How to live Mold Free in Singapore

The Entire Home in general

Footwear
Have specific footwear for outdoors and indoors. Use separate footwear, for your outings, indoor use and balcony / patio use.

Do not go barefoot into your patio / outdoor and back into your home. You might be introducing the mold in to your home.

Drying Clothes
Avoid drying clothes inside home, as this will add to the moisture content in your home.

Molds from Trees
If you stay below the tree line (6 floor and below in general), you should keep the windows closed and allow windows to be opened for only 2 hours a day, as Mold from the trees will be brought in by the wind.

If you stay above the line, it is okay to leave it open.

Bathroom
Close the bathroom room door after a hot / cold shower, so that the moisture is not introduced to your living area.

Open the ventilation windows after shower until area is dry.

Install an Exhaust Fan if ventilation window is too small.

Leaking pipes / plumbing in the false ceilings, should be disinfected, before and after the pipes / false ceiling are changed.

Bedroom
Use a full wrap around water proof zipped up casings on pillows and mattresses.


Air

Humidifier or Dehumidifier?
Do not use a humidifier in home.

Use a dehumidifier to lower and eliminate moisture in your home. In Singapore, the relative humidity (RH) level is 85%, keep your indoor RH to 40-50%.

Air-conditioning units
Air-conditioning units should be chemically cleaned at least once a year. As it is the most ideal living conditions for mold to live and reproduce. Once your Aircon is infected, mold spores are sent airborne with each use, and infect your entire home with mold.

Air-conditioning fan coils should be checked for mold growth, especially the circular fan area. The fan coils are the most conducive place in the home or office where the molds will thrive.

Check the circular fan and back board for dust / mold from the area where the cold air comes out from.

Take note that "chemical cleaning" by the air con guy is NOT disinfection. It is merely cleaning.


Upholstery & Furniture

There are some furniture companies whose raw wood or compressed chipboard is mold infected before or after manufacture and this has been known to introduce mold into the home. The raw areas of the wooden furniture should be lacquered / painted to stop the mold from further growth after they are disinfected.


Mold Facts

Painting over a moldy spot is a BAD idea, as it will be picked up by the paint rollers / brushes and be spread to the areas where the roller / brushes will be used in. The molds will then remain in a dormant stage, and will spring to life, once when the conditions are conducive (damp with moisture / bad ventilation / condensation) or when the paint starts to flake off.

Take note that Bleach / Strong Acid / Radiation will not kill the mold spores; it only takes away the visible layers, while leaving the spores behind. And once the conditions are right, the molds will start to reproduce again.

If your home is infected, please have it disinfected and then use a dehumidifier / disposable dehumidifier / electric heated rods as maintenance products to maintain a good air quality in your home.



Before you move into a newly rental or purchased unit / house, you should have us; inspect the place during your viewing. And from there, to either get it treated or to choose another unit.
by Terence Yap – EV-Disinfection Pte Ltd
"A few tips on how to live Mold Free in Singapore"
www.evdisinfection.comtoday.