While mold can be a common inhabitant in the kitchen or bathroom, it can also thrive and grow in basically any part of your house under the right conditions—including your bedroom.
Mold can cause several health issues such as problems with sleep, respiratory illnesses, and allergies if left alone.
This article will explore everything you need to know about mold in the bedroom and how to prevent or get rid of it.
What is mold?
Molds are microorganisms that belong to the kingdom Fungi. In nature, mold can be found in damp, dark places. Mold breaks down dead and decaying matter, playing an important role in the ecosystem.
While mold is active over a wide range of temperatures, it requires high moisture and relative humidity for optimum growth.
Molds, like other organisms, come in various colors, including black and green, and can look fuzzy, slimy, or like discolored splotches.
Some varieties of mold like Aspergillus and Penicillium can cause allergies, while others such as Stachybotrys can release toxins, causing you harm.
How mold impacts health
Mold spores are present in the air. When we breathe them in, our immune system usually fights off these mold spores. When our immune system fails to protect us, mold can cause pretty serious health issues.
Aspergillus can cause Aspergillosis, a condition that primarily affects the lungs but can affect other parts of your body such as your skin.
Mold in general can cause two types of health issues:
- Allergic reactions
- Irritation
Symptoms of a mold allergy can include hay fever, asthma attacks in individuals with asthma, runny nose, and sneezing. Irritation by mold can cause respiratory issues and irritation of the skin, eyes, nose, and throat.
Mold in the bedroom: what you need to know
Mold usually requires moisture and humidity to grow, so look for areas in your bedroom that are likely to have these conditions.
Water leaks from an adjacent bathroom/kitchen or a room above can lead to water accumulation and give mold the perfect opportunity to grow.
Look for mold growth on walls and ceilings. Other areas where mold can grow are in and behind your wardrobe and other places of furniture, behind your wallpaper, and under your mattress if you have a floor mattress.
A 2020 study published in Environment International stated that visible mold was associated with insomnia, snoring, and difficulty in initiating and maintaining sleep, whereas mold odor was associated with increased onset of difficulty in initiating sleep.
A cross-sectional study with 5,545 participants found an increased probability of obstructive sleep apnea when living in housing with mildew or a musty odor in the US.
How to prevent mold in the bedroom
Prevention is key when it comes to mold infestation. Though you can’t get rid of all mold spores, you can control mold growth in your bedroom. Here are a few ways to prevent mold spores from calling your bedroom home:
- Use a dehumidifier to reduce the moisture content in your bedroom to no higher than 50% all day
- Make sure your room is well-ventilated
- Clean up water spills within 24-48 hours
- Lift a floor mattress from the floor to ventilate and dry
- Add mold inhibitors to paints before painting your walls
How to get rid of mold in the bedroom
Prevention is the better option when it comes to mold infestation. But if you do see mold in your bedroom, you should take steps to get rid of it.
Areas under 10 square feet can be cleaned by yourself—but if you’re allergic to mold or have asthma or other respiratory conditions, then you’ll want to get someone else to clean your space.
Wear an N95 mask and rubber gloves to minimize mold exposure when you start cleaning. Mold can be removed from hard surfaces using vinegar, 3% hydrogen peroxide, and a paste of baking soda and water. However, porous surfaces such as drywall will need to be discarded.
The bottom line: Mold infestation is a serious issue that should be tackled immediately. While you can get rid of a mold infestation, not tackling the root cause may cause it to grow again. If you aren’t sure what the black, brown, or green areas in your bedroom are, then consider calling a mold inspector to check it out.
FAQs
Is it OK to sleep in a room with mold?
While it may seem harmless to sleep in a room with mold, it can cause several health issues. Research has shown that mold can cause difficulty initiating sleep, difficulty maintaining sleep, and insomnia. Besides sleep issues, it can worsen respiratory illnesses such as asthma.
Can mold in your bedroom make you ill?
Yes, mold in your bedroom can make you ill. Besides hindering your quality of sleep, it can also cause other unexplainable symptoms such as chronic cough, fatigue unexplained rashes, and muscle pain. It’s a good idea to check for mold if you’re feeling sick for no explainable reason.
What causes mold in bedrooms?
Mold thrives in moist areas, so anything that increases the moisture content in your room can cause mold. Some of the common causes of increased moisture content are leaking pipes water damage to furniture, humidifiers, and damp furniture. Besides internal causes, external factors such as floods and heavy rains can cause the growth of mold in your bedroom
What should you do if you find mold in your bedroom?
If you do find mold in your bedroom, you should clean it up immediately. You can use vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and mold removers for small areas. Areas over 10 square feet may require professional cleanup.
Can mold grow in a mattress? Here’s everything you need to know about mold in mattresses and how to get rid of it.
