Mold Removal Wichita KS

This photomicrograph shows a close-up of Mucor, a common indoor mold that can cause infections of the lungs, nose/facial area, gastrointestinal tract, skin and, less commonly, other organ systems. (Photo courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

As someone committed to organic living, you appreciate nature's bounty. But ever since biblical times, humans have waged war against mold and mildew-not only cleaning nuisances, but nasty "natural" fungi that are hazardous to your health.

If you think mankind is culturally and racially diverse, consider this: There are more than 10,000 species of mold, which can be found in soil, foods and plant matter, according to award-winning reporter Vicki Lankarge, author of What Every Home Owner Needs to Know About Mold . Every home has mold, and once it invades, you may inhale spores that can lead to respiratory, eye and skin infections. Children, the elderly, people with preexisting respiratory problems like asthma (PDF file) and those with weakened immune systems (such as HIV+ individuals) are most susceptible to mold-related illnesses.

So, how do you eliminate mold from your home without resorting to environmentally unfriendly cleansers and detergents? Part IV of our series on sustainable home makeovers offers several solutions for organic living:

• Focus on prevention. Mold requires moisture and humidity to grow, says Laura Dellutri, author of Speed Cleaning 101 . "A small leak can cause mold to form within 24 hours," she tells OrganicAuthority.com. "Keep things clean and dry. That is the best preventative tip-and keep your humidity level low. The most affordable and safest solution is hydrogen peroxide. It kills the mold fungi with no harsh odors. You can buy it at the grocery store." Hydrogen peroxide is a natural substance that is chemically composed of water plus an extra oxygen molecule.
• Mold feasts on cellulose, an organic substance found in many modern building materials, Lankarge notes. It's also commonly found anywhere there's leaking water, condensation or high humidity, so perform routine checks of the following areas: underneath kitchen and bathroom sinks, underneath and behind refrigerators, behind walls that contain plumbing, stacks of damp newspapers, around air-conditioning units and around wet carpet. Recognize that mold may be black, brown, gray or green. It may also contain splashes of white, pink or purple, Lankarge warns.
Mold growing under wallpaper. (Photo courtesy of Environmental Protection Agency)


• If you detect a musty smell, mold is a likely culprit, according to Jeffrey May, president of Cambridge, Massachusetts-based May Indoor Air Investigations, LLC , a company that specializes in identifying the causes of mold, odor and moisture problems in homes, schools and offices. He's also the author of The Mold Survival Guide and My House Is Killing Me! "Although not all molds produce odors, often the first sign of a mold problem is the presence of a ...