If You Think Mold and Mildew Hibernate During The Winter, Think Again.

Free Tips For Removing Winter Mold & Mildew Stains From the Makers of InstaGone

"The development of mold and mildew stains can actually be intensified during the winter," says InstaGone Consumer Products president Peter Chicarielli. "That's because people tend to lock-down their houses to prevent cold air from coming in and heat from escaping. The reduced circulation of fresh air results in a higher concentration of airborne spores which in turn, can increase the likelihood of mold and mildew stains on ceilings, walls or other surfaces."

Chicarielli adds that in a warm house, mold and mildew will continue to grow in areas such as basements, attics and crawl spaces. "Once the Christmas decorations are put away, emerging mold and mildew growth has a free, undisturbed ride until Memorial Day when the summer gear gets pulled out."

The worst-case scenario is mold that silently grows behind a wall, under flooring or above acoustical ceiling tiles. 'This type of mold growth is usually caused by a leak that wasn't repaired properly, or if it was repaired, the surrounding area wasn't sufficiently dried or treated before covering it with new drywall, tile, etc," explains Chicarielli. "If any part of your house has water damage history, it should be inspected carefully."

Chicarielli has been clipping newspaper articles about families being forced to move from their homes and school closings due to toxic mold. But despite the media hype, he believes most of the mold people encounter is the harmless, gross looking variety. Therefore, he recommends that everyone step back and take a pragmatic, preventive medicine approach. "The jury may be out on what the health effects of certain types of mold are, but the fact is that there is usually a point of origin and mold growth is a fairly slow process." For those concerned about mold and mildew, Chicarielli recommends a simple, four-step plan that should be followed all year long:

1) Inspect