Mold is a natural fungus that can be found anywhere where moisture and oxygen are present, from your home to your workplace. However, as soon as this microscopic fungus begins to multiply and spread over your surfaces, it becomes dangerous as its cells produce toxins.
In this article, our industrial cleaning experts explain the reasons why it’s important to clean mold and several effective methods for getting rid of it.
What is mold?
Mold is a fungus that produces a distinctive damp smell when it grows. This unattractive odor comes from the spores it releases. If inhaled in large quantities, this odor can trigger allergies and other illnesses, which can be harmful to humans.
How does mold develop?
Mold most commonly grows on dusty surfaces and porous materials such as wood, cardboard, etc. The most important component needed for mold to develop is moisture. This considered, it’s very possible for mold to develop inside workplaces, especially within warehouses where there’s often a lot of dust and moisture.
The places where you’re mostly likely to find mold include walls, ceilings, windowsills, closets, and any other enclosed, unventilated spaces, as well as in stagnant water.
How to clean mold
Although it’s not always easy to get rid of mold, our industrial warehouse cleaning experts give you their best advice for removing it indefinitely.
1. Create a mixture of white vinegar and water
The acid in white vinegar is an excellent cleaner for many surfaces. Simply mix it with an equal amount of water and spray it onto the mold.
Once you have sprayed this mixture evenly over all the mold in each room, wipe off the residue and allow the surfaces to dry naturally.
If you also want to get rid of the damp smell, you can add a few drops of lavender oil into your mixture.
2. Cover in bicarbonate soda
An alternative solution for getting rid of mold is to combine 2 spoons of bicarbonate soda with a drop of white vinegar. Spread this mixture onto the walls and other surfaces where mold is present. After 10 minutes, you can wipe the areas and let them dry.
Repeat this process until the mold has gone.
3. Hire a professional
Finally, if you are unable to remove the mold by yourself or there is simply too much of it to deal with, we recommend that you hire a company specialized in industrial cleaning. Our experts at Trexo Solutions can help you to effectively remove the mold in your warehouse.
Whatever the situation, avoid waiting too long before attempting to remove the mold. Early intervention can prevent many problems and ensure that your building is a healthy and safe work environment for your employees.
Health effects of mold
Although most mold isn’t harmful to your health, if present in large quantities, it can pose health risks to your employees. If someone develops any of the following symptoms, it may mean that there’s too much mold in your workplace:
- Mild cough
- Throat and eye irritation
- Continual runny nose
- Headaches and chronic fatigue
If these symptoms linger for several days, medical attention should be sought as soon as possible. Employees with pre-existing respiratory illnesses may develop more severe symptoms. Therefore, to make your warehouse a safer place, we advise you to clean up the mold as soon as you can.
The most common types of mold found indoors
As mentioned above, mold can grow pretty much anywhere, and its presence can cause health problems if not controlled. Find out which types of mold are most commonly found inside buildings!
Aspergillus
Aspergillus is one of the most common types of mold. It is often found in dusty corners of buildings. It can also develop near to decaying plant material or in stagnant water.
Cladosporium
Cladosporium is an airborne fungus. It is usually found on decaying organic matter, such as stale food scraps.
Penicillium
Penicillium is a type of mold that grows particularly well indoors. It is commonly found on porous materials like wood, and on many food products. This is why cleaning is so important within the food industry.
Hire Trexo Solutions to clean the mold in your building
As previously stated, mold is a fungus that can develop in many different indoor locations, making it difficult to track. If you’re looking to get rid of the mold in your warehouse, our industrial cleaning team offers an effective high-pressure water blasting service.
For more information on our mold removal services, contact us today!