Mold and Mildew in Campus Residences

I found something suspicious growing in my room or saw it in a common area! What do I do?

First, don’t panic, it can happen anywhere water or condensation collects. Mold spores can travel inside with us on our clothing or shoes, or even enter a space through open windows. When those spores connect with persistent moisture–instant mold habitat. It can show up as pink, white-gray or black spots and as patches on surfaces, particularly in bathrooms and kitchens. Mold and mildew are prevented through moisture control, air circulation, and good housekeeping.

Finding mold can be scary at first, and while people with allergies can be very sensitive to it, for most of us it’s just an unpleasant, and normal adulting problem to solve.

If you suspect mold or mildew, investigate first

1. Look for the main culprit: water. Can you find a leak behind a toilet or under a sink? Is any carpeting wet, or do you see moisture collecting in a windowsill, on the walls, from a vent, or from the ceiling?

   Action: submit a Facility Services work order right away with the details so they can correct the problem.

2. Check the air flow in the space. Make sure any vents in the ceilings, wall, or floor don’t have furniture,  posters, or other wall coverings in front of them. You may have vents blowing air into the room and vents with no noticeable air flow that are allowing for air exchange.

   Action: remove obstructions and de-clutter as needed to improve the circulation of air in the space. Consider a small fan to improve air movement around the room. If an exhaust fan in a bathroom or shower space isn’t working, submit a Facility Services work order.

Honestly assess the cleanliness of the area. Have standing water, wet fabric or damp paper products been left on the surface or leaning against a wall? Did food or drink get spilled or left out where it could rot?

Action: Pick up and remove any wet or smelly items, and clean the area thoroughly with hot, soapy water or a cleaner with bleach in it. If a wash cloth or towel smells funky, run it through the washing machine before you use it again. Once clean, keep to a regular cleaning schedule to prevent new growth.

Good housekeeping checklist

• Keep up with cleaning your space - vacuum or sweep floors, wipe down surfaces, clean up spills quickly, clean out your mini fridge, and take your trash out regularly. 
• Clean private bathrooms (Russell hall, 10th Avenue apartments, Wilch apartments, etc.) by wiping down all surfaces with a bathroom cleaner designed to kill mold and mildew and remove soap scum on a regular schedule following the directions for the cleaning product. After showering, keep the bathroom door open and let the exhaust fan run for an extra ten minutes to remove moisture from the air.
• Wash your personal towels and bathmats on a regular schedule.
• Don’t leave wet towels, clothing, or shoes lying around, hang them up to dry or pop them in a residence hall dryer.
• If the air conditioning is running, do not open windows or doors. If the air conditioning is malfunctioning, submit a Facility Services work order. 

You’ve done all the things, but you still see mold or mildew?

So you’ve tried your best to make sure there’s no housekeeping issue, and the air circulation in your space seems good, but you’re still seeing something that looks off? Then it’s time to get Facility Services involved to see what might be going on.

Submit a Facility Services work order so that they can investigate further to search for the source of the issue. If they are able to find an excessive moisture related cause, they will create a mitigation plan, complete the necessary repairs (you might need to move out of the space temporarily for them to do this), and re-test the air quality in preparation for you to move back in.