3 cheap ways to stop mold – easy tricks under $7 to protect your home, health, and wallet

Prevention is always better than a cure – nowhere is that more true than for mold in your home.

Mold in any form can cause a myriad of health problems, damage your home, and cost you a lot in the long run, especially if it becomes serious enough to need professional removal.

Luckily, it is easy – and cheap – to prevent. Here, mold removal experts and contractors share their top three cheap ways to stop mold to avoid having to get rid of black mold in your home.

Cheap ways to stop mold

Tony Abate, a certified mold inspector and VP and chief technology officer at AtmosAir Solutions explains, 'Mold can cause minor respiratory problems like coughing, headaches, sore throat, and respiratory problems. However, prolonged exposure can create more severe symptoms. So, it's key that you spot and remove mold as soon as possible.'

Your first step would be to cut back on bad habits that increase the risk of mold in your home, reducing the risk of mold growth in the first place.

Then you can try these three super affordable tricks for bullet-proof protection.

1. Open windows

Improving ventilation in your home is one of the best ways to stop mold and it is completely free. Opening windows for a few minutes a day can help to reduce indoor humidity quickly, without the need for the best dehumidifier, to limit the risk of mold.

But how do you ventilate your home this winter without big energy bills?

Micahel Bogoyavlenskiy, cleaning expert and CEO of Cleaning Express says, 'It’s not necessary to keep your windows open all the time in winter, as quick ventilation and replacement of the air are enough to keep things going. Having them open for about five minutes should be enough in most cases.

'The easiest way to test it is to open windows on either side of your home (if possible). You want to create a cross-draft so air is pushed out of the window and replaced by fresh air.

'Open a window on either side of your home and then stand somewhere in the middle. When you feel a light breeze or can tell you’re being hit with fresh air, you know you’ve got a cross-draft. Leave them open for five minutes and you’ll have circulated enough air.'

2. Seal up gaps

Draft-proofing your home does more than make your heating more efficient, it can also limit leaks and moisture in your home to prevent mold.

Jim Thoma VP of Operations at Advanta Clean explains, 'The key to preventing mold is moisture control. You will need to identify the source of the water and correct the problem. Seal around windows, doors, and any penetrations through the exterior of a home.'

It is worth noting that you may need to take more serious (and more costly) measures if moisture is a consistent issue in your property, says Tony Abate, certified mold inspector.

He adds, 'Keeping your home dry is key to avoiding mold. Be sure to avoid water leaks and ensure basements are sealed. Landscaping should be sloped away from the home, so water does not collect around the foundation, similarly, rain gutters should be in good working condition.

'If there is a spill or leak clean and dry it and surrounding surfaces quickly.'

3. Clean with white vinegar

Cleaning with vinegar is one of the best proactive approaches you can take to prevent mold on an array of household appliances, such as cleaning washing machines and cleaning dishwashers.

Ray Brosnan, managing director and contractor at Brosnan Property Solutions says, 'White vinegar can be an effective natural solution for removing mold if used correctly.

'Vinegar contains something called acetic acid, which has anti-fungal properties that can kill around 82% of mold species. It's pretty simple to use vinegar as a mold killer, just mix equal parts of vinegar and water in a spray bottle and apply the solution directly to the affected area.

'Let the solution sit for an hour or two before wiping it away with a clean cloth.'

FAQs

Does putting the heating on help stop mold?

Turning on the heating and keeping your home warm is a good way to help prevent mold. Warmer air holds more moisture, reducing the chance of condensation forming on surfaces that could later grow mold.

There are some ways to prevent mold growth even when leaving your home unheated in an unheated property if you are going on vacation, but heat is generally preferred.

While it is not a pleasant topic, familiarizing yourself with the common types of household mold is a great way to prevent them, helping you to spot the early warning signs and cut out bad habits before it develops into something unmanageable.