Before starting the house cleaning battle, it is a good idea to get to know the enemy. There are various types of mould, so we summarised a list of the most common ones.
Prepare for a House Cleaning of the Usual Suspects
It is important to mention that although there is mould everywhere, there are some countries with especially favourable weather conditions for its growth. We are looking at you Great Britain! Weekly house cleaning in London can be an absolute nightmare if you don’t have a clue what you are up against.
Chaetomium
Chaetomium is a resistant mould commonly found in the kitchen and the bathroom, but it also grows quite well on carpets, mattresses and wallpapers. This type of fungi is a result of some kind of water damage to your home – flooding of the basement, leaked pipe. Its colours vary from grey to black and you can usually spot it very easily.
The effect that the mould colony has on the more thin surfaces like wallpaper and wood frames is very negative. Usually, they destroy every area they inhabit.
Chaetomium can cause various allergic reactions and respiratory problems. It can be particularly dangerous for people with illnesses weakening the immune system.
A good prevention method is to have a home inspection every year before the big, annual house cleaning.
Cladosporium
Like Chaetomium, Cladosporium can be found in the places with high moisture like kitchens, bathrooms and window frames. It is also frequently found in carpets and upholding. Cladosporium is unique with its ability to grow both in warm and cold conditions.
This black coloured mould can cause a great deal of damage to the human body. Often people develop severe allergic reactions like skin rash, asthma attacks, allergic fungal sinusitis. When you clean the Cladosporium colonies always wear protection since the fungi can cause severe irritation to the exposed skin.
We advise you to organise a monthly carpet cleaning, especially if you have pets and/or small children.
Penicillin
Everybody knows about the healing effect of Penicillin and its antibiotic qualities. Do not be fooled as a type of mould Penicillin can be quite dangerous. These green-blue fungi love damp places, and it can easily spread around the house.
Being exposed for a long time to its effect people can develop pulmonary and respiratory problems, asthma, swelling of the throat (anaphylaxis) even organ damaging and eventually organ failure.
You can easily get rid of Penicillin mould by using a homemade solution of 1 part water and ¼ parts bleach. Wipe the stains with a cloth and leave to dry. Make sure you are wearing gloves to protect your hands.
Ulocladium
Like all moulds, Ulocladium needs a humid environment to grow and spread. It is known to cause excessive damage to wooden surfaces and can usually be spotted in the corners of windows with high condensational levels.
This type of mould is most dangerous for people predisposed to allergies and people with a low immune system. It is known to cause high fevers and skin and eye infections. Ulocladium can easily be mistaken with some other type of mould so be extremely careful.
Toxic Moulds That You Have to be Aware When Doing a House Clean
Stachybotrys
Also known as the “Black mould” Stachybotrys is a toxigenic type of mould that can be found in almost every household in England. It thrives in dark, damp places like bathroom corners or on water damaged wallpaper and walls. It has a slimy texture and should not be handled without gloves.
Toxic moulds are known to cause neurological problems in children and pulmonary bleeding in infants. It is important to organise a house cleaning regularly in order to prevent a serious health hazard.
People exposed for too long to the negative effects of Stachybotrys can develop numerous respiratory problems, chest pain, fevers, nose bleeding and even depression.
