Before the rainy season, there are a series of consultations about "mold" Measures such as air conditioners and baths

The rainy season. What I am worried about is the development of "mold".

What is important is the measures taken at this time. We have summarized the points.

"Moldy" consultation one after another

Ahead of the rainy season, NPOs that receive consultations about mold have begun to receive consultations on mold prevention and removal, and the center urges that it is important to take measures before mold grows.

The NPO "Mold Consultation Center" accepts consultations by phone while conducting research on mold.

Since last week, when the rainy season approached, the center has received a series of inquiries such as "Mold has grown on the floors and bathrooms of houses, so please tell us how to remove it."

Consultations usually peak from mid-June to early July, and about 6 consultations are received every year.

Kosuke Takatori, president of the Mold Consultation Center, said, "The most important thing is to prevent mold from inhaling as much as possible.

The key points of mold countermeasures are

We asked Takayuki Yaguchi, a veteran staff member who also serves as a house cleaning training instructor at Tokyo Gas, about the key points of mold countermeasures.

According to Mr. Yaguchi, during the rainy season, it is important to ventilate sufficiently, wipe off moisture, and not leave stains that are nutrients for mold, so this time we asked him about specific measures for bathrooms, washing machines, and air conditioners that are prone to mold.

【Bathroom measures】

In the bathroom, red-looking bacteria on the bottom of shampoo bottles and in the corners of bathtubs can be removed relatively easily by rubbing them with a sponge.

On the other hand, "black mold" that occurs on the joints of walls and floors is said to be difficult to remove just by rubbing.

Mr. Yaguchi explains how to prevent it as follows.

First, keep the ventilation fan running all the time if possible.

And after bathing, rinse the floor and walls with a hot shower, and once a week use bath detergent and sponge to remove dirt.

After rinsing off in the shower, it is important to wipe off as much moisture as possible with a drainer wiper or microfiber cloth.

If black mold appears

If black mold occurs, spray chlorine bleach for mold and tap it from above with a brush.

If it still does not come off, spray it with bleach, cover it with a tissue over it, and leave it for about 30 minutes.

And it is easy to remove if you wash bleach well, wet the entire area, apply detergent and rub it with a sponge or toothbrush.

Mr. Yaguchi said, "If you try to forcibly rub and remove the mold that has become stuck and hard, it may be scratched, so be careful."

【Measures for washing machines】

Next is the measures for washing machines.

Have you ever been worried about the smell of laundry when drying your room during the rainy season?

It is said that one of the causes is mold in the washing machine.

Dirt tends to accumulate in the holes, edges, and detergent outlets of the washing tub, and mold tends to grow on the back of the washing tub because moisture does not evaporate easily.

To prevent mold from growing, it is important to leave the lid open when not in use and not leave the laundry in the washing machine.

In addition, it is said that it is effective to follow the instructions and frequently clean with a washing tank cleaner.

Mr. Yaguchi said, "If a large amount of mold grows inside the washing tub, it will be difficult for the general public to remove it, so please be especially careful during the rainy season."

【Measures for air conditioners】

Finally, it is an air conditioner that will be active in the coming season.

The inside of the air conditioner, air outlets, and filters are prone to mold, so it is important to clean them frequently.

First, unplug the power plug and wipe the air outlet with a mop or rag.

Next, open the front panel of the air conditioner and remove the filter from the body.

After removing dust from the surface of the filter, wash it with water, remove fine dust, and wipe it with a towel to dry it thoroughly to keep it clean.

Also, in the case of an air conditioner that does not have an automatic cleaning function, it is important to dry the inside by setting it to the air blowing mode after use.

On the other hand, if mold is visible from the air conditioner vent, there may be a lot of mold growing behind it.

When it happens, it is not easy to get rid of it, so if possible, it is better to ask a contractor.