As the holidays approach, many of us are excited to bring home a Christmas tree—ourselves included!
But while we deck the halls, let’s be mildly mindful of mold growth, particularly if we’re planning for a live tree.
At Mold Solutions, we want to ensure your home stays a healthy space during the festivities, and mold can cause all sorts of health and allergy-like problems that you can usually prevent with a couple of quick tips.
Here’s what you need to know about mold concerns related to Christmas trees and how to prevent them.
Live Trees Are Beautiful, But A Potential Breeding Ground
Live Christmas trees introduce added moisture into your home, which, if not managed, can create an environment conducive to mold growth.
Live trees need regular watering to stay fresh, and that moisture can (does) elevate humidity levels in your home, especially in enclosed spaces, creating a potential breeding ground for mold.
Freshly cut trees can also harbor mold spores from the outdoors. Big concern? Not really, but one to be aware of, and we’ve written this not to dampen your holidays, but to give you the solutions should you come looking for them in need.
If you reused fabric or porous ornaments and garlands, they may have absorbed moisture while in storage, and that can lead to mold growth.
Best Practices for Preventing Mold
To keep your holiday celebrations joyful and mold-free, consider these preventive measures:
- Consider Artificial Trees: If you’re particularly concerned about mold and humidity, opting for an artificial tree can be a great solution. They don’t require water, eliminating the risk of increased humidity and mold growth altogether.
- Choose a Healthy Live Tree: If you prefer a live tree, choose one that looks fresh and healthy, and do your best to dry off obvious water before bringing it home—a little water is okay, but if the tree is “raining,” you want that water outside of your house, not inside your floor boards or carpet.
- Monitor Watering: Our live trees need water to stay perky, but water cautiously: That means avoid spills, and pour water directly into the pot meant for it. “Spritzing” your tree or watering its leaves will increase airborne moisture and likely wet the fabric you have around the base of your tree, both of which we want to avoid.
- Control Humidity Levels: Use a dehumidifier—or run the ceiling fan–in the room where your tree is, to help keep indoor humidity levels between 30-50%. This helps prevent mold growth in both the tree and the room it’s in.
- Limit Heat Exposure: Keep your tree away from heat sources like radiators or fireplaces, as high temperatures can dry out the tree and lead to moisture release that increases humidity.
- Inspect and Clean Decorations: Before decorating, check your ornaments and garlands for any signs of mold or dampness. Clean fabric decorations thoroughly, and consider using non-porous materials that are less likely to harbor mold.
- When the Season is Over…: After the holidays, get rid of your tree before it goes bad. A quick vacuum and wipe down are all you’ll need, but if a good amount of water spilled around your tree during the month, it may have reached below floor boards where it can cause hidden mold growth.
- Air Purifier, Anyone?: Consider using air purifiers with HEPA filters to help capture mold spores and improve overall air quality during the holiday season.
By taking these proactive steps, you can enjoy a festive and healthy holiday season without the worry of mold growth.
At Mold Solutions, we’re committed to helping you create a safe and comfortable environment for your family.
If you have any concerns about mold or need assistance with mold remediation, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Wishing you a joyful and mold-free holiday season!
