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Mold and dust are unsightly in your home, and they can also be harmful to your health.
Both dust and mold particles can cause respiratory problemsespecially for those with preexisting conditions like asthma and allergies.
Woman cleaning dirty wall with cleaning products
But sometimes, it can be hard to tell whether its mold or dust causing your symptoms.
Luckily, we’ve asked two experts to answer our pressing questions.
Heres what they told us about how to prevent and treat mold and dust in your home.
Mold around window
Mold vs. dust: Whats the difference?
Before treating a problem, you’re gonna wanna know what the problem is.
So, whats the difference between mold and dust?
Moldis a natural organism that belongs to the fungi family.
But while mold is good for nature outside, its not great when growing in your house.
As a natural decomposer, this organism will eat through various home materials, causing significant structural damage.
Someone dusting the cabinets, picking up succulents as they clean
Thats not the main issue, though.
The health impact this organism causes is whats truly the problem.
Mold also thrives in damp environments, spreading from one area and growing outwards across the surface.
He suggests several ways to prevent mold from growing in your home, including regular cleaning.
Its also essential to manage humidity levels and airflow to prevent mold.
Hang up bath mats, towels, loofahs, and other wet shower items so they can thoroughly dry.
Don’t forget, mold is one of the main reasons why people invest in thebest dehumidifiers.
you’re free to also tackle some home maintenance projects to prevent mold in your home.
Fix structural issues with the home quickly to avoid moisture intrusion.
Keep gutters clean and ensure they are properly installed and working correctly.
Finally, Rubino offers some tips for preventing mold in your home.
How to prevent dust
Like mold, dust is impossible to keep out of your home completely.
However, its possible to prevent excessive dust buildup by regularly and thoroughly cleaning your home.
She recommends several actions to keep dust under control in your home.
Mock explains that leaky windows and doors could cause excess dust in your home.
One of the main causes of dust buildup is outside particles entering through gaps in windows and doors.
Using doormats by exterior doors and removing shoes can also prevent dust buildup in the house.
Dust can be tracked in from shoes.
Placing a doormat at entrances and removing shoes before entering can help minimize indoor dust.
If you find excessive dust and mold in your home, heres how our experts recommend removing them.
The key to eliminating mold is proper protocol, explains Rubino.
Professionals should automatically handle anything larger than 10 square feet.
To properly remediate, all of the contamination must go.
This includes the colony, roots, dead mold particles, mycotoxins, and any bacteria present.
As long as the colony grew, it released microscopic particles into the surrounding environment, Rubino explains.
Eliminating these particles will help make the home a safe space again and improve the indoor air quality.
How to remove dust
So what is the best way to get rid of dust?
Dusting is simple, but using the wrong tools can make it less effective, says Mock.
She recommends using a damp microfiber cloth instead.
Lightly mist a clean microfiber cloth with water.
It picks up dust effectively without leaving lint behind.
Dusting is also recommended before you vacuum.
Similarly, Mock advises working from top to bottom when dusting.
Start dusting higher surfaces and move downward to prevent recontamination.
make a run at make gravity your friend rather than your enemy.
Lightly mist a clean microfiber cloth with water.
It picks up dust effectively without leaving lint behind.
Finally, Mock suggests stocking your cleaning closet with a few staples.
Dryer sheets attract static electricity, making them great for dusting TV screens and computers.
While lint rollers work well for cleaning lampshades.
[And] dust mops are best for hardwood floors, reaching areas a vacuum might miss.
Synthetic fiber or cotton covers are both effective.
