Curator: Your guide to mold & mildew prevention & protection – National

Moisture is mold’s best friend, especially in basements, laundry rooms, and bathrooms. Health Canada recommends keeping indoor humidity below 50% in the summer, and the simplest way to achieve that number is to use a dehumidifier. The Midea Cube 20-Pint Dehumidifier covers up to 1,500 square feet, is ENERGY STAR certified, and allows you to set a target humidity level so the room can reach that target. Place it in your most humid room during the warm, wet months, then let it do its work.

And how do you measure humidity? If you have a smart thermostat, it will tell you humidity levels, but if not, an inexpensive TempPro TP49 hygrometer will read room humidity in real-time. That way you don’t have to guess.

We can’t monitor every place for mold, and hidden places like closets, under the sink, cars, RVs, boats, sheds, storage rooms inevitably fall victim to moisture buildup and start to smell musty. In many cases, by the time an odor is detected, the damage has already been done. This is where Hanging Moisture Dampers can be of great help. They use calcium chloride and activated charcoal to remove moisture from the air, without requiring electricity.

Grab a hanging bag for closets, vehicles, and under the sink, and a larger tub for the basement, boat, or storage room. They’re made for boat cabins, which tells you everything about how well they handle damp, enclosed spaces. You’ll even see moisture fill the container as the active ingredients dissolve, and you’ll know exactly when it’s time to replace it.

Your bathroom is the most humid area in your home, which makes it a favorite place for mold and mildew. The best thing to do is use a squeegee after use (I promise, it takes less than 60 seconds), and ventilate during your shower and for at least 30 minutes afterward. Full disclosure: I have a bathroom fan timer switch and it turns on when I start showering and it stays on for 2 hours because I really hate mold and mildew!

But if you forget to use the squeegee and vent, I have a little insurance for you. Wet & Forget Shower is a spray you spritz on after showering and walking away. No rubbing, no rinsing; it prevents the buildup of soap scum and mold. Do this every week and it will prevent bad things from happening.

Mold and mildew aren’t just an indoor problem in the summer. That green and black film also spreads on decks, walls, fences, and patio furniture, and most people ignore it or fight it with no-nonsense methods. Wet & Forget Outdoor lets you skip the pressure washer: spray it, and the wind and rain will destroy the moss, mold, mildew, and algae over the next few weeks. One tip to remember is to apply it in the cool, dry morning hours, not during the heat of the day, and not within about four to five hours of rain. It’s a slow, easy fix and you’ll see results over time, not immediately, but that’s the point!

The goal is prevention, but if mold has settled into your washer’s grout, caulk, or rubber gasket, you need something that hits the mark. ACTIVE Seal & Grout Mold Stain Remover is a thick gel that sticks to vertical surfaces and does not drip. Apply it, let it sit for a few hours, then wipe it off with a paper towel. Put on gloves and break a window or turn on a fan because this is a powerful thing, but it works.