How to Manage
Mold Allergies
in Your Home 

How to Help Reduce Mold-Allergy Symptoms

You can lessen your allergies with medication, cleaning up mold and preventing it at the source.

Take Allergy Medication

• Keep medicine on hand. Antihistamine products like Claritin^® and antihistamine plus decongestant products like Claritin-D^® can be used for both, indoor and outdoor, allergies. Claritin^® provides relief of symptoms triggered by over 200 indoor and outdoor allergens like those from pollen, animals, mold and dust. Claritin is an antihistamine, so it hinders the cascade triggered by allergens

Maintain Low Moisture

• Eliminate sources of dampness. Check your basement for pipe leaks or groundwater seepage and fix any issues or call a plumber for help. Reattach disconnected dryer vents.
• Use a dehumidifier. If any area of your home smells musty or damp, you’ll want to bring the moisture level down. Keeping humidity levels below 50% in your home discourages mold growth.
• Don't carpet bathrooms and basements. Mold likes the cool, damp atmosphere in these rooms, so avoid providing a place for mold to inhabit by skipping out on carpet.

Air It Out

• Use an air conditioner. Central air conditioning units with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter can trap mold spores and prevent them from circulating in your home.
• Ventilate. Ensure your bathrooms and kitchens are properly ventilated. Use a bathroom ventilation fan during and after your shower. The exhaust fan over your stove will help remove steam from cooking.

Keep Your Space Clean And Decluttered

• Get rid of old books, papers and clothes. If left in damp places, such as basements, they can quickly become moldy.
• Act fast. Quick action pays off. If a leak or spill leaves the rug wet, dry it within 48 hours to keep mold from growing.

Be Observant

• Check your landscape. Promote groundwater drainage away from your house by removing leaves and vegetation from around the foundation and cleaning out rain gutters frequently.
• Clean your appliances. Discard spoiled food in your fridge promptly to minimize mold growth. Clean around the seals on your washer and don’t leave wet clothes in it.
• Inspect the places you rarely go. Regularly clean out closets and inspect attics, crawl spaces and junk rooms. A leak can go undetected for a long time in rooms you rarely use.