Air Filtration: Common Holiday Items That Cause Mold Growth

Everybody wants to be happy and healthy during the holidays. And if you or someone in your family suffers from allergies or respiratory disease, then you likely go to extra lengths to ensure that your home provides a healthy environment. However, did you know that there are some common holiday items that can bring mold spores into your home and cause mold growth? 

Christmas Trees

According to a recent study, live Christmas trees can bring a significant amount of mold indoors. In fact, the mold count that originated from a tree can rise as much as 500 percent of the normal level after 14 days of bringing the tree indoors. That leaves us vulnerable to mold, especially if a mold allergy is present. Green Decorations

Wreaths, garlands, and other decorations made from live trees come from the same areas as Christmas trees. That means they can also bring a lot of mold into the home. 

Decorations From Storage

If, like most of us, you keep your holiday decorations in storage, then it’s important to understand that they might have mold spores on them. This is especially true if the decorations are stored in cardboard boxes (not plastic) in a dark environment that’s not 100 percent dry.

How Mold Causes Mold Growth

So how exactly do mold spores cause mold growth? 

When an item, such as a wreath, has mold on it, it releases mold spores onto the surfaces of your home, as well as into the air. Those that are released onto the surfaces can start to grow, eventually creating mold colonies. These in turn release mold spores that become airborne. Airborne mold spores travel throughout the home, in addition to being breathed in by you and your family, and can settle on surfaces throughout the home — and this is precisely what makes mold so difficult to contain.

What You Can Do 

There are some precautions you can take to limit the number of mold spores released into your home, however:

• If anyone in your family has allergies or a respiratory condition, then it’s always best to use plastic decorations, not live ones. Fortunately, there are many very realistic-looking trees and wreaths available — or you could just have fun with some bling artificial decorations! Plus, you can always have a live tree in your yard.
• Carefully clean any items that have been in storage. Use a damp cloth and a household cleaner to remove dust and mold spores. Remember to allow at least 24 hours for any lights or other electricity-powered items to dry out.
• If you do want to use live decorations, use an air purifier with a HEPA filter. This will remove the majority of mold spores from the air.
• Remove green decorations after 10 days. This helps limit the number of mold spores they release.
• Give your home a thorough cleaning after taking all the decorations down to remove any remaining mold spores.

If you keep these tips in mind, you can greatly limit the chances of mold growth and instead, have peace of mind that you and your family will have a healthy home for the holidays and into the New Year.

Clearly, having a good air filtration system in your home during the holidays can be a significant boost for you and your family’s health and well-being. Contact your local air filtration specialist to learn more about the available options and to find out what system is best for you.

What makes North Shore Home Energy the best choice for a indoor air quality & air filtration?

North Shore Home Energy should be your go-to company if you want to improve indoor air quality in the North Shore. In addition to equipping you with a working HVAC system, we also have a wide range of indoor air purification services including effective air cleaners and ventilation systems. We want to see you breathing comfortably in your home, especially if you or any members of your household suffer from asthma and allergies. Our solutions can keep your air clean, and the whole family happy!

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Our professionals are trained, certified and only top-notch equipment and industry leading technology to ensure that our customers are satisfied. North Shore Home Energy LLC is a local dedicated HVAC & Refrigeration service company in the North Shore providing excellent service to homes, businesses, and restaurants. With over 25 years in the industry, North Shore Home Energy is here to educate our customers on maintenance and strive for 100% customer satisfaction. Our attention to detail, on-demand service, and fair pricing will keep you running smoothly year after year. We are a proud participating contractor with the Mass Save program.

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