Your sleeping environment truly determines what kind of rest you get. The mattress, sheets, temperature, lighting and sound are all parts of the environment that stand out, but what about the air quality? That can be a part of the environment that almost seems invisible but can have enormous effects on our health. One of the aspects of air quality that can truly affect us is the presence of mold. The unfortunate part about mold is you don't see it until you do. But by then, it could have already caused many problems. Continue reading to find out more about mold in the bedroom and what you can do. 

What is mold? 

Molds are naturally growing fungi found indoors and outdoors. There are thousands of mold strains that all require moisture for proper growth. Mold spreads to new environments by releasing microscopic spores that travel through the air. Trace amounts of mold are always circulating in the air and environment, but the spores grow when they end up somewhere that has proper moisture levels. 

Mold is most common in places with water, like kitchens and bathrooms, so it can be surprising that mold can also be found in the bedroom. If you are getting the recommended number of hours of sleep, anywhere from 7-9, then that puts you at high risk for prolonged mold exposure. 

Mold and Your Health 

Mold releases many substances that can cause an allergic reaction, irritation and toxic effects when touched or inhaled. Most strains of mold are harmless, but there are more than 100 different kinds of indoor molds that can be harmful. Fortunately, there are only a few of these strains that are usually found in homes. 

Some of these health effects vary, but can include: 

• skin redness or rash 
• itchy, red eyes 
• sneezing
• nasal congestion 
• chronic cough 
• blurred vision 

There are more severe symptoms that may also occur from mold exposure, including fever, shortness of breath and lung infection, especially those with underlying health issues like an autoimmune or chronic lung destruction. Children exposed to mold in the first year of life may have increased risk of developing asthma. 

Mold and sleep 

In addition to the health problems that mold can cause, household molds were correlated with increased sleep problems, including insomnia, snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness. One study of 5000 adults found that people who reported mold odors at home also reported higher rates of sleep disturbances.

Indoor molds are also known to cause allergic rhinitis. Emerging research shows the potential for allergic rhinitis to cause a host of sleep problems, some overlapping with the issues caused by mold, including insomnia, restless sleep, obstructive sleep apnea and snoring. 

The moldy bedroom 

Though your room may be clean, there are many factors that can create the perfect breeding ground for mold in your bedroom. It is capable of growing on a variety of materials, but especially likes cardboard, paper, wood products, and ceiling tiles. Mold can also grow inside other surfaces around your bedroom, including the wallpaper and insulation. 

Sources of Water, Humidity and Condensation 

Molds need sufficient moisture to grow and spread. The bedroom can have hidden sources of moisture from leaky roofs, windows, pipes and areas of flooding. They are all associated with mold growth. Mold can also form if someone spills water and it isn't properly cleaned up and dried in 2 days. 

However, sources of water can be much more subtle than those above. If your room is very humid, this can also be a great source of moisture for mold growth. This can happen from poor ventilation and around places with minimal air movements, like closets or behind large furniture. 

Signs of moldy bedroom 

If you're inspecting your bedroom for mold, it's important to know that mold can grow some time before it becomes visible. When you're looking around your bedroom, keep an eye out for these signs of mold growth: 

• A humid or damp closet 
• Condensation on the window
• cracking paint, a dark area on the wall, or other signs of water damage 
• An unusual, musty odor 

Mold can also develop in places where moisture is regular, or condensation is frequent. Black spots may become visible in corners of your bedroom or behind furniture that is kept up against the wall. 

Sometimes, mold may be concealed under wallpaper, paneling, carpet and behind walls. If you think there is mold growing, then it's important to reach out to a professional to have it checked out. 

Controlling mold in the bedroom 

Keeping mold spores out of your house completely is near impossible. Microscopic spores, ones so small they are invisible to the human eye, can enter the home through anything that has access to the outdoors. Therefore, the best way to prevent mold is to make sure that the bedroom is not moist, and does not support its growth. 

Preventing mold 

If you want to prevent mold, then you have to maintain a low-humidity environment and increase ventilation. Also, if there is any water in the bedroom from a spill, leak, anything, then it's important to address it very quickly. 

Some ways to control the humidity in your home are to keep humidity between 30-50%, ensure proper ventilation and airflow, quickly treat any structural water leaks, move furniture away from the wall, do not leave stacks of clothing, bedding, or other items cluttered for too long, and huse a dehumidifier or AC if your bedroom is prone to moisture. 

Removing mold 

If you do find mold, cleaning it thoroughly is key. Consider the following guidelines for good cleaning: 

• Nonporous materials and hard surfaces can be cleaned with standard chemical products, soap and water, or a bleach solution 
• Wear gloves, goggles and a respirator
• Porous materials and mold should be discarded
• Remove and replace moldy insulation, ceiling tiles and drywall 
• Mold growth over 10 square feet may require professional attention

Getting rid of anything that can disrupt your sleep is imperative to making sure you get the best quality. If you have ensured your room is good to go from mold, but are still experiencing some disruptions, then please click the orange button below to speak with a sleep professional at our facilities to determine whether or not your sleep problems are related to a more serious issue. 

Source: 

https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-studies/at-home-sleep-study