Indoor air quality is not a factor that we often think about when it comes to ensuring a safe and healthy home.
And it's not surprising either.
After all, it's nothing we can see like the germ-infested mess lurking in your kitchen.
In reality, however, the quality of the air we breathe is just as important as food hygiene. There are many substances that can pollute the air in a room.
One of the most common and dangerous remains of mold spores. If you want to learn how to get rid of airborne mold spores, you've come to the right place.
Index
- How do mold spores get into the house?
- What happens if you inhale mold spores?
- What should I do if I inhale mold spores?
- How to get rid of mold spores in the lungs?
- How long do mold spores stay in the air?
- How to get rid of mold spores in the air
- Do Air Fresheners Kill Mold Spores?
- OR HEPA filter
- This is how you get rid of a mold infestation for good
How do mold spores get into the house?
Mold in the home is not uncommon.
Any room that is frequently exposed to moisture will exhibit mold growth.
Mold can thrive anywhere, from the roof of your home (caused by roof leaks) to below the ground (caused by flooding).
Our homes are also filled with materials that hold water well, including paper, cardboard, wood, fabric, and carpet to name a few.
So how did those spores end up in your house if they weren't there the day before?
First, it can be difficult to determine if there was no mold activity there to begin with.
Mold spores are very small and cannot be seen with the naked eye.
Second, if there really was no mold activity there originally, mold spores can easily enter your home through the air through open doors and windows.
They can even stick to your clothes or your pet's fur.
What happens if you inhale mold spores?
Mold can have a negative impact on our health.
ÖCenters for Disease Control and Preventionstates that the presence of mold can cause allergies, respiratory problems and even memory loss.
These reactions depend on the type of mold present and how long the person has been exposed to it.
People with a weakened immune system or already suffering from respiratory diseases (e.g. asthma) are particularly at risk.
There are some studies that indicate what can happen.
A study published inJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunologyfound that exposure to mold is associated with the development of childhood asthma.
ÖInstitute of Medicine (USA)concluded that inhaling mold particles can have health consequences other than asthma.
These include respiratory illnesses, skin infections, gastrointestinal issues, lethargy, and even neuropsychiatric issues.
These are just some of the reasons why it is important that you learn how to remove mold spores from the air.

What should I do if I inhale mold spores?
While prevention is ideal, there are times when inhaling mold just can't be avoided, especially when it's taken you a while to discover the presence of mold.
Do not worry; There are ways to fix mold-related problems.
There are ways to treat the effects of inhaling mold.
At the very least, there are nasal rinses that can remove any contaminants that are currently in your nasal passages.
The most serious health problems can be treated medically.
A nasal rinse can eliminate the presence of mold spores in the nasal passages.
Those already suffering from physical symptoms can direct the body's response, for example by taking antihistamines to treat allergic reactions.
We still recommend consulting a doctor if you are concerned about significant health effects.
This is especially true if you (or a family member) have a vulnerable immune system or already have a respiratory condition.
How to get rid of mold spores in the lungs?
Candidiasis is known as aspergillosis and there are different types.
One type is pulmonary aspergillosis, a respiratory problem caused by mold spores already growing in the lung cavities.
In accordance withCleveland Clinic, pulmonary aspergillosis can lead to more serious health problems.
It can cause tuberculosis or sarcoidosis if not treated promptly.
The best step is to see a doctor to get the right diagnosis and treatment.
How long do mold spores stay in the air?
Anyone wondering how long mold spores stay in the air will be disappointed to find that they can survive for a long time.
Mold spores can remain in the air for a long time. In fact, mold spores have been found in the Egyptian pyramids.
National GeographyHe even published an article that mold could be responsible for the "curse of King Tutankhamun."
To make matters worse, getting rid of mold spores by killing the mold itself is not enough.
Mold spores can lie dormant for years, waiting for the right moment for the moisture they need to wake up and grow.
You don't have to wait for aspergillosis to appear before taking action.
You need to learn how to get rid of airborne mold spores right away.
To get rid of airborne mold, you need to prevent and eliminate mold growth at its source.
How to get rid of mold spores in the air
When trying to remove mold spores from the air, you will come across two effective methods. You can pick them up or drop them off.
We're not suggesting that you stop killing the mold as the mold spores aren't going to go away anyway.
No way.
You must first stop producing more mold spores.
Once you've gotten rid of the source, you can move on to removing the by-product (the spores).
Increasing the ventilation of the room will help release them.
There are devices like fans and air movers that can speed up the process and give you more control over where to direct that polluted air.
Ventilation and these machines also allow cooler, cleaner air into the space, improving indoor air quality.
hello dir einsair cleanercan help, but more serious cases of mold infestation can be treated with the help of a professional.
AgainAir freshenerGet rid of mold spores?
Besides releasing mold spores to the outside, another way to remove mold spores from the air is to useAir freshener.
Find one that comes equipped with filters that can trap mold spores and other airborne pollutants.
More advanced features are also available, such as B. ultraviolet light known to kill biological particles such as dust mites and mold spores.
We definitely recommend getting an air purifier that comes with one if you can.
Air purifier filters lose their capacity over time as they trap more particles. Therefore, they will eventually need to be replaced.
If you decide to swap them out, do so in a well-ventilated area.
You may also consider wearing an N-95 face mask if you think you will be exposed to mold spores and other harmful airborne contaminants.
This will prevent you from inhaling these particles.
OR HEPA filter
There is one type of filter that you should definitely invest in, the HEPA filter.
It is a woven mesh specially designed to capture 99.97% of airborne pollutants.
This is due to its openings that allow the passage of particles as small as 0.3 microns.
Mold spores range in size from four to 20 microns, so a HEPA filter is sure to capture even the smallest ones.
Thanks to various quality control organizations, mostAir freshenerIt already comes with a HEPA filter.
It is not recommended to reuse these filters, but most of these units have replaceable filters.
The perfect time for an exchangeair cleanerfilter depends on the level of pollution in the air and the quality of the machine.
However, the general rule of thumb is to replace HEPA filters every six months.
We don't recommend going for a cheap air purifier, even if it claims to have a HEPA filter.
Finally, the quality of the filter frame varies.
Remember that your HEPA frame needs to be airtight. Any gaps or holes will greatly affect the efficiency of your air purifier.
While a more expensive device doesn't mean you have better quality, you're more likely to find a better one if you're willing to invest in it.
You also get access to more features. For example, there are HEPA filters that are equipped with an antimicrobial layer.
This means the filter itself is coated with a chemical that can kill microbes and mold spores.
It will also prevent mold spores from developing in your machine which is possible with a poor quality machine.
This is how you get rid of a mold infestation for good
Mold formation is a problem that should not be underestimated.
The consequences for your health and that of your family are detrimental and serious if left to their own devices.
Mold spores can cause allergic reactions, breathing problems, and even neuropsychiatric problems.
Some mushrooms are even poisonous if inhaled or exposed over a period of time.
Knowing how to remove mold spores from the air and from your home is not enough. You must act.
First you need to remove the mold. There are different methods how to do it.
It is even possible to develop a DIY solution for mild cases of mold infestation.
Then you can deal with pollutants in the air using the methods suggested above.
You can also enlist the services of a mold remediation company if you don't have the necessary equipment to fix the problem yourself.
FAQs
How do you get rid of airborne mold spores? ›
Using Air Purifiers
Air purifiers and air cleaners are devices that remove airborne pollutants from the air in your home, including mold spores. In general, they work by drawing air into the system, which then passes through a series of filters designed to capture and remove microscopic particles from the air.
A bleach solution also works to kill mold. Mix one cup of bleach in a gallon of water, apply to the surface and don't rinse. Mix a 50/50 solution of ammonia and water. Spray on the surface, wait two to three hours, then rinse.
What pulls mold out of the air? ›Air purifiers help capture mold spores from the air, preventing them from reproducing and spreading throughout your home. While air purifiers won't help treat active mold that's already present on surfaces, they are a great way to control the spread of airborne mold particles.
How long do mold spores stay in the air after cleaning? ›One of the most common questions asked at SafeAir is about mold spores and how long they can remain airborne. The answer might be surprising — mold spores can stay airborne indefinitely, making mold inspection in Toronto one of the best tools for early detection and eradication.
What kills mold spores naturally? ›Baking Soda. Used with vinegar and water or alone with water, baking soda is effective at removing mold naturally. Dissolve baking soda into water or water-and-vinegar solution, and spray onto surface.
Can breathing in mold spores make you sick? ›Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores can cause a person to become allergic to mold. Molds can trigger asthma symptoms including shortness of breath, wheezing, or cough in people with known allergies. People who do not have allergies can also become irritated.
What absorbs mold spores? ›Palms. 'Palms are a great choice to help control humidity and keep mould at bay, absorbing moisture through their leaves. Varieties to look out for include Areca palms, bamboo palms, the lady palm, dwarf date palm and reed palm. '
What kills mold toxins? ›Sodium Hypochlorite has been found to kill trichothecene and other mycotoxins. Extreme heat (fire at 500°F for half-hour) can destroy trichothecene mycotoxins. Ozone can kill most mycotoxins, but the level needed is not safe for humans. HEPA air filters need to be supplemented with activated carbon filters.
Can mold ever be fully removed? ›According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.” Even if you clean the mold, it will still come back if the room is humid and poorly ventilated or there is ...
Will opening windows get rid of mold spores? ›It is also very important that there is adequate ventilation in the room. Open a window or door so the mold spores can escape, instead of staying locked in your home.
What stops mold from spreading? ›
- Keep humidity levels in your home as low as you can—no higher than 50%–all day long. ...
- Be sure the air in your home flows freely. ...
- Fix any leaks in your home's roof, walls, or plumbing so mold does not have moisture to grow.
Open windows so there is a draft. Leave windows open for approximately 10 minutes. Then turn up the thermostat; by increasing the temperature, the air will remove the moisture from the walls. After three to four hours, the air will be filled with water again.
Do mold spores ever go away? ›Without constant moisture, mold will become inactive but they never die unless you get rid of them completely. They can always come back to life in the presence of moisture and multiply rapidly causing serious health problems.
How do you tell if there are mold spores in the air? ›To test for mold spores in the air you're breathing, you'll need to purchase a viable mold detection kit such as Seeml Labs' Mold Inspector in a Box. Most quality mold tests cost between $20 and $45. The entire testing process will take a few days.
Do mold spores stay in your lungs? ›It's also possible for mold to form a ball in your lungs. This condition is called aspergilloma when caused by an Aspergillus mold. The ball most often stays in your lungs but can lead to tissue damage. Symptoms commonly include shortness of breath, cough, or coughing up blood.