Constant exposure to certain molds can cause illness in certain people, especially those with a compromised immune system or who are susceptible to allergies. The illness can run from mild to chronic and include itchy watery eyes, headache, fatigue, bloody nose, asthma, loss of attention and chronic lung disease. If you suspect you have an excessive mold problem in your home get it checked out by a professional and seek medical attention. If the problem is a small area of your laundry room for example, you can clean it up by yourself as long as it is not toxic black mold.
Mold is common in the laundry room because it is usually damp and humid. Keeping the humidity below 50 percent is suggested to keep the growth of mold at bay. Kevin Bristol is a professional mold remediation specialist and he suggests using a dehumidifier in the laundry room to keep the humidity low especially in humid months. You can also open a window whenever you use the washer or dryer. Install a ceiling fan or ventilation system in the laundry room to keep humidity low. Remove clothes from the washing machine promptly when it has run its cycle. If your home has an air conditioning system you might want to do the laundry while the air conditioner is on as it will dry the air out in your home. Kevin Bristol suggests painting the walls in your laundry room with a semi-gloss paint that has an anti-mold and mildew agent in it. Painting the walls with a dry-lock paint that actually, "holds water up to 10 pounds or 10 PSI, which is 10 pounds of water per square inch" will keep the walls mold free, advises Bristol.
Making sure your dryer is working properly can reduce humidity in your laundry room. "Your clothes dryer should be vented directly to the outside of your home. Inspect the vent duct. Make sure it is attached securely to the dryer. Check that it is clear of obstructions (e.g. lint). Check for holes that leak moist air" this according to The Consumer Products Safety Commission. Another good idea if you have mold in your laundry room is to inspect for leaks in the washing machine hoses and repair them. If there is a water leak inside the wall you can have mold growing behind the drywall. This will be apparent by a black or blue appearance bleeding through the wall. You can also tell there is a water leak problem if the walls bubble or buckle or if the drywall tape is peeling off.
Wipe down all the walls, ceiling and floors once a week in your laundry room with an antibacterial spray to prevent the re-growth of mold. To initially clean any mold you must protect yourself from airborne spores by wearing a face mask and gloves. Use a scrub brush and a solution of water and bleach to wipe down the surface. If the mold has grown into the drywall you made need to replace that section of the wall.
