What Causes Mold In Closets? How To Prevent Mold On Clothes In Closet?

Using desiccants or dehumidifiers can help prevent mold from forming on your clothing in the closet. Read to the end of this article for further information on mold identification and removal.

Mold On Closet Clothes

Any of your possessions might be ruined by mold, including your furniture and clothing. On the other hand, this does not have to be the case. To prevent future mold damage, familiarize yourself with the indications and consequences of mold on clothing.

What Causes Mold In Closets?

Moisture is necessary for mold to thrive, therefore a high-humidity or leaky closet can be an ideal environment in which to grow mold.

Moisture and mold can infiltrate your closets in one of three ways:

1. LEAKY PLUMBING

Moisture might build up in your home if your pipes are leaking behind your walls. Problems with the plumbing in a bathroom or kitchen can give the moisture that mold needs to thrive in a nearby closet.

2. ATTIC MOLD

Moisture can accumulate in your attic as a result of roof leaks or high humidity. Mold can spread through closet ceilings and into the walls if it is allowed to grow too close to the ceiling.

3. HUMIDITY

Since closet doors are frequently left shut, any moisture in the air is effectively retained inside. Both in the summer and year-round in places with high humidity, this can be an issue.

What are the effects of moldy clothes on people?

In the same way as other mold-damaged possessions do, moldy garments cause the same symptoms. However, if you are in close proximity to it, it may be more harmful to you.

Moldy clothing can have a greater impact on persons who are sensitive to it. Children, the elderly, and pregnant women are the most vulnerable to mold exposure. Mold can harm people with compromised immune systems and weakened respiratory systems.

Allergies to mold can range from a minor reaction to a life-threatening one. Rash and itchy or watery eyes are examples of mild symptoms.

Moderate symptoms include itching and breathing difficulty. Breathing difficulties to diarrhea are all examples of severe symptoms.

What are the signs of mold on closet clothes?

Mold symptoms can be a telltale indicator that your clothing in the closet are starting to go bad. Smell is another method to tell whether something is moldy on your clothes.

Smells are kept more confined because clothing is kept in a sealed space. Thus, when you open your closet, you won’t miss the aroma that fills the air.

Due to the effect that mold has on clothing, it is easy to identify mold on clothing. It leaves a discolored stain and feels scratchy, so it’s not something you’ll want to ignore. Mold removal from clothing is a need, which is why we’ve written this post.

IS MOLD IN THE CLOSET DANGEROUS?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has stated that mold can cause major health issues. Its spores create irritants, allergies, and toxins. Allergies such as sneezing, runny noses, itchy eyes, headaches, and skin rashes can be triggered by inhaling or handling mold or mold spores.

There are also more serious complications, such as bleeding in the lungs and nose, that can occur. Asthma flare-ups and other respiratory ailments have been linked to mold exposure. A mold problem in the home can have a negative impact on the health of children, the elderly, and people with underlying respiratory diseases.

Mold has been classified as a health hazard by the World Health Organization due to its risks.

HOW TO REMOVE MOLD IN THE CLOSET

Getting all of mold and mold spores indoors is difficult; some will always be found in indoor air and dust, but you can take the following methods to lessen mold in your closet.

1. Check to see if the room is well-ventilated Open the windows and circulate the fans around the space to keep things cool.
2. Anything you don’t want people to see is going to be covered up (or remove them from the room).
3. Drop cloths or plastic sheets can be used to shield carpets and other flooring from scuffs.
4. Don’t get mold on your skin, in your eyes, or in your lungs by not wearing protective clothing.
5. Mold will be less likely to form if the mold is dampened. A small amount of dampness may seem paradoxical, but it is necessary to prevent mold spores from spreading across the room as you work.
6. Scrub the mold away once you’ve prepared your cleaning solution in accordance with CDC and EPA rules.
7. Thoroughly dry the closet area after rinsing with a spray bottle.
8. Make an effort to keep mold at bay. Reduce the amount of moisture in the air to avoid the regrowth of mold.

This is not a guarantee that the mold will be entirely eliminated with this method.

Not only can a mold remediation firm discover and remove the mold, but they can also locate the source of the moisture, which is an important first step in eradicating mold.

Simply put, mold will return if the moisture issue in your closet isn’t corrected.

As a result, a company like ServiceMaster by Zaba will conduct an inspection of your home to establish whether or not your closet has been infested with mold.

HOW TO REMOVE MOLD ON CLOTHES OR SHOES

Vinegar can be used in place of detergent to remove mold odors from clothing and shoes, and it can also be used to brush the mold away from the surface before washing with detergent and drying in the sun.

Mold should not be inhaled by anyone, as it is dangerous to one’s health. In order to remove mold safely, mold remediators have the proper tools and training.

How to prevent mold on clothes in closet

1. Make Sure Your Clothes Are Dry

Mold thrives in wet conditions. It can’t live without it. You’re asking for disaster if you keep your garments in your closet before they’ve dried completely. Despite the fact that they may feel slightly damp, avoid keeping them in tight areas. You’re creating an ideal environment for the mold to grow.

When you first take your clothes out of the dryer, this is especially important. It is not always possible to completely dry a garment with a dryer. If your garments are still wet, let them air dry for at least an hour in a well-ventilated area. Sweaty exercise clothes are likewise subject to these rules. Mold can thrive in any damp environment, and sweat is no exception. Before putting your wet garments in the washing basket, be sure they are dry!

2. Clean Your Shelves At Least Every Month

A accumulation of germs can also contribute to mold formation. If you keep your garments in a dirty place, it doesn’t mean they’re infested with bacteria. Mold isn’t always the result of poor hygiene, and even if you clean frequently, you might still find mold.

As a result, closets are often disregarded since they are difficult to clean. You can greatly reduce the risk of mold growth in your closet by wiping it off at least once a month. It only takes a few minutes, yet it has a long-term impact.

3. Keep Control of Your Humidity

Mold flourishes in damp conditions, which is exacerbated by high humidity. You can prevent the spread of excess moisture in your home by controlling the humidity. The most efficient method of reducing humidity is to use air conditioning.

Taking simple steps like opening the doors to allow fresh air to circulate can also help reduce humidity. Try to keep your garments in regions where the air can circulate easily, if at all possible.

4. Utilize an Air Purifier

From the simplest to the most complex, air purifiers are available. In addition to keeping the air clean, some purifiers are designed to collect fungus spores.

Don’t buy the most expensive items if you don’t need them in your wardrobe. Even yet, if your home is constantly plagued by mold, a more advanced purifier may be the best option for you.

5. Consider Wire Shelving as Opposed to Wooden

Mold growth is exacerbated by stagnant airflow, which is more common than high humidity. Mold thrives in a damp environment, and the combination of heavy wood shelving and a lack of ventilation is ideal.

Using wire frameworks instead of wooden shelves in your closet will make a world of a difference. Even amid your hung-up clothing, their grid-like design provides excellent airflow. Also, they’re excellent for folded garments because the wire shelves often have holes at the bottom to enable air to circulate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is mold in closet dangerous?

Yes. Allergies can be triggered by inhaling or handling harmful mold. Mold can also form on your clothing, causing it to be ruined. Mold can grow quickly in a dark, stale closet because of the lack of light and fresh air.

Is mold in closets common?

Mold in the kitchen or bathroom isn’t as frequent. The risk is greater if you frequently hang wet clothing in your closet. The presence of mold does not necessarily indicate a lack of hygiene.

Can mold in a closet make you sick?

Yes. There are a variety of allergic reactions and hay fever symptoms that can be brought on by a buildup of mold in your closet. Remove mold as soon as you notice it.

Conclusion

Knowing how to prevent mold from forming on clothing in the closet is a great method to avoid major mold damage down the road. Mold, as you may be aware, can begin in one area but quickly spread to other locations.

Wearing moldy clothing might spread the spores to your home’s furnishings. There is a risk that mold will spread from the furniture to the walls and other surfaces.