Mold attack!

You may think it’s a cold, but mold spores could be the culprit.

For a while, it seems like you’re coming down with something. But when the sneezing, wheezing and other symptoms don’t go away, you begin wondering what’s blooming outside. All the while, you fail to realize that the culprit could be the mold growing inside your own home.

For allergy and asthma sufferers, controlling triggers, like common household molds, is a key step to feeling better.

It is impossible to keep mold out of the house. It comes in through windows and doors or you and your pets track it in from the outside. The challenge is to keep the millions of microscopic spores from colonizing all over your home. The spores of common household molds are allergens that can trigger symptoms of allergies and asthma.

Where’s the mold?
A new study* from the University of Arizona found that mold is flourishing in some places you might not expect:

On 88% of windowsills

On 83% of refrigerator seals

Under 82% of sinks

On 49% of shower grout

Toxic molds

Common household mold is not the same as “black mold” (Stachybotrys Chartarum), a toxic mold that has been making headlines. Black mold typically grows in dark, hidden places such as behind walls or under carpets. It is suspected that exposure to black mold is linked to serious health effects. If you suspect a black mold problem, do not try to take care of it yourself. Seek professional help immediately.

What can you do to prevent mold build-up?

Here are recommendations from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA).

• Keep humidity levels below 40%

• Use an air conditioner or dehumidifier during humid months

• Make sure your home has adequate ventilation

• Do not carpet bathrooms and basements

• Get rid of moldy materials immediately, once they’re found

• Clean hard surfaces regularly with mold-killing products – Allergy or asthma sufferers should ask nonsensitive people to apply cleaning products www.aafa.org HYPERLINK "http://www.tilex.com" www.tilex.com

What’s the right way to clean?

The best defense against mold build-up is regular cleaning. To effectively kill the mold, use a cleaning product like Tilex® Mold & Mildew Remover*, which has been proven to both remove and kill mold and mildew.

* Because of the potential sensitivities of allergy and asthma suffers to cleaning products, cleaning should be done by a nonsufferer and the area should be allowed to ventilate before reentry. Always read and follow all precautions and usage directions before using cleaning products.