Category: Home Cleaning

Mold Allergies and Homeopathic Solutions

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There are few things more exhausting to cope with than allergies. From springtime sneeze attacks to missing out on playing with your friend’s new puppy, allergies keep you from many things. However, if you suffer from mold allergies, you face daily triggers that are everywhere, and don’t disappear with springtime. Are you looking for simpler methods to ease your day-to-day symptoms? Well, the experts at RestoPros are here to help by telling you about some common mold allergies and homeopathic solutions.

Identifying Your Mold Allergies:

First of all, you must identify the type of mold that’s causing the reaction. Moreover, it’s important to identify the type of mold so you can understand the symptoms that come with exposure. Therefore, to help you navigate your own symptoms, here are some common mold allergies:

1. Alternaria Allergy

•  Characteristics:

Dark green, black, or grey with long velvety hairs, Alternaria is a mold that requires very little moisture to grow.

•  Where it Grows:

Because it requires minimal moisture to grow, Alternaria is commonly found on carpets, clothing, basements, windows, and doors.

•  Symptoms:

If you’re suffering from exposure to this type of mold, you’ll experience symptoms similar to hay fever. In addition to the hay fever symptoms, you may also experience respiratory problems and asthma.

2. Aspergillus Allergy

•  Characteristics:

Because it can be grey, brown, yellow, green, white, or black, Aspergillus is often tricky to identify from other molds. That being said, this type of mold grows very quickly once the spores are released.

•  Where it Grows:

Although Aspergillus mold grows quickly, it does require more moisture than Alternaria. As a prevalent household mold, it grows in walls, soil, insulation, basements, and clothing.

•  Exposure Symptoms:

Particularly harmful to people with weakened immune systems, such as young children and the elderly, Aspergillus can cause serious infections. Releasing aflatoxin, a chemical that can cause liver damage and cancer, Aspergillus is one of the more dangerous household molds to encounter.

3. Cladosporium Allergy

 • Characteristics:

With a powdery texture and grey, brown, or black in color, Cladosporium can have dark-pigmented conidia that occur in simple or branching chains.

•  Where it Grows:

As a mold that can grow on both dead and living matter, it is commonly found on food, dead plants, insulation, wood, and dark, damp environments, such as basements.

•  Exposure Symptoms:

If exposed to Cladosporium, you may experience allergic reactions similar to hay fever. This can include dry skin, sneezing, runny nose, scratchy throat, coughing, and watery eyes. On the more severe end, you could also suffer asthma attacks, fungal sinusitis, tightness in your chest, and difficulty breathing.

4. Memnoniella Allergy

•  Characteristics:

Although very similar to Stachybotrys, Memnoniella mold is smaller and is usually a dark green or black color.

•  Where it Grows:

Growing in damp areas like bathrooms and basements, Memnoniella can also be found on cotton, wool, canvas, walls, and ceilings.

•  Exposure Symptoms:

While this mold is less common and poses a lesser health risk than others, you can experience severe symptoms. Most commonly, these symptoms include respiratory problems, coughing, and headaches.

5. Penicillium Allergy

•  Characteristics:

With over 300 species, Penicillium mold is typically blue or green. Named after the Latin word for paintbrush, the spores of Penicillium form into what closely resembles a paintbrush.

•  Where it Grows:

As a mold that has been identified world-wide, Penicillium can grow anywhere. From air and soil to leather, food, and insulation, this is a prevalent household mold.

•  Exposure Symptoms:

Although Penicillium has saved countless lives, there are species of Penicillium that produce toxic compounds. If a mold-sensitive individual is exposed to the spores, they can experience congestion, eye irritation, and coughing. If food with Penicillium mold is ingested, it will also irritate the stomach.

6. Stachybotrys Allergy

•  Characteristics:

More notoriously known as toxic black mold, Stachybotrys is dark green or black in color with a slimy texture.

•  Where it Grows:

Because it thrives on material with a high cellulose and low nitrogen content, Stachybotrys is commonly found on fiberboard, gypsum board, paper, dust, and lint. Therefore, this toxic mold can grow in walls, ceilings, and floorboards as long as there is consistent moisture present.

•  Exposure Symptoms:

As its commonly-known name denotes, Stachybotrys can cause severe headaches, asthma, dizziness, and joint pain. In addition to the physical symptoms, it can cause fatigue and mental impairment. Furthermore, exposure to Stachybotrys has been linked to cancer, internal organ failure, and multiple deaths infant deaths. 

Homeopathic Solutions

Although general practitioner-prescribed medicines address the symptoms of mold allergies, they often miss the mark in tackling the cause. Moreover, many of these medications come with a laundry list of unwanted side effects. As a result, you may start to wonder if the mold allergies are worse than the side effects of the medication.

Rather than just address the symptoms, you can explore homeopathic solutions. As a better long-term option, homeopathic solutions tackle mold allergies from within, alleviating the stress on your immune system. To lay out some natural alternatives, here are some homeopathic solutions to explore:

1. Change Up Your Diet

For many mold allergy sufferers, the exposure doesn’t end with airborne spores. In fact, many foods contain mold spores that can wreak havoc on your immune system, if you’re mold sensitive. Consequently, simple changes in your diet can produce dramatic results in lessening your symptoms. Here are some examples of the diet changes you can make:

Remove These Foods from Your Diet:

  • Mushrooms
  • Cheese
  • Pickles
  • Sour Cream
  • Vinegar
  • Buttermilk
  • Beer
  • Wine
  • High-Yeast Breads, like Pumpernickel
  • Sauerkraut
  • Soy Sauce
  • Pickled and Smoked Meats
  • Dried Fruit
  • Processed, Canned, and Bottled Foods
  • High Sugar Fruits, like pineapple, mango, bananas, melons, oranges, and grapes

Add These Foods to Your Diet:

  • Pastured and organic animal products, like beef, bison, lamb, veal, wild-caught seafood, poultry, and pastured eggs
  • Ginger, garlic, cayenne, and horseradish
  • Organic fresh fruit, like berries, apples, lemons, limes
  • Yeast-Free Breads, such as flatbreads and tortillas
  • Low-Carb veggies, like broccoli, spinach, kale, cabbage, arugula, cauliflower, cucumber, peppers, tomatoes, beets, carrots, yams, onions, leeks, asparagus, garlic, and artichokes.
  • Raw nuts and seeds, like sunflower, pumpkin, flax, and chia seeds, and low mold nuts like almonds
  • Extra virgin olive oil, coconut milk, coconut oil, organic butter, and avocados.
  • Filtered water, non-fruity herbal teas, mineral water, fresh veggie juice, low-mold alcohols like vodka and gin.

2. Add Some Herbs and Supplements

Another homeopathic measure to alleviate your symptoms is adding beneficial herbs and supplements to your diet. Here are some to include:

  • Garlic
  • Pau d’arco
  • Oregano Oil
  • Tea Tree Oil
  • Ginger
  • Apple Cider Vinegar
  • Grapefruit Seed Extract
  • Turmeric
  • Powdered Licorice
  • Lemongrass Oil
  • Berberine
  • Echinacea Angustifolia (Purple Coneflower)
  • Grape Seed Extract
  • Aloe Vera
  • Chamomile
  • Tannate Plant Extracts
  • Flaxseed Oil
  • Bioflavonoids
  • Probiotics
  • Vitamin C, A, and E
  • Zinc

3. Explore Some Herbal Medicine

In order to relieve your symptoms with more natural methods, you can explore some herbal medicines. Here are a few to consider:

  • Dong Quai
  • This serves as an effective anti-inflammatory and antihistamine.
  • Eyebright – Use this medicine to reduce congestion, as well as itchy eyes and sneezing.
  • Gingko – Containing bioflavonoids, this medicine is also an antihistamine and anti-inflammatory.
  • Milk Thistle – In addition to reducing allergic, inflammatory, and histaminic reactions, milk thistle supports your liver function.
  • Red clover – This medicine serves as a resistance-builder to mold.
  • Yarrow – Yarrow alleviates congestion and reduces secretion.
  • Stinging nettles – Stinging nettles are another anti-inflammatory and antihistamine.

4. Take Some Natural Remedies

If you’re looking for a way to fortify your immune system against mold, here are some natural remedies to explore:

ThyroLiver Protect

  • To help detoxify your liver and support the production of glutathione, take 1-2 caps, twice a day of ThyroLiver Protect. Using selenium, milk thistle extract, Alpha-Lipoic Acid, and N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine, this medicine helps your liver neutralize and process mold spores.

Super Glutathione

  • For added support to your liver and digestive tract, take 1-2 caps, twice a day of Super Glutathione.

Coconut Charcoal

  • To help your digestive tract detoxify mold spores, use 1-2 caps of coconut charcoal between meals and before bed.

Allium Cepa

  • Use this supplement to help with discharge from your eyes and nose, and to alleviate hoarseness.

Euphrasia

  • To alleviate discharge from your eyes and nose, a dry cough, sneezing, and diarrhea, take Euphrasia.

Natrum Muriaticum

  • For discharge from your eyes, cold sores, a loss of your sense of taste and smell, and headaches, take natrum muriaticum.

Wyethia

  • WWith Wyethia, you can alleviate extreme itchiness in the nose and throat, a swollen throat, and blocked nasal passages.

Nux Vomica

  • If you have a runny nose during the day and a dry nose at night, Nux Vomica may be what you need. Additionally, it can relieve sneeze attacks and outdoor reactions to pollen.

5. Reduce Exposure

Keep Your House Clean

Most harmful indoor mold growth starts with dust, dander, and moisture. Therefore, your best bet at keeping mold at bay in is keeping a clean home. This means regularly dusting and vacuuming with a HEPA filter vacuum to eliminate dust and dirt. Furthermore, you should keep damp places like your bathrooms, kitchen, and basement clean and dry.

Reduce Humidity Levels

Another important way to keep your home mold-free is regulating the humidity levels. In order to best track and control indoor humidity, we recommend purchasing a hygrometer and dehumidifier. In fact, many dehumidifiers contain a built-in hygrometer, allowing you to easily measure and maintain a healthy level of humidity.

Keep Outside Spores Outside

In order to avoid bringing harmful mold spores into your home, there are plenty of simple measures you can take. Since many mold spores are found in piles of leaves, grass, and dirt, your shoes can track them into your house. Therefore, you can avoid bringing them inside by taking off and leaving your shoes by the door. Also, you should wash your clothes and shower each evening, so you’re not taking any lingering spores to bed with you.

Filter Your Air

Because mold is everywhere, it’s impossible to avoid bringing it into your home. However, you can eliminate a large portion of it from your air. With the right air filtration system, you can breathe easy with clean, mold-free air. Additionally, there are many different air purifiers on the market with HEPA filters that are very effective in providing mold-free air.

Invest in Some Houseplants

One of our favorite natural ways to remove mold spores from your home air is keeping some purifying houseplants. In many cases, certain houseplants can even help improve conditions for asthma sufferers. For some 2-in-1 natural relief, here are some plants to consider keeping:

  • Peace Lilies
  • Mums
  • Spider Plants
  • Bamboo Palm
  • Areca Palm
  • Dracaena Plants
  • Snake Plants
  • Boston Fern
  • Aloe Plants

Stop Mold in Its Tracks with RestoPros

Although you can treat your mold allergies with homeopathic solutions, there are preventative measures you can take to keep a mold-free home. With our knowledgeable mold removal experts, the team at RestoPros is dedicated to helping residents of the DFW area fight back against mold. For help from mold removal experts you can trust, call us today at 855-587-3786 or fill out a service request form on our website!

5 Common Air Quality Problems in Your House: A Room to Room Guide

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According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the top five air quality problems in the U.S. are with our indoor air. To help you counteract these pollutants, the experts at RestoPros are here to tell you about these 5 common air quality problems in your house with a room to room guide!

1. Excessive Moisture

First of all, we want to discuss the effects of excessive moisture on your home’s air quality. Although it is one of the most overlooked air quality problems, excessive moisture is also one of the most detrimental ones. As such, excessive moisture can lead to serious issues in the following rooms of your house:

  • Bathrooms

Even if you use your exhaust fans and keep your bathrooms well ventilated, moisture still tends to thrive in these areas. In bathrooms, moisture buildup occurs in towels, bath mats, shower curtains and linings, walls, floors, and ceilings. With this moisture comes mildew, mold, and dust mites, all of which pose serious threats to the air you and your family breathe.

  • Kitchen

Another area in your home that can be affected by excessive moisture is your kitchen. Because of the steam-releasing activities you do in your kitchen like running the dishwasher, cooking on the stove, and baking in the oven, the presence of moisture is a given. When these activities increase the humidity levels in the air, it facilitates off-gassing of toxins in furniture and cleaning products.

  • Laundry Room

As another area to monitor for excessive moisture, your laundry room can develop high humidity levels. Many times, laundry rooms are not as well-ventilated as they should be, allowing the heat from your dryer to meet the moist, cool air from your washer to create steam. Consequently, condensation can build up on your laundry room walls, cabinets, and windows, providing the ideal breeding ground for mold, mildew, and dust mites.

  • Basement

One of the most obvious rooms in your home that can have excessive moisture problems is the basement. As you probably know, water can be transported into your basement through leaks in the foundation, plumbing pipes, or cracks in the floor. Therefore, the air quality in your basement can easily become compromised by mold spores and mildew.

2. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Next on the list of common indoor air quality problems are VOCs. Including a range of evaporated substances from formaldehyde, gasoline, pesticides, and cooking processes, these harmful compounds can infiltrate your air in many forms. Furthermore, certain body odors are VOCs that can also affect your indoor air quality. Here are some rooms of your house that are likely to contain VOCs:

  • Laundry Room

As the first room on our list, your laundry room can be a hotbed for VOCs. A little-known fact about dryer and softener sheets is that they contain high levels of formaldehyde. Because this is one of the most harmful VOCs to pollute indoor air, your laundry room is at the top of our list of areas in your home with VOC-related air quality problems.  

  • Garage

Another area of your house that is a magnet for VOCs is your garage. Considering the gasoline levels emitted from your cars, stored lawn mowers, and other motor-driven equipment, the air quality in your garage can be saturated with VOCs. Furthermore, this problem is exacerbated by trapping these VOCs behind closed and sealed garage doors. Particularly if the primary door used to enter and exit your home is through the garage, these VOCs can easily infiltrate your indoor air in other areas of your home.  

  • Living Room

Third on our list is your living room. Because formaldehyde can be emitted by building materials and furnishings, your furniture and carpets can be sources of VOCs in your indoor air.

  • Kitchen

As another room with VOCs, your kitchen can be a source of cooking processes and odor-related VOCs. While there are few things more enticing than the smell of freshly baked bread, the lingering aroma indicates the presence of VOCs in your air. Other smells like the pungent odor of onions can release major VOCs into your air, as well. Additionally, using any gas-powered cooking appliances releases gasoline VOCs into your air. Furthermore, that bowl of pesticide-covered fresh fruit or plump tomatoes could be releasing VOCs into your air.

  • Bedrooms

As we previously explained, many body odors are VOCs. Therefore, body odors that are trapped on your bedding, clothes, curtains, or carpeting can be released into your air, as well. Also, if you wash and dry your bedding and clothing with standard softener and dryer sheets, you could be introducing formaldehyde into your air.

  • Bathrooms

One horrifying reality is the presence of formaldehyde in many cosmetic and beauty products. From skincare to hair-care products, a shocking number of popular brands contain varying levels of this harmful VOC. Not only does your skin absorb the formaldehyde in these products, but your indoor air also absorbs it. Also, without getting into unpleasant details, the odors released when you answer nature’s call in the bathroom are VOCs that are emitted into your air.

3. Combustion Products

Third on our list of indoor air quality problems are combustion products. Some common pollutants produced by combustion products are carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides, and water vapor. Commonly emitted from gas-fired appliances like furnaces, water heaters, ranges, and dryers, these VOCs can be found in the air of many rooms in your house. Here are the rooms most likely to contain VOCs from combustion products:

  • Kitchen

Especially if you have gas-fired appliances or appliances that are not properly vented to the outside, the air in your kitchen can be a hub for carbon monoxide. Furthermore, if you have any unsealed gas appliances, negative air pressure can cause back drafting. Consequently, combustion pollutants can enter your house and infect your indoor air quality.

  • Laundry Room

Another room in your home that can have poorer air quality due to combustion products is your laundry room. If your dryer is gas-powered, it can produce carbon monoxide. Therefore, the air in your laundry room can become polluted with carbon monoxide if your gas dryer is not properly vented.

  • Garage and Driveway

For homes with attached garages, combustion-related VOCs can easily affect your indoor air. Because the exhaust fumes from vehicles are a major source of combustion products, your indoor air is that much more susceptible to these VOCs with an attached garage.

  • Any Space with Fireplaces, Wood Stoves, and Chimneys

Other sources of combustion products include fireplaces and chimneys. Releasing combustion gases and particles, pollutants from fireplaces or wood stoves can become back-drafted from the chimney into your living space.

  • Rooms with Unvented Kerosene and Gas Heaters

Along with your gas-powered kitchen appliances, your unvented kerosene and gas heaters can release carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide into the air. Furthermore, your indoor air can be contaminated by acid aerosols from unvented kerosene heaters.

4. Radon

Although radon is fourth on our list, this pollutant poses some of the most serious threats to your indoor air quality. Because it is virtually undetectable without formal testing, this radioactive gas is an often-overlooked problem. Entering your home through dirt floors, cracks in your walls and floors, or through floor drains and sumps, radon is commonly found in higher concentrations in lower-lying rooms. However, rooms with granite surfaces can also be sources of radon, as these rocks contain radium, uranium, and thorium. If these naturally-occurring radioactive elements decay, they can turn into radon, causing a negative impact on your indoor air. Therefore, here are some rooms that could contain radon:

  • Basement

As previously explained, the rooms in your house closer to your foundation are the most vulnerable to radon exposure. Especially if your basement has cracks in the floors, walls, or ceiling, or has a floor drain or sump, radon can easily seep into your home.

  • Kitchen and Bathrooms

Other rooms in your house that can contain levels of radon are your kitchen and bathrooms. Especially if you have granite counter tops, the presence of radon in these rooms is a likely possibility.

  • Crawlspaces

Like a basement, a crawlspace beneath your house is a prime spot for radon. Because of its proximity to the soil and rocks beneath your house, a crawlspace can contain higher levels of radon. If the floors above that crawlspace have any penetrable areas, radon can rise into your home.   

5. Tobacco Smoke

Like the rest of the world, you are probably aware of the harmful effects of secondhand smoke. However, the additional problem of third-hand smoke has been recently added to the many side-effects of smoking. In short, third-hand-smoke is the lingering presence of harmful tobacco toxins on furnishings, surfaces, and clothing in your home. Here are some rooms where the air is commonly affected by tobacco smoke:

  • Living Room

When a smoker enters a space after smoking, you can immediately smell smoke on their clothes, hair, and skin. Furthermore, their hands are usually stained with tobacco toxins from touching their cigarette or cigar. These toxins are transferred to any surface that smoker touches and can stay on those surfaces for years. Therefore, as the most actively used room in your house, your living room is vulnerable to third-hand smoke.

  • Bedrooms

Unfortunately, even the bedrooms of non-smokers are susceptible to tobacco smoke pollutants in the air. Because of third-hand smoke, the residual tobacco toxins you pick up from other surfaces can be transferred to your bedroom.

  • Closets

Considering how  tobacco toxins cling to fabrics, the closets in a home with a smoker are saturated with tobacco pollutants. Especially in coat closets, smoke can linger a long time on fabrics that are washed less frequently.  Consequently, this smoke is inevitably introduced into your air.  

 

Are You Ready to Tackle these Common Air Quality Problems in Your House?

Tackle these problems with the help of the RestoPros team! With years of helping residents and homeowners achieve clean air, the experts at RestoPros are the professionals you can trust. If you are ready to find the best clean air solutions for your home, call us today at 855-587-3786 or fill out a service request form on our website!

 

How to Protect Your AC Unit from Mold

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Mold and mildew can be deeply detrimental to your health and your home. If you, like most homeowners, shudder at the thought of it invading your house, learn how to protect your AC unit from mold by following these expert tips from the team at RestoPros.

1. Use the “Auto” Mode While You’re Away

Especially while you are away during the day or on vacation, keeping your AC unit running can control the humidity levels in your home. Therefore, you should set your unit to the “auto” mode while you are away, rather than turning your AC completely off. Mold tends to grow more commonly on AC units that have been dormant for a period of time.

2. Perform or Schedule Regular Maintenance

Routine maintenance of your HVAC equipment is imperative to keeping everything in good working condition. Especially during the transition between winter and spring, you should have your AC unit professionally serviced. Because AC units are dark and warm on the inside, they can be an ideal breeding ground for mold and mildew. You can prevent this with good cleaning habits and regular maintenance.

3. Keep it Clean

As previously mentioned, keeping your AC unit clean can drastically reduce the chances of mold growth. Here are some cleaning tasks you can perform on your own between your annual tune-up visits:

  • Clean your exterior condenser/compressor.

    Use a wet/dry vacuum to remove debris from the interior of your condenser/compressor. Then, use the brush attachment on a shop vac to remove outside dirt. Next, clean the fins by spraying them from the inside with a gentle garden hose. You can also use a fin cleaning spray for a deeper clean. Once you have done these tasks, be sure to clean the area around the unit, raking away leaves and trimming overgrowth.

 

  • Clean the evaporator coil on your indoor unit.

    Opening the evaporator coil door on the blower/furnace unit, gently dust the coil with a soft brush. Then, spray the coil with no-rinse coil cleaner and allow it to foam and drip into the drain pan. Next, clean out the drain pan with soapy hot water and a little bit of bleach. Then, pour a cup of 50% bleach and 50% water down the drain.

 

  • Clean your plugged evaporator drain.

    Over time, mold can build up in your evaporator drain. To clean it, find the drain line where it leaves the evaporator coil enclosure. Once you locate the end of this line, use a wet/dry vac to clear the drain.

 

4. Control Moisture

Moisture control within and around your AC unit is essential to mold prevention. Your ducts are the vessel through which all conditioned air travels to reach your home. Therefore, any mold growth in your ducts can threaten your air quality dramatically. To keep your ducts mold-free, you need to keep them moisture-free. You can do this by maintaining your draining channels and regularly checking for and repairing any leaks. If you ever find standing water anywhere in your duct system, you should have your system professionally serviced asap. In the case of window units, you should invest in models with humidity control.

5. Replace Your Air Filters Regularly

Because the blower filters in your HVAC system are the main line of defense between your indoor air and mold spores, changing them regularly is an important step to keep your AC unit mold-free. You should change these filters at least twice a year, but we recommend every 3-4 months for homeowners with pets or who live in a dusty area. Furthermore, we recommend using HEPA filters to remove the greatest volume of pollutants and allergens from your air.

6. Keep Your Home Clean

Although it may seem like the ultimate catch-22, a happy AC unit = clean air, and clean air = a happy AC unit. In other words, in order for your AC unit to stay clean and free of mold-causing dust particles, you should keep your home clean. Regularly dust and vacuum your home to reduce the level of particle buildup within your AC unit.

Call the RestoPros Team!

As experienced mold experts, we have a wealth of solutions to protect your AC unit from mold. If you are looking for professional help with mold intervention or remediation, call RestoPros today at 855-587-3786 or fill out a service request form on our website!

My Home Has a Mold Problem! Now What?

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So, you’ve had a professional mold testing done in your house and your worst suspicion has been confirmed. The very thought of this issue can strike fear into the heart of even the toughest homeowners. However, you can no longer deny the fact and it’s time to take some action. So, say it with me: My home has a mold problem! Now that you have accepted the worst, the experts at RestoPros are here to help with some advice about what you can do from here.

 

Supplies for Treating the Mold

In serious mold cases, most experts would recommend having professional mold remediation. However, if your professional mold testing expert has verified you can clean it yourself, here are some supplies you will need:

  • Protective Gear 

    You should have a mask or respirator, eye protection, rubber gloves, a fan, and a dehumidifier. You do not want to risk inhaling the mold spores you will be cleaning.

 

  • Cleaning Chemicals 

    If the intense list of protective gear was not a clear indication, mold is not something you can clean with everyday cleaning supplies. On the contrary, you will need to procure non-ammonia detergent, chlorine bleach, and white vinegar to mix your cleaning solution.

 

  • Cleaning Tools 

    Make sure you have plenty of rags and more than one scrub brush (both of which should be disposed of after you finish treating the mold). You should also have a large pail and a plastic garbage bag.

 

Steps for DIY Mold Treatment

1. Dampen the Area:

This is an important first step to keep mold spores from releasing into the air. With a damp rag soaked in plain water, coat the affected area.

 2. Remove as Much Mold as Possible:

With your scrub brush and detergent, remove as much of the mold as you can, and dispose of the brush.

 3. Mix and Apply Your Bleach Solution:

In your large pail, mix together 1 ½ cups of chlorine bleach to 1 gallon of water. Use a new rag to generously coat the affected surface with this mixture. Once this is done, let it soak for 15 minutes.

 4. Scrub the Solution into the Affected Area:

With a new scrubbing brush, scrub the area with the bleach solution thoroughly and rinse with clean water. Repeat this bleach step until all visible mold is gone.

 5. Eliminate All Moisture from the Treated Area:

Use your fan and dehumidifier to dry the area thoroughly to prevent new mold growth.

 6. Wash Your Clothes:

Unless you chose to wear work clothes that you don’t mind disposing of, wash the clothes you wore for the mold treatment immediately. Place them in a plastic bag to transport them to the washing machine. Add ¾ cup white vinegar to the water to kill the mold spores on your clothing.

 

My Home Has a Mold Problem! What Else Can I Do?

If you have followed the previous steps and removed the mold on your own, you have already saved money on professional mold removal. The best thing you can do for the long-term safety of your home is to enlist the help of mold remediation experts you can trust. Let the knowledgeable team at RestoPros take it from here. Call us at (855) 587-3786 or fill out a service request form online to conquer your mold problem today!

 

Mold vs. Mildew: Spotting the Difference

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Exposure to dampness or mold is the estimated cause of a quarter of all asthma cases in the United States. Even for non-asthmatic homeowners, living with a mold or mildew problem can pose serious health threats. Answering the mold vs. mildew question starts with learning what to look for. The experts at RestoPros are here to share our advice on how to spot the difference.

Mold vs. Mildew: Similarities

  • Environments

-Both mold and mildew are types of fungi that flourish in moist, humid conditions with scarce light.

-Both mold and mildew grow when spores or seeds find their way into environments that are conducive to colony growth.

  •  Affected Hosts

-Neither mold nor mildew can grow on synthetic materials such as plastic and metal-based products.

  •  Odors and Physical Symptoms

-Both mold and mildew produce a similar musty odor.

-Both mold and mildew can cause similar physical symptoms to humans who are exposed.

Mold vs. Mildew: Differences

  • Appearance

-Mildew can be downy or powdery. Downy mildew starts as yellow spots that become brighter and then turn brown in color. Powdery mildew is whitish in color and slowly turns yellowish brown and then black.

-Mold is black, yellow, or green with a fuzzy or slimy texture. Severe mold growth looks like moss and can cause rot in its effected host.

  •  Growth Patterns

-Mildew is a type of mold that has flat growth patterns. Unlike mold, mildew remains on the surface of its host where is can be easily removed. Mildew is drawn to moisture and grows on damp surfaces like your kitchen, bathroom, and basement. You can find mildew growth in toilets, sinks, tubs, showers, and on bathroom walls.

-Mold is a fungus that grows in patches which penetrate beneath the surface of its host. Mold grows on living sources, including food, drywall, paper, and wood. Mold can often grow on your ceilings, window sills, and walls.

  • Effects on the Host

 –Mildew can harm the food or plants upon which it grows, but usually does not cause any lasting damage to other surfaces such as tile floors or bathroom mirrors.

 –Mold can damage entire structures because it penetrates beneath the surface of its host.

  • Effects on Exposed Humans

 –Mildew can cause similar allergic reactions to those caused by mold, such as coughing, sneezing, headache, sore throat, and respiratory problems. However, mildew is much easier to eliminate because it remains on the surface of its host.

 –Mold can pose a serious threat to your health. It can trigger sinus problems, sneezing, coughing, wheezing, sore throat, migraines, itching, rashes, fatigue, and even depression. Mold is difficult to remove because it penetrates below the surface of its host.

 

So, now you know some signs to look for when answering your mold vs. mildew question, but what should you do about your problem? Contact the experts at RestoPros for immediate mold testing and remediation today!

 

How to Identify Different Types of Mold

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Mold is the last thing you want to live with in your home, as It causes musty odors, damage to your house, and dangerous health problems. Are you are worried about mold in your home? Keep reading for some tips from the professionals at RestoPros on how to identify different types of mold.

How to Identify Different Types of Mold by Color and Physical Symptoms:

The two easiest ways to identify which type of mold is in your home is by color and correlating symptoms. Here are the color qualities and related symptoms for common types of household mold:

Yellow-green/Brown Mold:

  • Scientific Name: Aspergillus
  • Coloring: This mold is a yellow-green color on the surface with brown coloring underneath.
  • Where it Grows: in air conditioning systems and on starchy foods like potatoes and bread.
  • Potential Symptoms: allergic reactions, respiratory infections, and inflammation of the lungs.

 

Pink and Black Mold:

  • Scientific Name: Ureobasidium.
  • Coloring: pink and black in color
  • Where it Grows: in damp areas like window frames, bathroom rugs, or caulk.
  • Potential Symptoms: eye irritation or respiratory problems.

 

Black and Green Mold:

  • Scientific Name: Cladosporium
  • Coloring: This mold is black and green in color and has a pepper-like appearance.
  • Where it Grows: on surfaces like toilets, fiberglass ducts, fabrics, and wood.
  • Potential Symptoms: watery eyes, a sore throat, or respiratory problems.

 

Dark Green, Brown, or Black Mold:

  • Scientific Name: Chaetomium.
  • Coloring: This type of mold is dark green, brown, or black in color and produces a musty odor.
  • Where it Grows: in buildings that have suffered extensive water damage.
  • Potential Symptoms: This type of mold rarely causes health problems in humans who are exposed to it.

 

Blue or Green Mold:

  • Scientific Name: Penicillium
  • Coloring: blue or green, this type of mold can easily transfer from room to room
  • Where it Grows: on wallpaper and textiles like carpets, mattresses, or curtains.
  • Potential Symptoms: This mold causes allergic reactions, sinus infections, and lung inflammation.

 

Black Mold:

  • Scientific Name: Stachybotrys chartarum
  • Coloring: It is dark in color and produces a musty odor.
  • Toxic/black mold is one of most common molds associated with health problems; it produces mycotoxins.
  • Where it Grows: in extremely damp locations (inside air conditioning systems, near leaky pipes, and on porous surfaces like drywall.)
  • Potential Symptoms: Exposure to black mold can cause allergic reactions, sinus infections, asthma symptoms, fatigue, headaches, and even depression.

 

Green or Bright Green & White:

  • Scientific Name: Trichoderma
  • Coloring: green or bright green color with white mixed in
  • Where it Grows: on wallpaper, carpets, and other porous surfaces.
  • Trichoderma produces mycotoxins causing serious health problems.
  • Potential Symptoms: allergic reactions, sinus infections, asthma, fatigue, headaches and depression.

 

Although you now know what to look for, it is always a good idea to have your house professionally tested if you suspect you have a mold problem. If you are looking for a professional to perform mold testing, remediation, or removal in your home, contact the experts at RestoPros! Call 855-587-3786 to make an appointment today!

4 Ways to Control Clutter in Your Home

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control clutter in your home

How many times have you left something uncleaned or messy in your home, thinking “I’ll worry about it tomorrow”? But when tomorrow comes, that same phrase is repeated, and eventually you’ve sort of put yourself in an endless cycle. This has happened to almost everyone, especially when their focus is cluttered by work or school.

While RestoPros understands that Dallas/Ft. Worth homeowners may not have all the time in the world to deep-clean their homes, we do recommend practicing proactive cleanliness. Cluttered homes only get dirtier as time progresses, and they can eventually be victim to mold growth if they go unmanaged.

We have detailed 4 tips to control clutter in your Dallas/Ft. Worth home.

1. Have Specific Locations for Each Item

Organization is one of the key solutions for a messy home. Creating designated spaces for important documents, office supplies, tools, cables, and other items makes finding items easier. This also helps prevent clutter in your home.

2. Donate Items You No Longer Use or Want

Don’t hold onto items, thinking they’ll be of some use later. If you haven’t used it in three months to a year, it’s time for it to go. Consider selling these items, giving them away to friends or family, or donating them.

Donating valuables such as clothes, blankets, pillows, movies, video games, canned food, or even electronics can be a great way to both give to those in need and reduce clutter in your home. Additionally, donating is easy to do. Just find local center that accepts your valuables.

3. Clean Messes as Soon as They Occur

Right now, your first habit when a mess is made might be to put cleaning off until later. Create a new habit: Clean the mess as soon as it’s made. Cleaning the mess in that moment may seem draining, but it creates less trouble for you in the long-run.

The longer you wait to clean a mess, the worse it can become. A simple dirty dish can lead to a pile-up in the sink, which may take several hours to clean if you’re doing it by hand. Save time and create a cleaner living space with this new habit.

4. Minimize Paper Usage

A few small piles of paper can turn into stacks upon stacks of unorganized documents if you’re not careful.

We recommend minimizing your paper usage as much as possible to help avoid clutter. This can be done by switching to digital filing for most situations that require paper, such as receipts, monthly newsletters, bank statements, and other documents.

Help reduce clutter in your Dallas/Ft. Worth home by following these tips! And if you’ve discovered any instance of mold while removing clutter, contact RestoPros for our mold remediation services. Give us a call at 855-587-3786 to schedule an appointment and get started.

Related Links

Quick Tips to Stop Hoarding Before it Starts – The Spruce

Healthier Homes Lead to Healthier Families – City of Fort Worth, Texas

 

What Foods Mold the Fastest?

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Have you ever opened your fridge for a quick snack, only to be greeted by the sight (and smell) of moldy food? Almost every Dallas/Ft. Worth homeowner has gone through a similar experience. And while the sight of moldy food may be bad enough, the damage it can cause can lead to worse issues. Mold spores can spread to other food items as well as the surfaces of your fridge, and too much contamination could eventually lead to requiring mold remediation.

You want to keep your fridge clear of mold as much as possible. And to help do so, you want to be aware of the foods that can expire the fastest. RestoPros has listed some of the worst offenders below.

Cooked Eggs

A staple for most refrigerators, eggs are so commonly used that we tend to forget how easily they can spoil when cooked. While raw, unopened eggs can last up to 3-5 weeks in the refrigerator, cooked eggs can last less than a week. But this expiration times varies depending on how you cook them.

If you scramble eggs or make an omelet, chances are it will only be good for about 3 days refrigerated. Hard-boiled eggs can last a little bit longer, usually up to a week. After this time, mold and bacteria will begin to form in the cooked eggs, leading to foul smell and discolored look.

Milk

Due to the high lactose amounts, adequate pH levels, and major water content, milk can become moldy very quickly, especially after being opened. Whole milk can only last 7 days unopened in the fridge, which is reduced to 5 days after being opened. However, milk can last a little longer if the fat and lactose is removed. Lactose-free or fat-free milk can last up to 10 days in the fridge, which is a bit longer but still a short lifespan overall.

Sliced Fresh Fruits/Vegetables/Mushrooms

The fresher a fruit, vegetable, or mushroom is, the higher amount of water it contains. And as soon as it’s sliced, diced, or cut in any way that exposes its flesh, mold can more easily form. Sliced fruits, vegetables, or mushrooms can only last about 3-5 days, even if refrigerated.

Cooked Grains and Beans

You wouldn’t expect grains or beans to have a short lifespan, especially considering they’re usually stored in the pantry for long periods of time when raw. But once they’ve been cooked, they only last about 3-4 days in the fridge. Cooking grains and beans expose their interiors to bacteria growth, helping mold to spawn and feed off their nutrients. Additionally, cooking grains and beans also adds water to them, which is another essential for mold growth.

Raw Meat

Raw meat is filled to the brim with bacteria and water. And only after about 3-4 days in the fridge the bacteria along with mold will grow rapidly, completely ruining the meat. Raw meat should always be cooked and eaten as soon as possible, or it should be frozen if you don’t plan on using it immediately. Although thawed frozen meat may lose some of its flavor, it’s a much better experience than eating moldy raw meat!

Help protect your refrigerator from the clutches of mold by learning about some of the foods that can turn the fastest. If you’ve discovered moldy food that has spread its spores to the surfaces of your fridge, you’ll want to contact RestoPros to have mold-removal experts restore your fridge back to a suitable condition. Call 855-587-3786 for our mold remediation services.

5 Household Items Considered Hazardous Waste

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When an item is considered hazardous waste, that means it can be ignitable, explosive, corrosive, or toxic. This means that if hazardous waste is discarded in a trash can like any other item, it may cause a reaction that can compromise your safety. Therefore, you’ll want to be aware of what items are considered hazardous waste. And believe it or not, some of your household items may fit this criterion.

The experts at RestoPros would like to inform Dallas/Ft. Worth homeowners on 5 household  hazardous waste examples.

1. Mothballs

Mothballs are small, chemical-filled balls that are used to repel certain pests and mold from a given area. And you’ll typically find them scattered in closets and attics. But while their function may seem useful at first – they contain enough pesticides and chemicals to be considered hazardous waste.

Mothballs can contain two active chemicals – naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene. Both chemicals are considered hazardous waste and must not be discarded in the trash can or flushed down the drain. Additionally, mothballs should never be placed within reach of pets or children. If consumed, they should be taken to a medical facility immediately.

2. Furniture Polish

Furniture polish can be a very toxic concoction. It’s made of several different polishing agents, solvents, and hydrocarbons. And if accidentally consumed, even in small amounts, emergency medical attention is quickly needed. Simply inhaling furniture polish can also lead to headaches, dizziness, and lightheadedness. Due to this high toxicity, furniture polish is considered hazardous waste.

Usually, the manufacturer will provide instructions for proper disposal on the product’s labeling. If not found, research the manufacturer’s website to see if any instructions are available.

3. Glass Cleaner

Most glass cleaners contain very potent cleaning agents. And while it may be able to remove stains off glass surfaces more thoroughly, it can also be toxic, flammable, and corrosive. Glass cleaners tend to contain isopropyl alcohol, ethanolamine, and butyl glycol. These chemicals, especially ethanolamine, can be highly reactive if mixed with other chemicals. Therefore, it’s important to take considerable caution and find the right disposal procedures for glass cleaners.

4. Drain Cleaner

Drain cleaners can contain strong acids as their active ingredients. The common chemicals found are lye and sodium hydroxide. But you can also find drain cleaners containing potassium hydroxide. All these chemicals are highly corrosive, with sodium hydroxide even able to be explosive if mixed with certain metals.

5. Batteries

Certain batteries can contain the same chemical found in some drain cleaners – potassium hydroxide. And if a disposed battery containing potassium hydroxide gets punctured or damaged while in the trash, this chemical can leak. Potassium hydroxide can cause severe burns on the skin and eyes if contacted, as well as being corrosive and reactive to water. Therefore, you’ll want to research the type of batteries before discarding them, and follow any additional instructions provided by the manufacturer.

Help improve the safety of your home by knowing which household items are considered hazardous waste. And contact RestoPros if your Dallas/Ft. Worth home ever requires professional hazard cleanup services. Give us a call at 855-587-3786 to schedule an appointment and get started.

Related Links:

Household Hazardous Waste Collection for Dallas County Residents

Household Hazardous Waste – Environmental Protection Agency

Treating Swimming Pool Mold and Algae

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If your Dallas/Ft. Worth home has a swimming pool, it’s probably seen a fair amount of usage over the summer. After all, temperatures for the metroplex have been reaching the triple digits, so spending several days in your swimming pool is a common go-to solution for beating the heat. However, with this extra usage comes a higher need to clean it, especially if you’ve discovered swimming pool mold and algae.

Mold and algae are both self-reproducing organisms that can infest your swimming pool. Their growth can be the result of several causes with your swimming pool such as chemical imbalances, improper water circulation, no filtration, and other maintenance-related issues. And since mold and algae thrive on warm temperatures, summer is their preferred time to grow. Therefore, it’s important to know about treating swimming pool mold and algae.

RestoPros has detailed a step-by-step guide on this process below for Dallas/Ft. Worth homeowners.

Remove all Pool Items and Sanitize Them

Pool toys and accessories used in mold or algae-infested water should be regarded as contaminated. Remove all pool items from the water and sanitize them using bleach and a soft scrubber. Be sure to wash any used swimwear as well. If you feel bleach is too strong, try using white vinegar instead.

Vacuum the Pool

Once pool items have been removed, it’s time to vacuum the pool. You will need a pool vacuum hose, pool vacuum head, and a pool pole to do this. Once assembled and connected, you’ll then want to switch your pool’s valve to the “waste” setting. Finding this setting is dependent on your pool’s valve type. But for multiport valves there should be a handle position with a “waste” setting. Begin vacuuming the bottom of the pool to start removing lingering mold or algae. Be quick, as the water levels will be dropping!

Scrub All Noticeable Spots on the Pool’s Sides

After vacuuming as much of the mold or algae as possible, you’ll then want to start scrubbing away all the mold or algae spots you see on the sides of the pool. Be sure to use a brush with firm bristles that stay intact underwater. Scrub away stains as thoroughly as you can.

Note: Do NOT use bleach as a cleaning agent to scrub the pool. Bleach mixed with chlorine creates a deadly gas that can seriously harm you.

Test Your Pool’s pH Levels

After scrubbing, you’ll then want to test your pool’s pH levels. pH levels show whether your pool is considered acidic or basic. Any pH level below 7 is considered an acid, while levels above 7 are considered a base. Generally, your swimming pool should be within 7.4-7.6, as this keeps chlorine levels high enough to kill mold and algae without being harmful to your body.  You can find pH level testing kits at almost any department store. Once pH levels have been measured, adjust your chlorine levels if necessary to fit within the 7.4-7.6 range. This should help eliminate what’s left of the mold or algae.

Protect your swimming pool for the summer by knowing how to treat swimming pool mold and algae! If you’ve noticed a mold infestation in your home, you’ll want to contact RestoPros for our mold remediation services. Give us a call at 855-587-3786 to have Dallas/Ft. Worth’s leading mold-removal experts treat your mold problem.

Related Links:

Healthy and Safe Swimming – CDC

Disinfection & Testing – CDC