White Mold: The 11 Most Asked Questions
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White mold is a type of fungus that can grow both indoors and outdoors. It is often found in damp, humid environments and can cause a number of health problems. This article will answer the eleven most common questions about its causes, symptoms, as well as mold removal options.
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What is white mold?
White mold is a type of mold that can be found in many homes. The mold thrives in moist areas, where there is a food source like wood present. The mold may appear white, gray, green, black, or other tints. White mold is not a specific type of mold – many species of mold may appear white.
The most common types of white mold are aspergillus, Cladosporium, and penicillium.
Aspergillus is a type of mold that can be found in many homes. Aspergillus is often found on food, in the soil, and on decaying leaves. It can also be found in air conditioning units, humidifiers, and other damp places.
Aspergillus can cause a number of health problems, including respiratory infections, allergies, and asthma. People with weakened immune systems or chronic lung diseases are at greater risk for these health problems.
Cladosporium is not a single species of mold. Rather Cladosporium is a genus of mold that includes more than 40 individual species of fungus.
Cladosporium appears in clusters of black, yellow, or green spots. The spots spread quickly when not cleaned away. Cladosporium often forms where moisture is present.
Most kinds of Cladosporium are not dangerous to humans, but sometimes they may lead to allergies, or they may worsen asthma. In rare cases, the mold may lead to infections.
Penicillium can threaten those with weak or compromised immune systems, causing allergic reactions or infections. Some species produce mycotoxins which are known carcinogens. Other species cause measurable organ damage when inhaled.
What does white mold look like?
White mold is a type of fungi that can appear powdery, fuzzy or filmy. It is often hard to detect in its early stages since the spores are very small. However, once the colonies form, white mold will appear as white spots on a surface. Although it can look similar to mildew at first, white mold is more harmful since it can grow within organic materials, not just on the surface.
Efflorescence is often confused with white mold. Both are white in color and found on walls and other building materials. Efflorescence is salt deposits commonly found on concrete and brick. It develops when water evaporates from concrete or brick, and leaves behind a salty residue on the surface of the material.
Efflorescence dissolves in water; mold does not. White mold gives off a distinctive odor while efflorescence does not have a smell.
Efflorescence causes only cosmetic damage and will not threaten the structural safety of your home. It also doesn’t pose any risk to your health.
What causes white mold?
White mold needs two things to thrive – a moist environment and a food source. Common food sources are wood, drywall, carpeting and other organic materials. They use air moisture and organic material to form colonies.
Since the main cause of white mold is excessive moisture, it is important to control moisture levels in order to prevent the growth of this fungus.

Where can you find white mold in your house?
Attics
Most white molds prefer dark, moist environments in which to grow. As a result, attics are often prime locations for the growth of white mold. Attics contain plenty of food sources for mold, such as wood and insulation, and they are often poorly ventilated. This combination of factors creates an ideal environment for mold to take root. In addition, leaky roofs and pipes can provide mold with the moisture it needs to grow. Once mold has taken hold in an attic, it can be difficult to remove.
Basements
White mold is a type of mold that is commonly found in basements. White mold can grow on concrete walls, wooden floor joists, and possessions stored in the basement, such as clothing or cardboard boxes. Water often seeps through basement walls to create a moist environment that is beneficial to mold growth. In addition, cold outside air that comes in contact with warm indoor air in basements can cause condensation, which makes it a perfect breeding ground for white mold.
Crawlspaces
White mold loves dark, damp, and humid places. You can often find white mold in crawlspaces in your home. The main reason for this is that crawlspaces are the most likely to have moisture.
Poor ventilation, leaky pipes, broken downspouts and gutters, and cracks in the foundation can all contribute to moisture in crawlspaces which then leads to white mold. It’s important to note that you should never use your crawlspace for storage purposes. This is because organic materials (like cardboard boxes) are a food source for white molds. So if you have white mold in your crawlspace, the first step is to remove any organic materials that may be present.
Carpet
Wet carpets are a breeding ground for mold and bacteria, and can be very difficult to dry, especially if you had a large leak or flood. Mold growth on carpet is fairly easy to recognize, as it will give off a strong musty smell and cause allergic reactions.
It is important to clean and dry wet carpets promptly in order to avoid mold spreading to the subfloor. If this happens, you will likely have to remove and replace your entire flooring system. Carpeting your home below ground level or in rooms that are prone to spills, high humidity, and flooding should be avoided.

Wood
Wood is a natural material that has many benefits. It is strong and durable, making it an ideal choice for flooring, furniture, and other household items. However, wood is also susceptible to damage from mold.
If your home has experienced a recent moisture intrusion, such as a leaky roof or burst pipe, then your hardwood floors, furniture, cupboards and the wood structural components of your home are at risk for white mold growth. The most common sign of white mold on wood is discoloration in the form of white spots or blotches.
Is white mold worse than black mold?
While both types of mold can be unsightly and cause health problems, black is generally more dangerous. This is because black mold produces toxins known as mycotoxins and tends to release spores into the air, which can be inhaled and cause respiratory problems. In some cases, black mold exposure has been linked to memory loss, fatigue, and even depression. For these reasons, it’s always best to call in a professional if you suspect that you have a black mold problem.
White mold, on the other hand, is not as dangerous but can still cause health problems if left untreated. White mold can cause allergies or respiratory issues if inhaled. White mold can also be unsightly, so it’s important to take steps to prevent it from spreading. If you do find white mold in your home, there are a number of DIY methods that you can use to get rid of it.
What tests are used to identify white mold?
Most mold is unmistakable, but sometimes small or largely hidden growths just make a surface look dirty. A quick test for mold can be done when you dip a swab in diluted bleach (1 part bleach, 16 parts water) and dab it on the wall. If the spot quickly lightens (or keeps coming back after cleaning), assume it’s mold.
Second, you can buy a DIY mold test kit online.
And for the most complete testing, professional mold remediation companies have high-powered detection equipment and comprehensive investigation methods, and are able to root out mold, as well as any related moisture issues.
Is white mold dangerous?
All mold is dangerous. While most mold is more of a nuisance than a danger, white mold can pose a serious health hazard.
However, people can react to white mold in different ways. Some may become very ill after exposure, while others may not even experience any symptoms.
For those who are affected, white mold spores can cause many health problems, such as respiratory infections, dizziness, allergic reactions, headaches, and eye and skin irritations.

Can white mold make you sick?
Symptoms of white mold exposure include allergies, eye irritation, skin irritation, headaches, respiratory infections, nausea, and dizziness. What makes white mold dangerous is prolonged exposure which can lead to more severe problems, such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, and memory loss.
What happens if you breathe white mold?
Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, a runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis). Allergic reactions to white mold are common. They can be immediate or delayed. Mold spores can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold.

What kills white mold?
If you have discovered mold in your home, it is important to take quick action to remediate the problem. Otherwise, the mold will continue to spread and can cause serious health problems for you and your family. The first step is to identify the source of the moisture that is causing the mold growth.
Once the moisture problem has been fixed, you can begin working on mold removal. There are a number of easy DIY methods you can use to get rid of white mold.
- Bleach is an effective way to kill white mold, and a mixture of 1 tablespoon of bleach to 2 cups of water will do the job. Then use a sponge to wipe the affected area until it is spotless.
- Duct tape is also an effective method for removing white mold. Simply cover the affected area with duct tape and wait one or two days before peeling it off.
- For a stronger solution, mix 6 oz household bleach with 6 cups of water and apply it to the affected area with a spray bottle.
Whatever method you choose to remove mold, always take care to protect yourself by wearing rubber gloves and following the instructions on your cleaning products.
If the mold problem is small and confined to one area, you may be able to clean it up yourself using one of these DIY methods. However, if the mold has spread throughout your home or if it is located in difficult-to-reach areas, it is best to hire a professional mold remediation contractor. The contractor will have the experience and expertise to find mold in spots that aren’t visible to the eye, such as in between walls, then safely and effectively remove the mold from your home. In addition, the contractor will be able to identify and fix the moisture problem(s) and pinpoint areas that are vulnerable to future mold growth.

How can I prevent white mold?
Here are a few simple steps you can take to prevent white mold from taking over your home.
- Keep humidity levels down. In areas that are prone to excess moisture, make sure you ventilate. When using the kitchen, bathroom or basement, turn on the vent fans.
- Fix all sources of leaks.
- Keep air vents free of debris.
- Remove organic material that could be feeding white mold growth from attics and crawlspaces.
- Periodically clean out faucets or drains.
- Install vents in crawl spaces and basements to fix poor ventilation.
- Ultraviolet Lights. Ultraviolet light can be used to deal with particularly bad mold problems. Homes in high-humidity areas can especially benefit from them.
- Vacuum with a HEPA Filter. HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters help to eliminate mold spore concentrations in carpets and on the floor.
- Schedule HVAC maintenance twice a year to prevent mold and mildew from developing.
- Schedule plumbing maintenance once a year to detect plumbing and moisture problems early.
- Buy a moisture detector.

Summary
White mold is common in many homes. The mold may appear white, gray, green, black, or other tints.
While white mold does not pose as many health risks as black mold, some people may experience symptoms, some serious.
While mold needs moisture and a food source to grow. Taking steps to reduce the moisture level in your home as well as removing such things as stacks of wood, cardboard boxes or clothes from basements or attics will go a long way to reduce the chance of white mold.