How Can I Prevent an Allergic Reaction to Mould?

In order to understand to truly get your mould allergy under control, let us look more in depth into about mould and how it can impacts on us!
Firstly, you should know that Mould is a fungus and as such they produce spores. These reproductive spores make their way into the air if they are disturbed. Some mould spread when the weather is dry and windy outside. Other types of mould may be spread when there is dew or fog. Since it is so easy to come in contact with mould, we have come up with a suggested list of measures that you can take to prevent a mould allergy reaction.

Reduce exposure to mould spores when outdoors

This is a fundamental tip. If you know that mould counts are high, you should limit your outdoor activities until it improves. As such you will inhale fewer spores and your mould allergy will be milder or not be triggered at all if you are lucky. Of course, life does not stop just because you have a mould allergy, so we recommend that you wear a dust mask if you are going to do yard work like picking up leaves, potting around your plants or cutting grass. This will provide protection from a full-blown mould spore onslaught.

Reduce exposure to mould spores when indoors

So, we know that mould spores can make there way into our homes from the outdoors. However, mould can grow in your home as well. Mould can grow in wallpaper, insulation, drywall, fabric, carpet and upholstered furniture. We recommend that you install central air conditioning with a HEPA filter. All the mould spores in your house will be trapped by the HEPA filter. This type of filter is more effective than freestanding air cleaners since they only address a limited area. Devices that treat the air with ozone or heat electrostatic ions are also ineffective for a mould allergy.

Lower the humidity in your home

This is a crucial measure that will definitely help you eliminate mould spores in your home. Air cleaners will only be partly effective if there is excess moisture in the air. Humidity should be below 45 percent in your home, but lower than 35 percent is even more effective when it comes to a mould allergy. You can also monitor humidity in your home with a hygrometer.

Clean your Humidifier and service your air conditioners regularly

If you use a humidifier, it needs to be maintained religiously. The fluid reservoir can be a breathing ground for mould. Always remember to clean the collection bucket and the condensation coils. You should keep your service appointments for your air conditioners. Your AC technician will clean your entire air conditioner including your filters removing any mould that is present in the system.

Use a room by room approach to reduce mould growth

In order to really minimize mould in your home, you may need to take different actions depending on the room that you are in. Firstly, we will start with an overview, i.e. the steps you should take regarding your home generally.
Entire house/ apartment – In order to discourage mould growth, you should make sure that your house has a good airflow through it. In order to facilitate this, you should open up doors and windows. Fans also help to circulate the air in your home. Moving your furniture away from the wall also deters the growth of mould.
Another area that may need attention is the roof. Leaks in the roof and gutters could lead to mouldy ceiling tiles. It is also a good idea to remove all leaves and other debris that may have accumulated in your gutters. Always be on the lookout for moisture in your home, especially the bathroom, laundry room and basement.
Bathroom – If you have carpeting/rugs in your bathroom, make sure that they are not in an area where they are constantly being soaked. We recommend tiles in your bathroom to avoid this.
In order to prevent moisture accumulation in your bathroom, you should open a window or use the exhaust fan when you are having a bath or a shower.
Mould can start growing on your tiles and grout in your shower, bathtub or around your sink if you don’t not fastidiously clean at least once a month. If you can clean it more often even better. There are also bathroom cleaners that are specially formulated to repel mould. We recommend that you use one to help keep your mould allergy at bay. You should also repair any plumbing leaks that crop as soon as possible.
Kitchen – To minimize moisture and by extension mould in your kitchen, you should always use your exhaust fan when cooking or washing dishes. Your garbage pails should be cleaned regularly. You may have noticed mould accumulation on your refrigerator door gaskets. They need to be wiped at least once a week. The drip pan under your refrigerator can often be forgotten. Don’t forget to wash it out regularly. Any leaks that occur should be repaired as soon as possible.
Laundry room – To deter the growth of mould in your laundry room, you might consider:Always remove clothes from your washing machine and transfer them to your dryer or your clotheslines in a timely manner.
If you own a front-load washing machine, water can accumulate along the rubber seal. Depending on how often you use your washing machine, you may need to make cleaning the rubber seal a weekly routine. Leave your washing machine open when you are not using it so that it air dries. It will also help if your laundry room is well ventilated.
Bedroom – Your bed is a primary target for mould, so be sure a waterproof mattress cover. In addition, you might want to consider a mattress that is hypoallergenic.
Don’t keep clutter in your bedroom, get rid of old books, newspapers and old sheets. Also, check your windows for condensation. You should also open your windows in your bedroom when the Singapore weather permits. If your closets tend to have a buildup of moisture, leave the doors open.
Basement – For those of you whom lives overseas and have a basement in your home, do note that this area of the house is particularly suspectable to mould. To prevent damp conditions in your basement, design your drainage in such a way that water is pulled away from your house. Also, remove any leaves that have accumulated around your house’s foundation. If there are any leaks in your basement, they should be addressed swiftly.
We hope that these tips help you prevent any future mould allergy reactions. However, if symptoms persist do not hesitate to discuss further with us.