How To Keep Your Home Clean And Free From Bacteria And Mold

Mold and bacteria are gaining increasing public attention for invading homes and causing all kinds of illnesses and infections. Keeping a home clean and free of mold and bacteria can be an effective way of protecting air quality, along with help of air purification devices, such as the TADIRAN AIROW 3™.

Can bacteria and mold cause health problems?

Bacteria and mold can pose a threat to human health. They can be especially harmful when an individual is exposed to high levels of bacteria or mold, or repeatedly exposed over prolonged periods, or where an individual has particular sensitivity to either microorganism.

In homes, bacteria can be found on surfaces, in food or water, in the air, on skin and inside human bodies. However, not all bacteria are “good” bacteria, like Lactobacillus, which is a probiotic used to promote digestion. “Bad” bacteria can be incredibly harmful to human health. Mild illnesses, such as ear infections and strep throat, can be caused by a bacteria called Streptococcus pyogenes. Food poisoning can be caused by Listeria, Salmonella and E. coli, and often results in a short period of violent illness. Many of these bacteria can also be life threatening, including those mentioned above, can be life threatening.

Like bacteria, mold can be inert (neutral and showing no effect on people) or it can be bad for human health. Mold is prevalent in our everyday lives, however there is a big difference between the molds used to make stinky cheeses, like Penicillium (P.) roqueforti, and highly toxic mold, which can infest buildings and cause a range of health problems for people. Mold is often responsible for symptoms such as runny noses, headaches, coughs, sneezes and sinus issues. In more severe cases, mold has resulted in chronic yeast infections, fevers, shortness of breath, and in death.

Many bacteria and mold found in the home can release toxins and spores that remain trapped indoors, even after deep cleaning. Harmful particles float in the air, undetectable by the naked eye, and putting people and pets at risk of inhaling them. So, how can dangerous spores and toxins be removed from homes?

10 solutions for keeping bacteria and mold out of your home

It’s possible to reduce bacteria and mold in your home by cleaning and maintaining your indoor spaces. Most solutions emphasize a regular cleaning routine that tackles mold, bacteria, and other pathogens found on surfaces in the home. This cleaning is important, but surface cleaning will not remove any pathogens that are floating in the air. Without an air purification device, indoor air quality can remain poor, even in homes where surfaces are regularly cleaned.

1. Clean your entire home regularly. Bacteria and mold can be brought into the home every day and will spread from one room to another quickly, so be sure to keep cleanliness levels high throughout your home. Adopting regular cleaning schedules that include vacuuming, mopping, disinfecting surfaces, cleaning out A/C units and addressing problem areas will help keep your house clean and mold free.
2. Invest in an air purifier. Air purifiers can operate constantly, purifying the air of toxins and spores that have not settled on surfaces. These airborne toxins can be generated by particles on surfaces in the home. They can also include mold spores that are brought into the home on people’s coats, shoes, and through air moving from outdoors to indoors. Air purification devices actively work to combat these air-borne pathogens. The TADIRAN AIROW 3™ neutralizes toxins and spores, preventing them from being inhaled by people and pets. The technology is certified ozone-free and can be installed onto existing A/C units.
3. High traffic areas and surfaces will need additional cleaning. This includes items like light switches, doorknobs, toilet handles, faucets, kitchen countertops and general surfaces. These areas are frequently touched by people and are the perfect location for bacteria and other pathogens to transfer between people in the home. Using a disinfectant spray to wipe down surfaces will help remove pathogens and also prevent them from becoming airborne.
4. Dust regularly. This helps to avoid a buildup of toxins, pet dander, and dirt. Without regular dusting, dust mites can thrive and cause allergic reactions such as sinusitis for some people. Bacteria and mold spores also can attach to dust particles and be transferred this way, both by the air and by hand-to-surface or hand-to-hand contact. An air purifier will help to neutralize toxins and spores that are moved into the air during dusting.
5. Use the appropriate cleaning solutions. Disinfectants kill bacteria and viruses on surfaces. Air purifiers tackle airborne pathogens. If you find mold in your home, use disinfectants designed to tackle mold and mildew that can be used in damp areas, such as in bathrooms, and around windows when damp may present itself. These solutions are only appropriate for surfaces, so to thoroughly clean the home, switching on an air purifier will help to remove any spores that could become future mold patches.
6. Monitor humidity levels and keep them low. Mold can quickly thrive in a damp room and then spread to other areas in your home. Use a dehumidifier to keep humidity levels low and keep mold away.
7. Fix leaks and address water damage. Leaks can cause water damage which will later create a perfect environment for mold to grow. In addition, standing water can foster bacterial growth, which releases toxins into the air.
8. Clean kitchens and bathrooms. Kitchens are favored by bacteria, as dirty dishes, used chopping boards, sinks, refrigerator shelves and trash cans are the perfect place for bacteria to multiply. In bathrooms, mold can grow in difficult to reach areas, such as behind toilets and sinks, and along ceilings. Be sure to tackle both rooms in your home, which will likely be used frequently. This can lead to bacteria and mold being transferred throughout your home, so switch on your air purifier to stop the spread of mold spores and other pathogens between rooms.
9. Wash towels, bedding, cleaning cloths, and blankets regularly. Textiles can absorb bacteria and create a perfect environment for dust mites, which consume dead skin cells, to thrive. Mold can also grow in damp cloths and heavy fabrics, so be sure to fully dry all laundry before stowing or reusing them.
10. Keep pets and their bedding, housing, and food stores clean. From fish and frogs, to cats and dogs, people love pets and consider them a part of the family. Homes with pets must take extra care to keep the animals clean, as well as pet bedding areas, or pet housing, such as tanks, aquariums, or cages. Pets that move inside and outside the home can also transfer bacteria and mold into clean homes with every trip, so take extra care with keeping your pet clean.

Even the cleanest homes cannot escape the world of airborne mold spores and pathogens, floating outside. Mold spores are regularly brought into homes, by people, air movement, and on other surfaces. Surface cleaning can help remove them, but only an active air purifier can target the spores and other pathogens in the air.

How to get rid of indoor mold

Mold infestations can be difficult to get rid of, so here are 6 steps you can take to eliminate the problem and prevent mold from returning.

• Find the source. Look for damp areas, like bathrooms, kitchens, damp spots in rooms where water leaks may have previously occurred, or foyers, garages, or laundry rooms. Basements and any part of homes that are below ground level are susceptible to rising damp in some climates, so scout out all possible sources and make a note of them. If there is a leak causing a damp spot, get it fixed as soon as possible.
• Protect yourself with the right gear. Mold is toxic and releases spores into the air, especially when it is disturbed. Protect yourself with gloves, goggles, and a mask. If necessary, seek expert help to tackle the problem, especially where mold is spreading to areas that don’t even appear to be damp.
• Remove as much mold as possible. Thoroughly clean the affected areas, using proper cleaning materials, such as a mold and mildew remover. In severe cases, throwing away bedding, clothing, and other household items that are contaminated with mold may be more effective than trying to clean them. Additionally, mold can signify structural damage caused by damp, so paintwork, plaster, and drywall may need to be removed in instances where mold is deeply embedded in the walls. In other cases, carpets can become contaminated, and it may be impossible to guarantee that mold won’t return after the carpet is cleaned. Consult a professional if you’re unsure about how best to tackle the mold.
• Dry out the area. Once you’ve successfully cleaned the mold from areas, make sure that it fully dries out. Damp areas can quickly become home to fresh mold infestation. Dehumidifiers can be very useful at both removing moisture from the air and giving you an indication of humidity levels in certain areas of your home.
• Continuously check for mold. Once mold has infested a property, mold spores are carried in the air and can settle in new areas. As these spores are invisible, many people complain of it “returning” within days, weeks, or months of removal. In reality, the mold spores likely never left the indoor space, so it’s important to make a habit of routinely checking for new mold patches in the home.

6. Invest in an air purification system. Even after thoroughly cleaning your home and removing mold, mold spores may still be present in the air. These spores can quickly find damp areas that are suitable growing spots and create a new mold problem. Air purification systems like the TADIRAN AIROW 3™ can neutralize mold spores in the air, helping in the fight against mold.

Does hydrogen peroxide kill bacteria?

Hydrogen peroxide is an excellent method for killing bacteria, mold, and viruses. One of the possible ways that the hydrogen peroxide neutralizes microorganisms is by the releasing of free radicals that may destroy bacteria through a process called cell-lysis.

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is so effective that it is regularly used in hospitals to disinfect surfaces and areas where bacteria can easily spread. Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are two bacteria that can be quite deadly, and to protect vulnerable individuals in hospitals who are at a higher risk, surface cleaning is regularly undertaken.

Using the right concentration of hydrogen peroxide is important and in the case of air purification technology, only minimal amounts of hydrogen peroxide are required to effectively neutralize most air borne toxins. The TADIRAN AIROW 3™ meets the occupational exposure limit of hydrogen peroxide as defined by OSHA, producing concentrations of Hydrogen peroxide that are 50-100 times lower than the standard limits.

Is there an air purifier that can help with mold removal?

The TADIRAN AIROW 3™ is a certified air purifying device that can remove mold spores from the air and help tackle mold problems.

The technology for the TADIRAN AIROW 3™ has been proven to reduce methicillin resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis by 99.994% in just 1 hour. Testing has shown that the technology can reduce levels of Penicillium Citrinum mold by 99.4 % in 3 hours in a 25 cubic meter chamber.

Air conditioner filter maintenance checklist

If you’re using the TADIRAN AIROW 3™ you won’t need to worry about any maintenance for the air purification device. However, it works by attaching to an air conditioner, which will need to be more regularly maintained.

The following checklist will help you with your air conditioner maintenance, in particular, with ensuring the filter in your AC is working efficiently.

• Check the filter Some models will recommend checking the filter monthly to ensure that it is clean and has no visible dust or dirt blocking the air flow. If the filter is left unchecked, it can become blocked, which makes the air conditioner work harder to maintain the airflow and can subsequently damage the unit.
• Replace the filter as recommended. Filters may need to be replaced after a certain period of time or if they become particularly dirty and cleaning is ineffective at returning them to their original condition. Check the instructions on your unit to be sure to replace the filter when required.
• Check the airflow. An A/C that has a clean filter but no airflow is not working efficiently. The airflow should be quite consistent and strong. If the airflow feels weak, there may be a technical issue with your A/C fan or with a duct.
• Check for mold. Mold and mildew can easily build up in A/Cs and this is particularly dangerous as the mold spores will be blown around the entire indoor space if left unchecked. If you discover mold or mildew on your filter, replace it immediately. If other parts of the A/C have signs of mold growth, get it cleaned thoroughly as soon as possible to prevent spores from spreading around your home.

5. Schedule maintenance with an HVAC technician. A professional technician will be able to properly inspect, clean, and repair your unit, keeping your A/C running efficiently. An A/C unit that is working in peak condition will be able to support your TADIRAN AIROW 3™ purifier performing at its best.

Fight mold and bacteria with Tadiran’s air purification device

The TADIRAN AIROW 3™ is a powerful device that can help eliminate airborne contaminants and toxins caused by harmful bacteria and mold. Whether an indoor space is particularly susceptible to mold or not, once mold growth starts, it can be very difficult to prevent it coming back. Additionally, households are a home to many harmful bacteria that can be easily tackled with both a good cleaning routine and an air purification device to keep air pure and fresh indoors.