Mold Season + Exterior Surfaces


Most think of mold inside the home as a big problem — and it is. But what about that mold that grows on the outside of your home, such as on vinyl siding and other surfaces? While not as much of a health concern, it’s still a nuisance that must be handled.


Mold typically does not grow on clean, dry surfaces. And most materials, such as the plastic construction materials used on homes, is not a food source for mold. So why does it grow? Because of the dirt, soil, grime, and other organic matter that builds up on surfaces. While your vinyl siding may be vertical, it still gets dirty, and mold will grab onto that and grow like wildfire. And when there are trees and vegetation around your home, they release particles that attach to exterior surfaces and that just makes the problem worse.


The solution? Cleaning. Keeping surfaces clean, physically removing both molds and their food sources, is the best way to keep your home looking good.


While the solution seems simple, unless you have a ranch-style home, reaching all those high surfaces is not easy. You will need ladders, extension poles, and plenty of safety gear. If you have all that, and are ready to get to work, here are a few tips.


Get a good scrub brush, something you can put on a pole, and something that will scrub the surface but not scratch it. Softer nylon bristles are great. Have plenty of garden hose available, with a concentrated spray nozzle. A large bucket, a pump-up sprayer, or a sprayer assembly that you can put liquid cleaning products in, one that automatically dilutes and applies the cleaner to your home. You need all this before you get to work.


Purchase a quality exterior cleaning solution specifically for siding and removing mold. While you can create your own solution with a variety of household products (bleach, vinegar, detergent) what you find at the store is not expensive.


Then get to work. Hopefully on a nice, sunny day. Apply your product with the hose attachment or your pump-up sprayer, allow to dwell for a few minutes. The bleach component in your solution will take time to work.
Scrub the surface and spray it all off. Let it dry and inspect, repeating as necessary. Take your time, section off areas, and you will see fantastic results.


But what about mold inside your home? That’s a different problem altogether. When you see mold inside, contact your favorite disaster restoration company. After all, it pays to call a pro!

Fighting Fur


If you have pets, especially cats or dogs, pet hair is a very common and frustrating issue that keeps piling up. Pun intended. It builds up fast on all surfaces, especially fabrics such as furniture and clothing. It sticks to you better than glue and follows you into your car, to work, and everywhere you go.


It’s one of the parts of life we put up with because we love our pets. But there are a few things you can do to limit the amount of hair your pet sheds, and what you can do to clean it up better. Of course, the season impacts how much hair your pets shed, such as the typical spring and fall shedding seasons.


Nutrition first


The first, most impactful tip is to make sure you are feeding your furry friends is good food. Just like people need a solid nutritious diet, so do your pets. Your vet will have plenty to say on this, such as food products that are high in vitamins, minerals, and the proper amount of protein. You can also do some research online and find quality pet food that has supporting reviews. Better diet = less shedding = happier you.


Brushing and grooming


This is a no-brainer, right? The more you brush and groom your pet, the more hair you remove and put in the trash can and the less that ends up on flooring, clothing, furniture, and other surfaces. But besides being good for removing hair, it helps their skin and circulation. Purchase a quality brush designed for quality grooming — and hair collecting as well.


Cleaning up


The most important part of cleaning pet hair from a home is to do it regularly. Have a schedule. Frequent vacuuming of all surfaces, including furniture, will help keep the hair from building up to massive proportions. A quality vacuum with a beater bar is best, and a hand-held version with a beater bar will help with furniture and stairs. Lint rollers, special hair removing brushes, and other tools may help, but nothing beats a good, regular vacuuming of your home. For quick work in a pinch, using a wet rubber glove to wipe surfaces and grab hair works great. Some even use tape, such as the life-saving duct tape version, to remove hair from surfaces that just don’t want to give up their grip.


Of course, the absolute best way to keep your home really clean is to use a professional cleaning service. After all, it pays to call a pro!