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Moldy closets are quite common because closets, with their humidity and lack of airflow, provide a preferred environment for mold to grow. Here is some more information on mold in closets:

Is Mold Dangerous/Toxic?

The short answer to this is that it usually is. There are some species of mold that have little effect on human health, and others that have a large impact. In most cases, they release toxins called mycotoxins into the atmosphere. For this reason and others, if you ever suspect that there is mold in your property, we recommend that you call the number on our website for a free mold remediation quote.

Common health effects:

• Tiredness
• Trouble focusing
• Sneezing
• Allergies

Causes of Mold Growth

To grow, mold needs a moisture and food source. If your property has recently experienced some water damage, it is possible that soon after there could be mold present.

After suffering from a water damage incident, how long does it take for mold to grow?

In general, mold can start growing as soon as 24-48 hours after the spores have come into contact with an ideal living area (one with moisture, humidity, and a food supply like wood). Therefore, in order to avoid this, it is important that you dry any areas affected by water damaged as soon as possible.

How to Check Your Home for Mold in Your Home or Commercial Property

Mold may not always be visible, and therefore you should hire a professional or test for it yourself. If you choose to test for it yourself, we recommend buying the mold testing kit found here.

Common Types of Mold in the Closet

There are many common types of mold that may be present in your closet, but here are just a couple of them:

Black mold in the closet

This type of mold is one of the most toxic to humans since it produces more mycotoxins than many other types of fungi.

White mold in the closet

White mold is sometimes referred to as mildew and is slightly less toxic than black mold, but still carries some health risks.

If you have any type of mold in your home or commercial building you should call today for a free quote on remediation.

How Professionals Get Rid of Mold in Closets

There are a few steps that professionals take before removing mold in a closet. Here are just a few of them:

1. Help You Find a Place to Stay

In cases where the mold is really bad, you may need to leave your property for a certain period of time until the mold remediation process is complete. Your restoration contractor can help you find a place to stay and may potentially be able to help you get your stay reimbursed by your insurance company.

2. Set up a HEPA Filter/Air Purifier

If mold has been in your property for a while, chances are the toxins and spores may be in the air. In order to decontaminate the air in your property, restoration contractors use HEPA filters to clean the air. Even if your home doesn’t have a serious mold problem, these can be good to have around as they provide you with cleaner air. You can find a good one at this link.

3. Remove, Clean, And Dispose of All Clothes and Personal Belongs That Could Potentially Be Contaminated with Mold

If there was mold growing in your closet, it is possible that it has contaminated your personal belongings. A professional restoration company will remove these contents and clean whatever they can, disposing of some contents that may be overly contaminated. If the mold remediation is covered by your insurance, it is possible that they will reimburse you for the items that were deemed unsalvageable and for at least most of the contractor’s fees.

4. Remove Any Materials That May Be Contaminated

If the damage is bad, your restoration contractor might need to remove the mold contaminated areas and eventually replace them. This is an effective practice, but may be slightly more time consuming and more expensive than remediating the mold on the spot.

5. Check for Moisture in the Building and Dry the Water Damage

Once the damaged materials have been removed, it is time to dry the water damage that is providing the mold the moisture it needs to grow. Your restoration contractor will use a moisture meter like the one found here to detect where the water damage is. Once they do that, they will use use dehumidifiers, fans, and other equipment to dry out the property.

6. Put Back the Damaged Materials

Once the water damage has been dried, it is time to replace the contaminated materials with brand new ones that are not infested with mold.

7. Use a Specialized Mold Spray to Remove Any Excess Mold

After the contaminated areas have been replaced, it’s time to clean up the final bits of mold with a mold removal spray, like the one found here.

8. Put Your Cleaned Personal Belongings Back

Now that the mold has been taken care of, it’s time to put back your cleaned belongings. The contractor will most likely put your contents back in the closet just like they were before the mold remediation process started.

How to Prevent Mold from Coming Back

Mold will often come back if it is not remediated properly or if there are still the conditions that allow for it to grow. Here are a few actions you can take to prevent this from happening:

• Waterproof parts of your property
• Regularly check your property with a moisture meter
• Keep your HVAC and plumbing materials clean and in good condition
• Use an air purifier like this one to reduce the spores in the air

Hire a Professional

So now that you’ve learned more about mold in your closet, it is time to take some action towards solving your specific mold related problems. We recommend you start by calling the number on our website for a free estimate!