Once you’ve gone through the process of removing black mold from your home, whether with a professional service or with DIY methods on your own, it is very important to you that it does not come back. Don’t let all that time, money, and energy you put into mold remediation go to waste. Read below to learn how you can keep mold out of your home for good.
Monitor Likely Sources
- Check Your Original Infestation Spot(s): The most important area for you to monitor is the spot where black mold grew the last time. You’ve seen it before so you know exactly what to look for. And of course, if it was a suitable environment for black mold to grow the first time, it’s definitely likely that it will stay suitable. It is also a good idea to position fans on these spots as often as you can to ensure proper ventilation.
- Dark and Damp Areas: As we’ve stated many times, areas that are dark, damp, and hard to reach are ideal spots for mold to grow in. Mold loves moisture and if it’s in a spot that is not frequented or easily seen, then it has the freedom to grow longer and further. It’s worth the extra effort to move the furniture or crawl into a tucked away spot to make sure the area looks clear of mold. If your basement or attic are places that you visit twice a year to pull out your holiday decorations and put them away again, get in the habit of visiting them more often so you can better monitor the conditions in those areas.
- Leaky Faucets and Pipes: The most common causes of household leaks (which lead to black mold recurrence) are dripping toilets and faucets. Be sure to make the rounds throughout the house, making sure all toilets are running smoothly, faucets are quiet and dry, and any extraneous pipes are as tight as they can be.
- Windows and Doors: Especially in older home, windows and doors tend not to be completely airtight, which can lead to moisture entering the home through tiny cracks. Just keep in eye on these spots, particularly after rainy weather. If certain windows or doors are particularly problematic, it could be time to get replacements installed. Your heating and cooling bills will also benefit from this.
Practice Good “Anti-Mold” Habits Daily
- Bathrooms, especially those without windows, are notorious dens of moisture. Hot showers can cause a large amount of moisture to build up in a bathroom and cling to every square inch of the room. Get in the habit of keeping the door cracked while you shower (if privacy allows for it) and/or after you take a shower, open the window or turn on a fan to quickly create an exit for all of that concentrated dampness.
- When you’re cooking on the stove, the room can steam up very quickly. If you know this is going to happen based on your experience with what you’re cooking, turn the vent fan on before you even begin the process. This will help prevent moisture from sticking around.
- Ask people to take their shoes off when they enter your home. Mold spores and other germs are often transported inside on the soles of people’s shoes. This is a good way to keep it contained to a small spot in your entrance that you clean regularly, as well as keep your whole house cleaner.
- Cool down your home on hot days. Whether that’s by cranking the air conditioning, turning on fans, or opening some windows, you will want to reduce humidity in the home at all times to reduce the risk of mold growth.
Clean Regularly with the Right Products 
There are many reasons why cleaning your house regularly is beneficial to you, and cutting down on mold recurrence is one of them. Unfortunately, some people only clean what people can see with the naked eye, which isn’t going to cut it if you’re serious about mold prevention. Places like behind appliances, under the sink, the shower drain, behind the toilet, and in crawl spaces are very much in need of your TLC. If areas like these are monitored and cleaned properly, then black mold will have a tough time finding a spot to grow. Learn more about finding the right cleaning products to use in your home on our Chemistry Behind Cleaning page.