Month: November 2017

5 Common Household Items that Can Expire

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Everyone knows their food products have expiration dates and when to dispose of them. Besides the expiration date, it’s easy to identify if your food has gone bad. Seeing mold on your cheese or smelling a foul odor on your meat are sure signs to throw them away. However, do you know when other household goods expire? Often, people don’t consider the shelf life of non-food products in their home. Knowing when to replace common household items is important when keeping your home safe from contaminants and mold. Some household goods even have shorter lifespans than food. Dallas/Fort Worth homeowners must be mindful of the expiration dates of ALL their goods. The experts at RestoPros have compiled a list of common items that do expire – and should be replaced to avoid sickness or injury.

  1. Toothbrushes

  • A toothbrush is littered with bacteria after regular use, and letting its shelf life go unnoticed can have unpleasant consequences.
  • Toothbrushes usually last about 3 months, and subsequently should be thrown away and replaced.
  • Expired toothbrushes eventually lose the strength of their bristles, which means they can no longer clean your teeth as well.
  • Looser bristles allow bacteria and mold to grow and infect your toothbrush.
  • Not only will an old toothbrush not clean your teeth well, it may make you sick from the bacteria and mold.
  • Speaking of sickness, replace your toothbrush immediately after having an illness to prevent getting sick from previous germs.

  1. Shoes

  • Shoes are meant to protect your feet, meaning they must survive harsh conditions consistently.
  • Generally, shoes last about 2-5 years, with notable wear often occurring after this window.
  • Shoes contain leather, rubber, glue, and other materials that decay over time.
  • After consistent use, shoes will lose the adhesive from parts that have been glued.
  • Moisture seeps easier into damaged shoes, leading to mold growth that can also infect your socks and feet.
  • Wearing older, worn shoes gives your feet little protection, and can cause athlete’s foot if they are infected with mold.

  1. Bed Pillows

  • Bed pillows are met with hair, body oils, food, pets, and much more.
  • Bed pillows should be replaced 18 to 24 months, and doing so will keep them fresh and allergen-free.
  • Pillows spend a lot of time in dark areas, and are more susceptible to mold growth when in proximity to high humidity or water.
  • Old bed pillows attract bugs and bacteria to your bed, meaning your covers and mattress can also be infected with mold and bacteria.

  1. Kitchen Sponges

  • The sponge is the main tool for cleaning your kitchenware, and must be prepared for the job.
  • Since kitchen sponges deal with countless amounts of bacteria, they only last about 2-3 weeks before needing replacement.
  • Kitchen sponges older than about a month tend to be torn and have little scrubbing power.
  • Mold and bacteria easily grow on kitchen sponges after prolonged use.
  • Cleaning with old kitchen sponges takes longer to scrub away dishes, and may dirty the kitchenware even more.

  1. Bath Towels

  • Bath Towels last anywhere from 5-10 years, but their lifespan decreases when misused or improperly placed.
  • Towels are meant to soak up liquids from whatever they touch, and they build up bacteria over the years.
  • Properly cleaning your bath towels works great to maintain their lifespan, but some germs don’t go away.
  • Old bath towels have a greater chance to grow mold, especially if left in dark rooms when damp.
  • Leaving old towels on the floors can spread the mold to your floor or carpet, leading to bigger problems than a moldy towel.

Knowing when these common household items expire can easily prevent health risks and mold damage. If you have noticed your home contaminated with any mold, contact RestoPros immediately. We offer premium mold remediation services to DFW homeowners, and provide guidance on the best mold prevention practices. Give us a call at 855-587-3786 to schedule a professional assessment today!

Keep your Thanksgiving Turkey Fresh (and Mold Free!)

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Thanksgiving is ready to fill the house with family – stomachs full of food! The holiday revolves around reflection of what we are most thankful for – as well as celebrating the harvest (a.k.a feasting on favorite dishes). The centerpiece of many meals this holiday will be the turkey, a choice both nostalgic and traditional. While Thanksgiving has evolved to include many different diets and cultural traditions, a turkey is still the star in homes across the U.S.

If the turkey is the star, the grateful diners are the rabid fans, except the cameras and microphones are replaced with silverware and gravy. To ensure this “star” continues to entertain during the inevitable sandwiches, soups and other leftover variations, RestoPros has come up with some solutions for keeping it fresh (and free from mold) until it has been enjoyed by everyone.

Follow the steps below and keep your turkey delicious throughout the extended break!

Clean Out Your Refrigerator and Freezer

  • Before buying a turkey, you must have a clean environment to store it in.
  • Whether you’re thawing or freezing your turkey, its habitat must be uncontaminated and mold-free.
  • Clear out all contents of your fridge before cleaning.
  • Throw away any food that has expired.
  • Take out the shelves and wipe them thoroughly with baking soda and water.
  • If you need to clean the interior of your fridge, stay away from bleach or other toxic chemicals. A mixture of vinegar and water is a good solution for keeping the inside clean.

Keep Your Uncooked Turkey Sealed and Isolated

  • As with any raw poultry, turkey can easily cross-contaminate with other foods in your fridge.
  • Food poisoning with raw turkey is a two-way street, as it can both infect and be infected by other foods.
  • Some mold is hard to detect, and seemingly harmless foods could contaminate your turkey.
  • When you are unthawing your turkey in the fridge, make sure it is kept in a tight bag or container to ensure it doesn’t contaminate the interior (or other foods).

Thaw the Turkey Properly

  • Properly thawing a turkey involves a bit of planning before Thanksgiving.
  • Measure your turkey’s weight, as this will determine how long to thaw it.
  • For every 4 pounds, the turkey requires 24 hours of thawing in the fridge.
  • If a turkey weighs 20 pounds, then it requires 5 days to thaw.
  • Properly thawing your turkey ensure that it cooks evenly, tastes delicious and doesn’t make anyone sick.

Proper Cleaning

  • After you cook your turkey, do not put it on the same platter/cookware used to transport it uncooked.
  • Make sure that you wash (in hot water) all the cookware used to transport/cook the turkey before you reuse.
  • Immediately wash all the countertops exposed to the uncooked turkey.

Leftover Mindfulness

  • After you have eaten your feast, cut the rest of the turkey into slices and place in an airtight container. Try not to use plastic bags as their seal can sometimes break – or not close entirely.
  • The USDA recommends eating your cooked leftovers within three to four days.
  • If you aren’t planning on eating leftovers immediately, consider freezing the leftovers to avoid spoilage.

On Thanksgiving, the star of the show should be treated with the respect it deserves. Make sure that it stays around for the leftovers enjoyed throughout the holiday. These easy steps should help keep the turkey meat fresh and tasty until the last sandwich has been made. RestoPros hope that you and your family have a joyous and enjoyable holiday. Remember that if you have any problems with mold infestation or water leakage, our professionals work around the clock. Call us at 855-587-3786 for emergency service or to schedule an appointment today!

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Black Mold: What Is It & How Does It Affect Your Home & Health?

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black mold

Black mold is a common industry term used by experts in the field and, more recently, by concerned homeowners. The name sounds threatening, like something you would hear in a horror movie. ‘Everyone get out of the theater! The black mold is coming!’ It has been the subject of erroneous internet rumors, backed by misinformation about its toxicity and its effects on a household.

While all residential mold should be taken seriously, it’s important to deal with any infestation with factual information. A good starting point is to remember to treat all mold the same. Do not attempt to clean or investigate mold without the proper safeguards – including gloves and a face mask. Always abide by safety precautions and contact a professional mold remediation company (such as RestoPros) immediately if an infestation has gotten out of control.

What Is Black Mold?

  • Stachbotrys chartarum, also known as Stachbotrys atra, is often referred to as black mold.
  • Stachbotrys chartarum is a mold that produces mycotoxins, which are toxic substances released by a fungus.
  • Houses and buildings with water damage and dark areas are the preferred locations for Stachbotrys chartarum to grow and reproduce.
  • Contaminated plant material entering your house can cause this mold to grow as well.
  • Although this mold is not as common as other household molds, it is not rare either.
  • Other molds can be black in color, but Stachbotrys chartarum is most associated with the name.

How Dangerous Is Black Mold?

  • Tons of speculation surround the dangers of black mold, describing it as toxic and sometimes deadly.
  • No scientific evidence has concluded Stachbotrys chartarum is a severe health risk to most people, but allergy and sickness symptoms may arise from the mycotoxins it produces.
  • Although there is little scientific evidence that links black mold to inflammatory responses, mycotoxins have been documented to cause headaches, nasal congestion, and chronic coughing.
  • Infants, elderly, and those with weak immune systems can have more severe symptoms from mycotoxin exposure, and should be removed from areas infected with black mold.

Can Black Mold be Identified?

  • With over 100,000 different types of mold, it’s often difficult to determine which kind is in your home.
  • Black is a very common color for all mold, making it a challenge to identify Stachbotrys chartarum.
  • Check any areas of your home that are dark and have moisture, and focus on finding all mold.
  • A single room in your house can have several types of mold living there, making it less important to identify than to remove outright.
  • All types of invasive mold should be treated and removed by mold remediation professionals.

Black mold is not the toxic horror show that many have been led to believe. However, any mold outbreak in your home should be treated with both caution and immediacy. If you have mold growing in your home, contact RestoPros immediately. We can respond quickly to mold outbreaks and mold damage and have been helping our neighbors in the Dallas/Fort Worth area for years. Give us a call at 855-587-3786 to schedule an appointment with the most trusted mold remediation company in the metroplex.

10 Warning Signs of Mattress Mold

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A large part of your life is spent on a mattress. After all, it is an object that is meant for both health and comfort. Unfortunately, mold does not care about either of those things, and will gladly invite itself to your bed. In Dallas/Fort Worth, rapidly changing weather conditions can heighten the chances of encountering mold, even in your mattress. Seeking and catching early signs of mold in your mattress is key to preventing further contamination. Your efforts to identify the signs can keep you healthy, save you money and ensure a good night’s sleep.

Below are 10 warning signs that your mattress may have mold.

  1. Your Mattress is Commonly in a Humid and Dark Environment
  • Mold requires a humid, dark habitat to survive and reproduce.
  • If your mattress is consistently in an environment like this, then mold may have formed in or around it.
  1. Water has Come into Contact with Your Mattress
  • Whether it be water from a flood or drops of your own sweat, your mattress will soak up the liquid.
  • Water and moisture in your mattress causes mold to grow, especially if the liquids have been lingering for a considerable amount of time.
  1. There is a Musty, Pungent Smell Coming from Your Mattress
  • Often times mold produces odors that have a musty, pungent scent.
  • If you can smell an unpleasant odor in or around your mattress, then mold has most likely formed.
  1. Random Stains are Forming on Your Mattress
  • Mold reproduces and spreads as much as it can, and your mattress is nothing but a canvas to the contamination.
  • If you are noticing stains suddenly appearing on your mattress with no plausible explanation, then it may be mold spreading around your bed.
  1. The Colors of your Mattress Stains are Multi-Colored
  • Mold can have different variations of colors, but most commonly will have variations of black, gray, and brown.
  • Although not as common, mold can also be white or yellow, and occasionally will have more unique colors such as blue, green, or pink.
  1. Your Mattress is Old
  • An aged mattress has gone through a lot, often having been in contact several different substances.
  • If your mattress is over ten years old, chances are that mold has formed, or is more prevalent to form.
  1. You’re Getting Sick More Frequently
  • If your mattress has mold, then laying on it for long periods of time can exacerbate sinus and respiratory allergies as well as cause cold and flu symptoms in those who have immune deficiencies.
  • If you notice yourself getting sick frequently, it could be from the mold in your mattress.
  1. You’re not Sleeping Properly
  • Sleeping with mold on a mattress can easily disrupt a proper resting schedule, causing uncomfortable sleep patterns throughout the night.
  • The potential reason you have not been sleeping well could be from mold growing in your mattress.
  1. Bugs are Attracted to Your Mattress Area
  • Bugs such as fruit flies and gnats are heavily attracted to mold.
  • If you’re noticing bugs around your mattress, then it may be mold drawing them to it.
  1. Mold is in Other Areas of the Room
  • Mold can spread through air, water, or vulnerable objects.
  • If mold has been persistent in the same room as your mattress, then most likely the mattress has been exposed to enough mold for contamination.

Do not let mold in your mattress go unnoticed. It can be detrimental to both your health and your entire household. Once you identify there is a problem, then it is time to act. If your mattress or any other part of your home has become contaminated with mold, consult with RestoPros immediately. We are a home restoration and remediation company with a strong focus on eliminating and repairing mold damage. Our team consists of fully licensed technicians with several years of experience in restoring all aspects of mold and water damage. We can accurately assess the problem and offer the best solution for your home. If you are in the need of our restoration services, or would like a free estimate, give us a call at 855-587-3786 to schedule an appointment.