mold

Along with being unsightly, mold can be a health hazard, causing symptoms such as headaches and stuffy noses upon exposure. And anywhere there's moisture, there is the potential for mold. Stay smart with helpful tips and facts about pesky mold that will keep your house sparkling and you healthy.

What is mold? Molds are fungi that grow and thrive in moist, dark, and warm environments. Neither plant nor animal, fungi are their own special thing, with a kingdom dedicated to these unique organisms. Along with tasty mushrooms, fungi are responsible for the creations of yeast and penicillin. At least 100,000 species of fungi have been discovered, with many more yet to be found. Mold spores are everywhere, and any substance that contains carbon atoms will support mold growth — even the oil from your skin that's left when you touch surfaces.

What causes mold? Mold thrives in the presence of lots of moisture, so bathrooms and kitchens are the first spots you may find moldy areas in your home. But a small roof leak or a dripping toilet can introduce moisture to your home, inviting mold to grow in areas that you might not be able to see. Even your carpet is susceptible to mold growth. For mold to grow, there needs to be mold spores in the area; a food source for the mold to grow, such as wood, drywall, or fabric; and a dark, warm, and moist environment with air flow. Humidity, leaking pipes, and even condensation from your toilet tank can breed mold.

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Mold gets a bad rap, and for good reason. That black infestation creeping around your bathroom, basement, or other humid room is not only unsightly but also can be hazardous to your health. If it spreads too much, the spores circulate around your home (including dry areas) and get into your airways. If you have sensitivities or allergies to the stuff, breathing in too much mold can mean stuffy noses, irritated eyes and skin, or wheezing — or, more seriously, fever and shortness of breath. It can also trigger asthma attacks.

Even if you are healthy, however, mold is a problem. A recent study found that healthy people experienced coughing and wheezing when exposed to mold, and it can also cause lung infections or other chronic problems. And while there are several different types of common household molds, there's no need to try to figure out which one you have — if you see mold, you've got a mold problem! So what can you do to make sure your house is healthy and mold-free? Read on for tips on dealing with mold.

Sometimes, even when we do our best to destroy germs in our home, they know the right places to hide and fester. Damp environments like bathrooms and kitchens are the perfect places for bacteria to thrive. In order to keep our homes healthy and happy, there are a few common items that should be replaced regularly. Check out the list below to see if it's time for any of your items to get dumped.

• Bath sponges: These have the great honor of potentially spreading mold and bacteria all over your body, so you should wring them out and dry them after each use. Loofahs should be replaced every month because the bacteria can grow in their nooks and crannies easily, but synthetic sponges are more resistant and can last up to eight weeks.
• Kitchen sponges: Cleaning, nuking, and drying out your kitchen sponges between washes will help keep them bacteria-free, but you should throw out heavily used sponges every two weeks, or up to eight weeks for those used less vigorously.
• Toothbrushes: It's always a good idea to toss your toothbrush after you get over a sickness, and in general, replace yours every three months.
• Mattresses: These should be replaced every seven years since any uneven sagging can cause you to have trouble sleeping, not to mention their permanent collection of dust, dirt, and allergens.
• Cutting boards. While there's no set time limit for when to replace your cutting boards, you should toss them if you notice discolored grooves, deep clean them regularly, and don't forget to use a separate one for raw meat!

Source: Flickr User Minimalist Photography

The other day, a co-worker asked me whether it was OK to eat a piece of cheese that had grown slightly moldy. That question sparked a discussion on how to handle moldy foods. Can you ever simply cut off the bad parts and proceed to eat the rest? Find out the answer when you read more