Episode Summary
I’m joined by Michael Rubino, aka The Mold Medic, to discuss how to overcome poor air quality and create a safe home environment. Michael is the leading expert on all aspects of mold, remediation, and air quality. We talk about how to get started if you suspect mold in your home, how to find a great remediator, and Michael’s top product recommendations.
Key Takeaways
Someone who has Hashimoto’s is likely to be a lot more sensitive to mold than someone without it. Michael shares easy visual inspections that you can do around your house and highlights possible places where mold can hide. He lists his go-to sampling strategies, including collecting dust, to test for toxins and abnormalities. He also details what to look for when building a team of experts to help you remediate and remove mold from your home.
Michael Rubino
Michael Rubino has become a renowned leader in the mold and remediation space. President of HomeCleanse, formerly known as All American Restoration, and author of The Mold Medic: An Expert’s Guide on Mold Removal, Michael continues to push the conversation forward for creating better indoor air quality. He is also a council-certified Mold Remediator by IICRC and ACAC and a contributing member, sponsor, and speaker for the Indoor Air Quality Association.
Hidden In Plain Sight: How To Inspect For Mold In Your Home
The air that you breathe is essential for your health and wellbeing, especially if you have an autoimmune condition. One of the first places that Michael checks for mold is in toilet tanks. Other water-based appliances like washing machines, dishwashers, and coffee makers are common breeding grounds for mold. When was the last time that you checked your HVAC system filter? We all love having heating and cooling in our homes, but it’s a major way for mold to spread.
Finding The Right Solution For You
A lot of people turn to bleach when they see mold in their home, but Michael recommends using botanical products and hydrogen peroxide instead. If you want to go deeper, Michael details a couple of different sampling strategies that a good mold inspector would use and explains what to look for in a professional remediator. He talks about the next steps and shares why it’s so important to find a bespoke solution that matches your budget and end goal.
In This Episode
Emily asks Michael, “where should someone start if maybe they’re suspecting water damage and mold is a factor in this bigger picture of having an autoimmune condition?” [ 1:52 ]
Michael shares his recommendations for HVAC air filters. [ 9:58 ]
Michael and Emily discuss cleaning remedies. [ 13:55 ]
Michael breaks down the science behind the dust test. [ 21:43 ]
Emily asks Michael, “How would you find a good remediator? What kind of questions would you ask?” [ 27:37 ]
Emily asks Michael a couple of rapid fire questions, including his top air filter recommendation, how he feels about humidifiers, and if HEPA vacuums are a necessary household item. [ 39:53 ]
Michael shares his final thoughts and message to anyone struggling with mold exposure. [ 47:16 ]
Quotes
Just relying on visuals and smell is not always enough to really determine what’s going on. [ 20:13 ]
There’s nothing that you can just spray and pray. You have to remove the carbon footprint that’s left behind by whatever you’re trying to remove. [33:48]
From a psychological perspective, if you’re going to be wondering every time you cook with that spatula if mold is getting into what you’re cooking, then just throw the spatula away. [38:53]
Be patient. I know it’s hard to do when you’re not feeling well, but when we make quick, rash decisions, we sometimes miscalculate and make mistakes that don’t yield us the results we’re looking for, especially with mold. [47:17]
DISCLAIMER THIS PODCAST/WEBSITE/COACHING SERVICE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. The information, including but not limited to text, graphics, images, and other material contained, are for informational purposes only. NO material on this show/website/coaching practice/or special guests are intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of YOUR physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding medical treatment. Never delay seeking medical advice because of something you read/hear/see on our show/website/or coaching practice.
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Topics Covered:
- What to look for when you’re doing a visual inspection of your home
- The differences between the dust test and ERMI test
- Michael’s perspective on fogging the home after remediation, and what to consider before doing it
- Why Michael highly recommends against using a humidifier that’s built into an HVAC system
- How to collect data so that you can take the right steps forward in your healing journey
Resources Mentioned:
Guest Info:
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