(ThyBlackMan.com) There is no denying how we feel when humidity and heat are high. It’s stuffy and we feel like everywhere we turn we are sitting in a huge sauna. While the excessive moisture might be good for our skin it leaves our hair frizzy and our energy levels low.
Did you realize that high humidity can bring on a whole slew of problems that have far more to do with your health? It’s true. When the moisture floating in our air is excessive all sorts of little friends come to visit. We use the term “friends” loosely because these visitors are anything but. I’m talking about mold, mildew, and dust mites.
When humidity levels are high, things like mold thrive. What’s even worse is that they multiply right within the walls of our home. Just 
like any other pest in this world, outside of our home doesn’t bother us that much. Inside our home is completely different story.
What is Mold?
In short, mold is fungi that are formed in a shape that resembles a thread termed hyphae. They are multicellular and single cells because there are many types of mold in the world. There is the type of mold that grows on the food in your refrigerator or in your blue cheese.
Then there is the type of mold that grows in your walls when the humidity is too high. This type will look like stains and can appear in a variety of colors. It typically smells musty even if no stains are visible. So if you start smelling musty odors in your home it might be wise to check thoroughly for a mold growth.
Prevention Is Key
A dehumidifier can help combat mold. These little devices come in handy when there is too much moisture in your home. They help by pulling it out of the air. While they cannot actually remove mold that has already grown in your home, it’s a great way to prevent mold if you don’t have it. This is the first step toward eliminating moisture and creating a mold free home.
You should keep your dehumidifier in an area of your home that is the holds the most moisture. If you do find evidence of mold growth in your home then there are steps you can take to get rid of it.
Natural Remedies
While there are great chemical killers of mold spores it adds chemicals to our environment. If keeping natural is important to you then try a few of these steps to take care of the infestation naturally.
Not Just For Salads
White vinegar is a great cleaning substance and it can kill mold. Naturally, white vinegar fights off microbial substances. All you need to do is put some in a spray bottle and douse the existing spots you suspect to be mold. Let it penetrate the mold for a while.
Then get a clean rag and wipe the spot. The mold should remove easily. Of course, if it doesn’t disappear keep repeating until the mold is gone.
Oil
Specifically tea tree oil. This natural substance will fight the mold and the mildew that deep humidity leaves behind. With this you should dilute 10 drops of the tea tree oil into a spray bottle and then fill the rest with water. Just as with the vinegar, spray it directly on the mold.
Give it some time and then wipe it down, just as you would with the vinegar. The mold should wipe away. You can repeat this as many times as needed.
Not Just For Drinking
Another substance that kills mold well is vodka. There is no need to use the expensive stuff in your liquor cabinet either. Just apply it directly to the affected areas and let it sit for awhile. The mold should wipe away easily.
How It Affects Your Health
Mold proposes a great problem for anyone that has developed an allergy to it. We care a great deal about our health and that of our family. Once the mold spores enter the person’s system through their breath they can have a series of reactions including sneezing, coughing, wheezing, itchy eyes, and skin irritations.
If you have a family member who has asthma the risk is much higher. Mold can cause an asthma sufferer to have chest pain and even shorten their breath. Excessive humidity can be a trigger for anyone with asthma, not to mention the possible mold infestation and its effects.
Conclusion
Humidity is fine outside, but when it comes to our homes, we need to keep them as safe for our families. Diminishing the amount of moisture that comes into your home is not that hard to do if you add a dehumidifier. The next step is the check for mold, if found, eliminate it. You and your family will be able to breathe easier for it.
Staff Writer; Shawn Jacobs