Do cardboard boxes attract mold?

Cardboard is like a “Twinkie” for mold when it becomes wet. Mold loves it. Cardboard is also a great reservoir for dust, which includes mold spores and fragments. So all those mycotoxins and mold spores get trapped inside and on cardboard boxes.

biobalancenow.com - Busting out your holiday decor? Careful, it might make you sick.

What is trending in handmade items?

Handmade items in demand for 2022: Resin and polymer clay jewelry. Personalized jewelry. Embroidery crafts. Face masks and chains. DIY Craft kits...

Last updated Feb 6, 2021

Is bubble wrap a good insulator?

Bubble wraps serve as a good insulator because of its design which has small air pockets. Because the base material for bubble wraps are plastic,...

Last updated Jan 23, 2018

These are the Best Shed Plans!

Comprehensive and Intuitive to follow. Build That Shed!

Learn More »

Promotion

As winter approaches, we asked BioBalance resident expert Jeff Bookout, about what mold issues he sees in the winter.

Getting rid of the thing mold loves: Cardboard.

Right after Thanksgiving I get a lot of phone calls. “Jeff, I’m sick in the house all of a sudden, and I don’t know why.” I’ll ask them “Did you just grab your Christmas decorations?”, and typically the answer is yes. You see, that old nasty cardboard box that’s in your attic or your crawlspace is a place where mold thrives. Cardboard is like a “Twinkie” for mold when it becomes wet. Mold loves it. Cardboard is also a great reservoir for dust, which includes mold spores and fragments. So all those mycotoxins and mold spores get trapped inside and on cardboard boxes. We put up our decorations in cardboard boxes, store them in attics or similar locations, and don’t think about them for a year. We drag all that stuff out and dig through it, then all of a sudden someone’s sick. Storing those items in sealed plastic bags or containers will help that dramatically. You’ll notice home improvement stores will have rows of those plastic storage containers after the holiday season. And that’s exactly why they have them. So people will start packing their stuff in containers like that.

Get rid of the cardboard, without making it worse

Q: Would you recommend them taking that stuff outside and then putting the decorations in plastic tubs now?

Actually, anytime I go to move things, either I’m taking decorations out of the box, or moving the box, I’m getting potentially exposed to mold. If I take it outside from inside, I’m actually exposing my house to mold. So I would recommend a procedure that would give you the best chance of not exposing yourself or your house. First, get a P100 rated mask. This is greater protection than the N95 mask we have all heard of. The P100 mask will filter out 100% of the very small mold spores that are less than 10 microns in size. Next, get some thick contractor trash bags at the hardware store, mask up, and put those over the cardboard boxes. Then, take them outside of the house and then in the fresh air put the decorations into plastic containers, and dispose of the cardboard boxes in the contractor trash bags. It’s a bit of work but it is the safest way. Finally, give your decorations a treatment with HavenMist by lightly misting and then wiping them down. Be careful with anything that could potentially be damaged by the watery mist. HavenMist will control any mold or mycotoxins you may have missed on your decor.

Well, we definitely learned something today. Thanks Jeff.

Save 10% off HavenMist and HavenMister

Use Code “FALLMIST20” at checkout.

Expires 11/30/2020.

Where should I put a shed in my garden?

Sheds that are going to be frequently used will be best placed near to the home, whereas if you are going to be storing heavy duty items such as a...

Last updated Aug 8, 2021

Which is stronger birch or oak plywood?

The hardness of a species of wood is measured with the Janka hardness test which determines the amount of force required to embed a small steel...

Last updated Jul 4, 2018

Promotion

How do I stop my shed from freezing?

Add a Small Heater If you use your shed as a workshop, be sure to buy a small heater to keep you warm. Oil-free radiators are safest and will remove the potential for oil leaks. Having a small radiator in your shed can also help to tackle the issue of condensation.

achem.co.uk - Ensuring Your Shed Is Protected In Winter | A-Chem

3. Apply a Wood Treatment

Applying a wood treatment will protect your shed from a variety of issues. Our water-based Timbashield Preservative offers excellent protection against wood destroying fungi, blue stain and wood boring insects. It acts as a primer, and requires 2-3 coats using a synthetic paint brush which is designed for water-borne products. The preservative will dry in around 12 hours (at around 20 degrees celsius) but may take longer in colder conditions. Once you have applied the preservative, you can add an extra layer of protection with our Timbashield Solvent Based Protection. This wood treatment is made from a blend of oils and waxes, perfect for repelling water and preventing it from getting through the wood. Head to the A-Chem shop to buy yours. You can buy this in clear, as well as various other colours to suit your needs. The treatment is a stain, rather than a paint, so it will absorb into the wood for a natural look. You can use our handy Timbashield calculator, to figure out how many litres you will need.