Mold and mildew can be a nightmare for a homeowner. They thrive in warm, dark, damp environments. And since they tend to grow where they can't be seen, by the time they are visible you're often looking at significant damage and repairs that are needed. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to prevent mold and mildew growth in your home.

Clean Regularly

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, they say. Cleaning your home regularly can do a lot to help prevent mold and mildew from taking hold. Pay special attention to areas that tend to be damp, such as bathrooms and under sinks. If you already have mold and need to kill it, you'll be in for some heavy duty cleaning. You'll want to make sure you use the right products. Bleach cleaners can be effective. If you have small children though, bleach might not be a great option. There are natural ways to kill mold that can be a little more tot-friendly.

Replace Your Flooring

Some floors are better at repelling water than others. Laminate flooring keeps moisture away so that mold is less likely to grow. Sheet laminate is best for this, since it doesn't have seams that can allow water to sink into your floor and get trapped. Carpet and wood, on the other hand, tend to absorb and retain water. This is why they should never be put in bathrooms. If you have old flooring, or flooring that retains water in your house, you might want to consider replacing it. If you end up with a mold or mildew growth, you'll have to replace it anyway, plus go through the trouble of exterminating it. Far better to just replace the floor to begin with.

Minimize Humidity

As previously stated, mold and mildew like humid conditions. Think about the places that tend to become humid in your house. Your bathroom is a major culprit. Just think of how steamy everything gets when you take a hot shower. All that moisture blankets your walls, floors, and furnishings, making them more susceptible to mold and mildew. To prevent this, be sure to dry out the bathroom as soon as you can. Run a fan as you shower, and don't dawdle in making yourself decent enough for the door to be open. For that matter, run fans when you're cooking as well if you're generating a lot of steam. And try to avoid air drying your laundry in the house. All that water in the clothes has to go somewhere.

Dealing with mold and mildew can be a huge headache. Sometimes literally. Minimize the humidity in your home, pay attention to your flooring, and clean regularly. You'll be much less likely to have to deal with the repairs and cleaning later.

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