We don’t know a single person who doesn’t like the fall, at least a little bit. The changing leaves, the slightly chilly but not yet cold temperatures, football – it seems like there’s something for everyone to love!
Unless you’re allergic to mold. Mold spore populations tend to spike around the Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC area in the fall, and it’s really no wonder – fall weather, like spring weather, creates the perfect environment to spur mold growth: a lot of rain, not-quite-cold temperatures, and the kicker – piles of leaves on the side of the road that act as incubators for mold spores and allow them to be picked up and carried by the wind easily.
Mold allergies can affect everyone, including people who are not particularly allergy affected. Breathing in mold can lead to mostly typical allergy symptoms, including runny noses, sneezing and irritated eyes. For some, especially people with asthma, mold can cause respiratory problems such as asthma attacks that can be potentially life threatening.
So how do you alleviate mold allergies in the fall? One of the easiest (and most important) things you can do is manage the humidity level inside your home. It’s too cold to leave the windows open but too warm to turn on your heating system in the fall, meaning that it’s tough to get fresh air inside. To combat this, switch on your furnace for about a half hour a few times a day. Not only will this help move air through your air filters, but it will also evaporate some of the humidity in the air, making it harder for the mold to grow and spread.
If you have pets, make sure you groom them even more frequently to prevent mold spores they bring from outside from getting into your home, especially on your clothes, furniture, bedding, etc. When you clean clothes and linens in the washer, make sure you dry them in the dryer instead of outside – you don’t want any airborne spores to attach to them while they’re on the line!
Finally, if you don’t have one already you should consider getting a HEPA vacuum cleaner (or electronic air cleaner) and vacuuming about once a day. HEPA filters are excellent tools for catching mold spores and can really make a difference when it comes to keeping your home free from fall mold.
If you have moisture problems in your basement or bathroom that’s causing an increase in fall mold, call Magnolia Plumbing. Our DC plumbers can inspect your home’s plumbing system and help minimize moisture so your home stays comfortable for you but not for mold!