At What Humidity Does Mold Grow?

Molds are often capable of developing under very low humidity conditions, this is because mold has the ability to grow in low humidity environments. However, by adding humidity you can make it more likely for mold spores to form on your product and begin growing.

A humidity level of 40% is the best humidity level for mold growth. This level has been tested many times and proved to be the most effective humidity level for growing mold on bread products.

Humidity levels below 30% inhibit mold growth, but at humidity levels above 70%, they begin to perish since their optimal temperature range is between 55°C-80°C (131°F-176°F).

What humidity does mold grow?

To answer this question, firstly, let us discuss the basic features of molds. Molds are filamentous fungi that are heterotrophic, meaning they require organic substrates for nutrition. They have numerous subtypes depending on form and function but are basically composed of hyphae, which are tubular branching filaments.

The humidity level for mold growth depends on what type of molds are present in your product. Generally, humidity levels above 55% begin to support mold growth since this is the optimum temperature for fungal growth. For example, when you keep bread at a humidity level below 25%, it inhibits mold growth.

However, when you bring the humidity level up to 40%, it reduces the time needed for molds to form. You need to know that certain types of molds can survive in extreme conditions like low temperatures, high salinity, and pH levels (acidity).

Can mold grow in 40 humidity?

Molds grow at humidity levels above 40%. However, this might vary depending on the type of molds that are present in your products. If the relative humidity goes beyond 70%, there are chances that your wooden furniture will also experience mold growth.

For that purpose, please install a dehumidifier for mold, and keep it running so that the relative humidity of your house stays in control. You can also clean the house with disinfectant so that the germs and bacteria on the floor, and furniture so the molds don’t start growing.

What humidity level kills mold?

If you are tired of seeing your household items getting covered with molds, it is high time to get a whole-house dehumidifier and get rid of the excessive humidity present in your house.

A dehumidifier is an electronic device that measures and controls room humidity. It works by sucking in air from the area in which it is placed, passing it over a cold evaporator, and releasing the air into the room again. The evaporation of water from this process reduces air humidity.

The best humidity level for killing mold is a humidity level below 40%. A humidity level of 50%-70% will produce molds.

How do you prevent mold in high humidity?

1. Increase Airflow

Build your house in such a way that it allows proper airflow. For example, if you block the vents of your bathrooms and try to fit in every appliance possible in the room, then that’ll lead to humidity, which will eventually cause mold growth.

On the other hand, if you ensure that there’s enough space for air to pass, then the humidity will be distributed well throughout, which means that you won’t have to deal with mold growth anytime soon.

2. Fix plumbing leaks immediately

Leaks in your house’s plumbing system can increase the humidity level. If a pipe is leaking, it’ll eventually cause water damage and mold growth. Mostly, pipes are in the basement or crawl space, which can damage the crawl space immensely. To get rid of this, install a basement dehumidifier, or if you don’t want to, read this guide on how to get rid of humidity without a dehumidifier.

But remember, just installing a dehumidifier in the basement won’t help at all. You need to fix the leaking pipes, call a plumber and ask him to check the connections and seal the joints that are leaking water.

3. Use air conditioners

Air conditioners are a feature-packed home appliance that not only cools the room but also removes humidity which then prevents molds from growing further. The cool air inside the house prevents molds from growing because molds require a warm and damp climate to grow.

If you have a central AC unit in your house, turn it on for just 2-3 hours a day, and you will experience a cool breeze inside your house even when it’s hot and humid outside.

But make sure you don’t leave the doors and windows open because the cool air will vent out, and you simply cannot waste electricity and efforts to cool down the room to fight extra humidity.

But if you are one of those unfortunates whose ac is cooling but not removing humidity, then it’s time to install a dehumidifier because AC alone cannot help remove the moisture, because its sole purpose is to cool the room.

4. Use dehumidifiers at home

Dehumidifiers are an excellent way to control humidity levels in your house, especially if you have moisture problems due to high humidity levels.

They work by sucking in air from the room and releasing it back into the room. They reduce the humidity present in the air, and doing this regularly will prevent moisture and mold buildup inside your house.

Dehumidifiers can be used for many reasons, from drying clothes to ensuring a healthy environment at home. However, when you have a problem with high humidity levels in your house during certain seasons or months of the year, using one is the best way to deal with it.

Remember that humidity levels above 40% are more than enough for mold growth. Thus, you need to monitor your house’s humidity level periodically if you don’t want molds or other moisture problems to build up inside your home.

Does mold go away once moisture is removed?

Lastly, you must be wondering Does mold go away once moisture is removed, so the short answer is, Yes. However, removing mold does not mean it is gone for good. The spores are still very much around, and if the right conditions are present, they will grow back quickly.

However, once removed, you should start working on preventative measures to keep your home safer from future mold infestation problems. We hope this guide was enough for you to understand what humidity does mold grows and how to get rid of molds caused by humidity.