The Democratic Convention starts today in Denver, but the big story here in Florida is, of course, Fay. Although today is looking wet, wet, wet, as the outer bands of the tropical depression move out, my northwest corner of the state had a relatively easy weekend. At least, compared to the rest of Florida. Lots of areas on the peninsula have flooded, including Cocoa Beach. Fay dumped over 30 inches of rain there the last several days.
So today’s all about mold, a major asthma trigger, and a dangerous one. The number-one rule for cleaning up major mold? Don’t do it if you have a mold allergy, asthma or any other lung problem. Find someone else.
Further Mold Guidelines
1. Keep anyone with asthma or lung problems away from clean-up areas.
2. Clean out and dry up the house before you tackle the mold. (CDC instructions below.)
3. Open windows and doors and use fans.
4. Use your air conditioner and heating systems to help dry out the house. (NY Times instructions below.)
5. Remove anything that absorbs floodwater and that’s been wet over 48 hours, since you can’t thoroughly clean it. This includes carpet, upholstered items, wallpaper, and even drywall and insulation.
6. You need to clean all wet items that are non-absorbent in order to prevent mold growth. Use detergent and water.
7. To clean the mold itself off non-absorbent surfaces, you can use soap and water, vinegar, mold-cleaning products, or bleach. Obviously, if you’re in a major disaster area you probably can’t be picky with cleaning solutions, especially since mold grows and destroys very fast. If you have a choice, though, vinegar is the greenest solution and the one I’d use.
8. If you’re cleaning a large quantity of mold, use gloves, a dust mask, and goggles with no ventilation holes.
More
CDC: Reentering Your Flooded Home
New York Times: Flood, Mold, and Mildew Damage
What a great post. I’m glad you’ve escaped the worst of the wetness!
Really an interesting post, and from my point of view totally unexpected! One thing we don’t have here in my neck of the woods is a mold problem. Air is just too dry! I read, I learn, but seldom comment. Good Job asthma mom.
old guy
Thanks, “old guy”—-er, um, Mr. Asthma-Mom-in-Law!
I’d be more than thrilled to get out of this wet climate and over to that dry one! Here’s hoping it happens soon…..