Preventing and Cleaning Your Home For Mold - A Mold Free Environment

It is important to keep your Indoor Environment clean and free of Mold. Mold can cause allergies and allergic reactions in the home. It can be very annoying to go home and start reacting to something in your home after a hard day at the office. These allergens can sometimes make you sneeze or feel tired. Everyone has different symptoms. I have some clients who have constant Chronic Fatigue if they are exposed to mold on a daily basis. Asthma attacks can also be initiated by allergens such as mold in your home. Some attacks can put you in the hospital if not controlled properly.

Mold is a perfect example of an allergen that can be in your home. Most of my clients are in the South Florida Area and have to deal with high humidity on a constant basis. High humidity encourages mold to grow. A lot of the foreclose homes that we are inspecting now have contaminated Air Conditioning Systems. This is because the Banks or Realtors are not leaving the A/C on or are setting the temperature too high to properly remove the humidity.

If the outdoor environment has high humidity, the humidity will migrate toward the Indoor Environment gradually. The interior of the homes are a closed up box with no A/C, thus the high humidity plus mold spores (they are everywhere) means mold will start to grow on the interior of the house. It first starts in the A/C Systems and then spreads slowly through the house on the organic materials. So if you are considering buying a foreclose, get it tested for mold by a certified mold inspector to prevent this problem from happening to you. Warning: Do not hire someone just to test, this is a waste of money. You need to hire a professional that can investigate the reasons for the mold, then tell you what needs to be done and write a protocol on what needs to be fixed.

Mold is a living organism and loves humid and damp environments. It is important to make sure that your homes' A/C System has enough ventilation, especially in those areas that get moisture. Remember, no moisture, no mold. Get a hygrometer that measures the humidity in your home. Check it once a week especially during the summer months of high humidity. If you notice a change, call an A/C repairman immediately. If your home has high humidity after this, then there is a serious construction defect in your home.

Have your home evaluated by a professional with lots of experience in this type of problem or you will have a serious mold problem long term. I constantly see this happen because of incompetence in the construction field. Don't get me wrong, I know a lot of very competent contractors who do excellent work. There is an old saying in this field: Don't allow workmen in your home on Friday afternoon or Monday morning. Enough said about this.

Mold Allergy, especially in people with weakened immune systems, can be a serious problem. It can cause the usual symptoms associated with allergies. I have a lot of clients who react such as sneezing, headaches, and nasal congestion. It can also trigger asthma attacks and neurological symptoms. Visually inspecting your home on a weekly basis is important to prevent these problems. You say what!

Yes, on a weekly basis because that's all the time mold needs to get a foothold into your home due to a water leak or dew pointing. When you find it, stop the moisture source first. If it is a small area, clean it up. Go to www.safe-homes.com for a free EPA Guide to Mold Remediation on how to clean it up yourself. If it is larger than 10 square feet, consider hiring a professional mold remediation company.

Finally, be wary of all the claims of mold cleaning products, check the labels and read the MSDS (Manufacturers Safety Data Sheet) Reports on the products. I have several clients that are allergic to some of these products but not to all. It is an individual thing and must be done before using these products to clean. Remember, always proceed with caution in this area. If you are Chemically Sensitive or have Asthma, consult with your Doctor before attempting any form of mold cleanup.

Allergy Symptoms and How to Heal Them Naturally

Allergy symptoms vary from person to person (and animal to animal), but tend to fall into a few categories. One group of people will tend to express their allergies through their skin. Various eruptions will appear on any part of your body. These are unique to you, in both the area affected and the type of eruption.

Another group of people will express their allergy symptoms through watery discharge of the upper respiratory tract. Symptoms might include those typical of hay fever - streaming eyes, sore eyes, red eyes, itchy eyes, streaming nose, itchy palate, itchy throat, itchy nose, sneezing, etc.

And yet another group of people may express their allergy symptoms through their stomach, with indigestion, gas and diarrhea.

Whatever the area affected, it is showing you your weakness. But at the core of the problem is your immune system. It's struggling really hard and not making much headway. It's badly compromised.

This is at the heart of every single disease under the sun. The expression of the disease (ie your symptoms) indicate your area of weakness, but the fact that you have the allergy or disease in the first place is because your immune system is compromised.

If you have a good, healthy immune system, your body will heal everything. You won't even be aware that there is a problem.

So how do you restore your immune system to its former glory? Generally this is a life transformation. There is no easy fix, no magic bullet. But if you start now, it can only improve.

Things that stop your immune system working are:

• eating unhealthy food (fast, junk, processed, dairy, too much meat, preservatives, colours and so on)


• taking medicine on a regular basis


• having vaccines


• not getting exposed to enough sun


• not taking regular exercise


• drinking too much alcohol

But by far the most important aspect is how you think. If you think negatively, get frightened easily, get angry often or suppress your feelings regularly, your immune system will be badly affected.

Those people who are at peace with themselves don't have compromised immune systems. And they don't get sick very often.

So instead of thinking someone else, other than you, can fix your allergy symptoms, try thinking that you are responsible for your health. It could be the start of a profound journey for you. 

Mold Allergy: Action Steps To Help With Mold Allergy Problems

Molds, also spelled, "moulds" are widespread in the natural environment and in our homes. They form a vital part of nature's plans for recycling biological matter. They are often found in high concentrations on corn and peanuts. Indeed when folks have allergic reactions to these foods it could well be that the reactions are triggered by the mold on the food and not by the corn or peanuts themselves.

Mold and mildew in the home are often found in damp places like kitchens, bathroom and basements. Other places in the home are not exempt. Carpets, mattresses and pillows are often found to have large colonies of mold.

Dealing with mold allergies has to be a balance between taking action in the home to reduce exposure and taking action to improve your health through appropriate lifestyle changes including nutrition.

3 Action Steps in the Home

Before rushing off to the allergist there are lots of practical steps you can take to make your home less welcoming to mold colonies.

• Declutter your living space. Getting rid of piles of clothing, books, newspapers or any other unused item in the home or garage reduces the number of places where mold can hang out and grow colonies. You may want to wear a dust mask or respirator when doing this.


• Cleaning time comes next. It's time to break out the bleach. A cup full of bleach in a bucket of water used to wipe down tiles, window frames and just about anywhere you can reach. The bleach will kill the mold but the surface will need to be cleaned again after wards.


• Running a dehumidifier will help to dry out the home and make it less hospitable to mold.

3 Action Steps for personal health

Before reaching for pharmaceutical medicines, many of which have unwelcome side effects why not use simple safe natural remedies? Here are 3 simple steps you can take.

• Mold can trigger allergy symptoms and asthma so you'll need to be careful to follow any treatment plan worked out for you by your health professional. Symptoms include coughing, sneezing and sinus problems and it may not be obvious that they are caused by mold.


• Natural treatments include sensible doses of vitamin C and quercetin both of which are natural anti-histamines.


• Exposure to sunshine allows the skin to make vitamin D which helps the immune system to balance and not over react to allergens such as mold. As little as 15 minutes of sunshine a day allows your skin to make healthy amounts of vitamin D and leaves you feeling warm and sunny - a boost to health all by itself.

These simple steps can help you reduce the threat of mold to your health.

Pollen Control - 4 Ways To Control Pollen Indoors

Regardless of what kind of pollen sends your allergies into overdrive, there are some common management techniques that can help you minimize your exposure and disruption that often result from pollen allergies.

Change Filters Frequently---The filters for the furnace could benefit from being changed more frequently during pollen season. Having clean filters can drastically reduce the amount of spores that are sent into the air when the blower for heat and conditioning start. The more pollen the filter can trap, the less there is available to be inhaled.

Clean Smarter---Use a vacuum rather than a broom. And a vacuum that has a HEPA or high efficiency particle arresting filter is best because it will prevent particles from escaping back into the air.

Damp cleaning is better than dry cleaning. So rather than using a feather duster or dust cloth, use a damp cloth or mop to gather up pollen and other allergens from surfaces and floors.

Clearing away piles of laundry, books, magazines, and mail as well as limiting the number of knick-knacks will reduce the total surface that pollen and other particulate allergens can settle. Fewer piles will also make it easier to clean thoroughly.

Contain It Quickly---Try designating one area as the entrance particularly during peak season. Dump clothes, shoes, packages in this area and when possible, proceed directly to the shower to remove it from your skin and hair.

Store all clothes that have been worn in the washing machine until they are washed or somewhere that has a top that will not allow particles to be blown into the air.

Filter The Air---It would be nice to think that taking the first 4 precautions in this article would make indoors better, and they will, but only to a certain extent.

Continuous filtration of the air with an air purifier that contains a high efficiency particle arresting (HEPA) filter is one of the most effective ways to clear the air of any pollen that still finds its way inside.

The good news is that the HEPA filter does not care about the source of the allergen. And since by definition it must be able to remove airborne particulates as small as.3 microns, an air cleaner with this type of filter will also be able to remove more normal household triggers such as dust, dust mites, mold and mildew spores, and pet dander.

There is no way to completely eliminate pollen from indoor air. But by using the 5 suggestions above, you can considerably reduce the amount of spores in your indoor air, thus reducing the frequency and often the severity of allergy flare-ups.

The Myth and Truth About Sinus Headaches

If you think you have sinus headaches, think again. The fact is, the idea of sinus headaches is a myth.

There is no such thing as a sinus headache. The fact is, your sinus headache is caused by something associated with your sinuses. What generally happens is that your sinuses become inflamed as the result of an infection or an allergy. This inflammation stops the outflow of mucus which, in turn, causes a pain similar to a headache.

Not a sinus headache but sinusitis
Most people who say they have sinus headaches have headaches caused by a condition called sinusitis. This happens when our ostia - which join our nasal cavities to our paranasal sinuses - become blocked by an allergic inflammation or a swelling of our nasal linings. This can happen as the result of a cold or allergy. When the ostia become blocked, the drainage of our mucus is interrupted and we develop sinusitis. While sinusitis is not a serious illness, it can be very annoying. The symptoms can include bad breath, coughing, fever, nasal congestion, post-nasal drip, fatigue and pain.

Other sinus problems
Actually, you might consider yourself lucky if you do have sinusitis, because there are far worse things that could be affecting your sinuses. For example, the second most common cause of a sinus problem - and sinus headaches - is an allergy such as allergic rhinitis. This occurs when you are allergic to something in your environment - dust, pet dander, mold or pollen. If you're allergic to plant pollen, you have what's usually called hay fever. If so, we don't have to tell you about the sneezing; itchy, watery eyes; swelling; and the runny, stuffy nose caused by hay fever.

Nasal polyps
Allergic rhinitis and sinusitis can also result in nasal polyps. These polyps grow in your nasal passages and sinuses. The most common symptoms of nasal polyps are that you have to breathe through your mouth, having the sensation that your nasal passages are blocked, a runny nose, and a loss of sense of smell. People who have nasal polyps may think that they have a cold that's lasted months or even years - as the symptoms of nasal polyps are so similar to those caused by a cold.

Anosmia
One of the more serious sinus diseases that can occur is anosmia - a loss of the sense of smell. A cold, sinusitis or nasal polyps, as mentioned above, can cause you to lose your sense of smell.If you're lucky, it will be temporary and last just a few days or weeks. This loss of can be permanent if the olfactory receptor neurons in your nose have died.

Is there a fungus up your nose?
If you have or think you have chronic sinusitis, the villain may be a fungus or fungi causing a condition that's known as fungal sinusitis. In 1999, the Mayo Clinic released a study demonstrating that 93% of all chronic sinusitis is actually fungal sinusitis. The simplest explanation of this condition is that it's a delayed immune reaction to mold. If you believe you have chronic sinusitis, the best person to see is an ear, nose and throat specialist (otolaryngologist) as he or she is best qualified to help determine what is causing your problem. In summary, the idea that you are having sinus headaches is a myth. The truth is that there are diseases related to your sinuses that can cause your headaches. So, if you are suffering from headaches related to your sinuses, make sure you get to your health care provider and get to the root of your problem.

Effects of Lifestyle and Exercise Changes on Asthma

Although medications often do have a place for asthmatics, in our usual zeal to reach for the pill first we have neglected other interventions that may play an equal or even greater role in the treatment and prevention of asthma. Inhalers are not as invasive as many oral asthma medications, and steroids, over the short term, can be helpful during a severe attack.

Drugs are often pushed while lifestyle interventions like exercise (which are equally effective based on scientific studies) are ignored and in some cases discouraged. As proof of this the website of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (www.aafa.org) states that, "Exercise-frequently in cold air-is a frequent asthma trigger." Although the site notes that children can exercise with appropriate management, nowhere does it mention the beneficial effects of exercise. All of the treatments listed are medications, and under prevention it lists "take your medication as prescribed" and "identify and minimize contact with your asthma triggers" (one of which is "running, playing, or exercising"!) Why such an emphasis on drugs instead of viable alternatives? The fact that 72% of this particular non-profit foundation's revenue comes from pharmaceutical companies might have something to do with it.

Sean Lucas MD MPH and Thomas Platts-Mills MD PhD from the University of Virginia Asthma and Allergic Diseases Center wrote "...the overwhelming majority of studies demonstrated the capacity for asthmatic subjects to exercise safely and significantly improve their cardiovascular fitness and quality of life...the allergy community has placed emphasis on medical therapy and allergen avoidance...It is our belief that an exercise prescription should be part of the treatment for all cases of asthma."

I believe it is important to encourage outdoor play in children as a preventive measure for asthma. As Lucas and Platts-Mills write, "The real question is whether prolonged physical activity and, in particular, outdoor play of children plays a role in prophylaxis against persistent wheezing. If so the decrease in physical activity might have played a major role in recent increases in asthma prevalence and severity."

Allergic asthma can also be treated via avoidance of triggers in the home and environment such as pet dander, mold, dust mites, cockroaches, tree and plant pollen in spring, second hand smoke, perfumes, and chemicals, including those found in standard household cleaning products. Wash bedding on a regular basis, decrease humidity, check air conditioning units for mold, minimize dust, keep pets outside (or don't have one), use an air conditioner (but clean its filter on a regular basis), shower before bed to remove pollen, keep food sealed to decrease insects, and change filters in blown air cooling and heating systems.

Your doctor can test you and identify your triggers. This involves exposure to a number of potential allergens and then measuring the inflammatory response. Once you have identified the plants, foods, molds, chemicals or animals you are allergic to you can avoid them. In addition, your doctor can perform tests to determine how much of the immunoglobulin IgE you have that is specifically oriented to different potential allergens. These tests are low risk and can provide useful information for deciding on treatment and lifestyle changes.

A number of studies have shown a relationship between psychological stress and asthma. Using relaxation techniques, like deep breath, progressive muscle relaxation, and meditation, can be useful in preventing asthma attacks. Still, for many individuals with chronic asthma, medication is a requirement.

Lucas SR, Platts-Mills TAE (2005): Physical activity and exercise in asthma: Relevance to etiology and treatment. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 115:928-934.

Steam Will Clean and Sanitise, Kill Bed Bugs, Mould and Bacteria

Steam will clean and sanitize, and will also kill bed bugs & their eggs, dust mites, bacteria, mold and remove the toughest dirt, grime and grease from all surfaces including floors, toilets, showers, kitchens, carpets, upholstery, without the use of dangerous and smelly chemicals.

Note the spraying of chemicals will kill the bugs but not their eggs as it cannot penetrate their casing.

Using a steam vacuum machine it is one of the most hygienic ways to clean and sanitize most areas of the house, and is proven to kill 98% of dust mites and neutralizes their allergens, which makes steam a perfect solution for asthma and allergy sufferers.

Using a Vacuum cleaner sometimes let small particles of dirt and dust they suck back into the air proving terrible for people prone to allergies; when steam cleaning this is reduced considerably. The use of steam is replacing other harmful chemicals used in cleaning materials.

Not only can these chemicals be harmful to you but if there are young children in the house, it limits the possibility of poisoning and an allergic reaction. Steam cleaning health benefits are obvious but it will also save you considerable money.

It will also greatly reduce the use of mops, vacuum cleaners and other traditional cleaning tools. You will also reduce the use of cleaning chemicals used on a monthly basis. Steam cleaning also has environmental benefits as harmful chemicals are no longer washed down sinks and drains which is a huge contributing factor in terms of polluting the environment.

Where can you use dry steam?

Around the house: Kill bed bugs and their eggs as well as dust mites and allergens, clean carpet, upholstery, sanitize and deodorize as you clean for fresher, cleaner smelling rooms.

Kitchen: Cleans bench tops, stainless steel, and remove grease from walls, floors, ceilings, ovens, range hoods almost every nook and cranny.

Bathrooms: kills mold and bacteria, clean glass streak free, kills germs around toilet bowls and seats, and leaves tiles sparkling, all with no chemical smells.

Other uses of steam

Dry steam cleaning reaches into the tiniest cracks and crevices. Drives dirt and germs from areas that other cleaning methods cannot reach. Removes baked on grease from stoves, ovens, cooker hoods and fryers Kills & removes mold, mildew, fungus, bacteria and the odors that they cause. Clean stainless steel fridges, bench tops remove chewing gum from concrete, carpet and upholstery.

So if you are suffering from a bed bug or dust mite infestation, you or someone in your family is Asthma or allergy sufferer, Steam cleaning could help solve your problem.