cleaners, but a simple mixture of isopropyl alcohol and warm water will do the trick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol>\n<li>First, you want to vacuum the mattress &#8211; and then get rid of the vacuum bag (mold spores could spread inside).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Next. using a cloth dipped in the mixture, scrub the area down in circular motions. Give it a good going over, well around the affected area (and beyond, where new spores could be growing).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Now wipe it down with a damp cloth in warm water. Get it fairly dry by the end, to prevent further growth.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>At this stage, spray on some disinfectant &#8211; ideally something that is suitable for furniture.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lastly &#8211; we need to dry the mattress. This can be done by propping it up outdoors, or even drying the areas with a hairdryer. Make sure it&#8217;s totally dry before you put the sheets back on.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Mold is a serious menace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It smells, it&#8217;s unsightly, and it can cause real health issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I hope this quick guide has given you a good grasp on how to tackle the green enemy. Remember &#8211; moisture is your enemy, and regular cleaning is your friend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If this content has helped you, please consider checking out some of the related articles below! Any time you spend on the site really helps us grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Take care and sleep well.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Nothing ruins the homeliness of a room like mold. The off-smelling air. The tickle in your lungs. The fungus on the wall. Not. Fun. Plus, it\u2019s not safe either. Mold<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":537,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sleeping.guide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/488"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sleeping.guide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sleeping.guide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sleeping.guide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sleeping.guide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=488"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/sleeping.guide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/488\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":678,"href":"https:\/\/sleeping.guide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/488\/revisions\/678"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sleeping.guide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/537"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sleeping.guide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=488"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sleeping.guide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=488"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sleeping.guide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=488"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}