12 Ways to Thoroughly (And Affordably) Deal With Mold

When you hear mold in a house, your first thought might be catastrophic. It sounds like something that could make a home unhabitable — but it's more common to have mold in a house than you might think.

When mold is present, you may have allergy symptoms, including sneezing, itchy eyes, and coughing, so treating it quickly is necessary. Luckily, minor cases of mold can be dealt with through affordable DIY methods that don't require hiring outside help.

If your mold issue is minor, here are some efficient and cost-effective ways to treat it and smart ways to prevent it, a must for any homeowner

Use a mold and mildew spray cleaner to get rid of mold in the shower. Spray the cleaner on mold spots, give it time to act, then rinse the cleaner away with hot water. Repeat if necessary, and allow to dry thoroughly.

If there is mold growing on your plastic shower curtain or liner, you can throw it in the washing machine and wash it on hot with laundry detergent and bleach. Add a few old towels into the laundry at the same time. Hang it to dry.

Use a mixture of dishwashing liquid and water to gently remove mold from wood. Use it to gently scrub off the mold, though don't let it sit the way you would on other surfaces — you don't want the wood to stay wet for long.

With mold on outdoor surfaces, such as sidewalks, use a spray made of bleach and water. Let it sit, then use an outdoor scrubber to remove the mold. Rinse with a hose or, even better, a power washer.

Pre-treat clothes with mold stains by soaking them in white vinegar for up to thirty minutes. Then rub in laundry detergent to affected areas. Wash as you normally would, but add bleach if it's safe for the fabric. Air dry, then repeat. You can put the item in the dryer only after the mold is completely gone.

The sight of mold on walls can be distressing, but it's an easy DIY process to remove it yourself. First, clean the area with a mixture of dishwashing liquid and bleach. Rinse it off, then use a bleach mixture of one gallon of water to ¾ cup of bleach. Let it sit to take action, then scrub the area. Rinse, let dry, then repeat if necessary.

Now, here's how to prevent mold from finding a home in your house.

Mold thrives in humid environments, and the best way to stop mold in its tracks is to get rid of the humidity. Pick up a dehumidifier and make sure the humidity in your home stays below 50%.

Improper insulation can let moisture in, leading to areas where mold can develop. Check to make sure there aren't drafts that could let moisture in and allow condensation to appear.

Does your bathroom have a vent? If it doesn't, it should. And, if it does, it should vent outside. Moisture should be removed from the home, and that means venting any areas prone to moisture, including bathrooms and clothes dryers (think about all that moisture coming off wet clothes!).

Whether you're taking a shower or boiling water in the kitchen, any activity that is producing moisture is an opportunity for mold spores to take hold. Open the windows whenever there is humidity inside to help air the space out (unless there's more humidity outside!).

Have you ever considered that water could be behind your tile? Depending on the integrity of your tile, there could be moisture seeping back there. Reseal your grout every several years to make sure it stays waterproof and doesn't let mold start taking hold.

If you have items that could become a breeding ground for bold, such as textiles or paper, don't store them in basements or other areas that have high humidity. This could ruin them if mold spores do find their way in.

The easiest way to save money on mold is to avoid living in a house with it.

If you're buying a house, consider getting a mold inspection at the same time as your primary inspection. 

If mold is found, you can ask that the seller pay for mold remediation before you close, saving you time and effort and eliminating some money stress down the line.