Mold?

threadless

This is a really random question, but one that is really worrying me.  So my in-laws have a messy house.  Messy probably isn't the right word - they are hoarders.  If you have ever watched the show "Hoarders," then that's what they live in.  We haven't been allowed to be over there for YEARS now, but the last time we were, DH washed the outside of their windows as a gift.  On EVERY windowsill (inside) was a lot of black mold.  We know things have only gotten worse since then.

 

So now here is the question - can black mold be transferred by clothes?  We certainly won't allow our baby over there, but if they come over and want to hold her, should that be a concern?  I have tried googling, but most of what I can find is if a baby LIVES in a house with black mold that it is dangerous. 

 

I am past the point of worrying about hurting their feelings - I am just really worried about a tiny, helpless baby staying healthy at this point!  Any thoughts would be GREATLY appreciated!

HugginAngel

If the house is that grimy I'd be very hesitant about what they might be bringing over. Yes, spores can be carried on clothing and on the person as well as anything else that might be lurking in their home, if they have black mold and are hoarders there is a good chance that there are other types of mold or even rodent feces or other types of potentially dangerous things they could be bring with them. That really puts you in a tough spot. My IL's must look like Howie Mandel's house compared to yours. I'm sooooo sorry.

DragonflyBelle

I am no expert, but I believe the problem is when black mold gets wet it puts off spores that you inhale, so I imagine if it's on their clothes, it could be an inhalation issue. I could be very wrong though, so please do tons of research on this. I know you can kill it, but it easily comes back in moist places.

tfarabians

I think your best answer is going to come from a company that specializes in mold clean up.  I would call them and voice your concerns and see what they say.

threadless

Blargh.  This is what I was afraid of.  So would you guys ask them to change or something before coming in?  Or just not hold the baby?  I really don't mind buying extra clothes, but I know it would probably embarass them.  Such a frustrating situation!

wmramsel

tfarabians:

I think your best answer is going to come from a company that specializes in mold clean up.  I would call them and voice your concerns and see what they say.

I'd also talk to a pediatrician before letting them hold LO.   

nate2011

tfarabians:

I think your best answer is going to come from a company that specializes in mold clean up.  I would call them and voice your concerns and see what they say.

 

this!

hjk5000

wmramsel:

tfarabians:

I think your best answer is going to come from a company that specializes in mold clean up.  I would call them and voice your concerns and see what they say.

I'd also talk to a pediatrician before letting them hold LO.   

All of this for sure!

izzourclue

I'd be more worried about them bringing bed bugs, fleas and cockroach eggs to your house than mold spores.  Also, "black mold" is not always the super dangerous kind.  All mold can cause some people problems and make them feel sick, but most mold looks black but there are only a few species that are considered the dangerous black mold that we are all afraid of.  I wouldn't bring LO to their house ever, but have them remove their shoes at the door and wash their hands before handling LO.  Make sure LO's skin is covered with a blanket when they are holding LO and when they leave, change LO's clothes immediately and wash all clothes and blankets they were in contact with in hot water.  Vacuum any furniture they sat on and run a vacuum through your house to pick up any pests they may have brought in with them.

Fact of the matter is, you don't have to be a hoarder for your house to have mold.  All you need is a little moisture in your attic or some water to get behind the tiles in your bathroom.  If these are really dirty people in general, I just would say no visitors at all until the baby is 6-8 weeks old and has had a chance to get a little stronger and build up a little bit of an immune system.  

threadless

Good ideas!  I am going to call a mold specialist to see what they say.  I hadn't gotten around to getting a pedi yet, so maybe this will get me going to ask them as well!  I just wish this wasn't a problem. 

wmramsel

izzourclue:

I'd be more worried about them bringing bed bugs, fleas and cockroach eggs to your house than mold spores.  Also, "black mold" is not always the super dangerous kind.  All mold can cause some people problems and make them feel sick, but most mold looks black but there are only a few species that are considered the dangerous black mold that we are all afraid of.  I wouldn't bring LO to their house ever, but have them remove their shoes at the door and wash their hands before handling LO.  Make sure LO's skin is covered with a blanket when they are holding LO and when they leave, change LO's clothes immediately and wash all clothes and blankets they were in contact with in hot water.  Vacuum any furniture they sat on and run a vacuum through your house to pick up any pests they may have brought in with them.

Fact of the matter is, you don't have to be a hoarder for your house to have mold.  All you need is a little moisture in your attic or some water to get behind the tiles in your bathroom.  If these are really dirty people in general, I just would say no visitors at all until the baby is 6-8 weeks old and has had a chance to get a little stronger and build up a little bit of an immune system.  

This too.  I would be afraid of them bringing in other things associated with that kind of unclean environment- especially sicknesses associated with pests and rodents/rodent droppings.   

larrysdarling

Yes, mold spores can be spread on shoes and clothing.

When they treat rooms with mold, they have to bag everything up in special bags that keep the mold from escaping when they carry the bags out of the house.

 

pixieprincss

Did you read the info from the EPA by any chance? They have lots of great, educational, but not hysterical information. Problematic mold has to do with many factors and their website gives great info. The EPA even has a detailed on-line self-study course that you can take for free if you really want to learn lots.

As you will learn from the EPA docs, while mold indoors should be taken care of, not all mold is hysteria-inducing. Simply seeing mold that is black in color does not mean it is the kind that mold-abatement companies and the media have everyone terrified of.

As a said before, mold indoors is not optimal at all, but the truth is that mold--in general--is a normal part of the world. We encounter it regularly outside. So, mold need not indicate something dire. Everything that I have read indicates that it is longer-term contact that is problematic.

If they bathe regularly and wash their clothes reasonably often, I would not freak about this. How is their health overall? Do they have health problems that seem abnormal? If you are truly concerned about their well-being, talk to your local government about their guidelines. Homes can have their occupancy licenses revoked if the house is genuinely unfit for habitation. Is there anything that the family can do to help them?

threadless

pixieprincss:

 

If they bathe regularly and wash their clothes reasonably often, I would not freak about this. How is their health overall? Do they have health problems that seem abnormal? If you are truly concerned about their well-being, talk to your local government about their guidelines. Homes can have their occupancy licenses revoked if the house is genuinely unfit for habitation. Is there anything that the family can do to help them?

They do bathe and wash their clothes, but they bathe in a mold infested tub and their laundry room has been overflown with sewage at least once without proper clean up.  Health wise, they are aging at unbelievable paces - like everytime I see them they look years older and have gained weight or are more bloated.  We really do believe the home is unfit for humans to live in, but after several "interventions," it's pretty clear nothing is going to change.  It's a really sad illness.

pixieprincss

I am so sorry to hear this. It sounds like a very difficult situation to navigate.