Mold and Mildew FAQs

Molds are organisms that grow naturally outdoors and can also be found indoors.  Mold spores exist everywhere and can be carried inside buildings through simple day-to-day movement on clothes, shoes, etc. or travel through open windows and doors. You can neither prevent mold spores from entering a living space, nor deprive mold of its “food”.  Mold comes in a variety of colors including white or light grey, as sometimes seen on a damp carpet; pink, often found on shower walls and liners not cleaned regularly; and black, as seen around vents or windowsills, because of condensation.

If moisture is present, mold can grow just about anywhere. Air circulation, moisture control, and thorough cleaning are critical to prevent and control mold growth.

Although most people have little to no reaction to household mold, some people with allergies may be more sensitive. It’s important that we work together to prevent the circumstances that allow mold to grow and remove it quickly when it does grow.

Where can mold grow?

If given moisture, mold can grow just about anywhere. It’s most common to see mold on textile surfaces like clothes, bags, or carpets, or on unsealed wood furniture which absorbs moisture. Other common places for mold to grow are bathroom tile and grout, basement walls, areas around windows and sinks.

How can I keep mold and mildew from growing on surfaces in my living area?

Clean the room regularly which includes dusting, vacuuming carpets, and emptying trash. Always hang wet items where they can dry effectively, clean spills thoroughly, and remove open food containers.

Proper air circulation is important to stop the growth of mold and mildew. Open doors when possible. Reduce clutter and keep furniture away from walls and vents. Hang damp towels, bathmats, clothing, or other items immediately and allow items to dry completely to prevent microbial growth and musty odors. Keep in mind that open windows may improve airflow, but also add humidity if humidity levels are high, so it’s important to be thoughtful about when windows are open.

Controlling moisture in the room is also important. Virginia’s humidity, and the age of some of Randolph-Macon’s historic buildings, means our residence halls can be prone to high humidity. A dehumidifier may be a useful addition, though it is critical to clean and maintain the machine.

Inspect trouble spots frequently, especially after rainstorms or periods when the room has been unoccupied and air flow has been constricted..

What should I do if I think I see mold or mildew?

Mold multiplies, and the best way to avoid its growth is to clean it immediately when spotted. Off-the-shelf cleaning products that contain biocide with a 2-10% bleach solution should be sufficient.

RMC’s professional housekeeping teams cleans community bathrooms. Keeping living spaces clean is the responsibility of the residents. If you spot mold or mildew in a bathroom, or in a space where you cannot clean it yourself, please contact RMC Housekeeping by submitting a work order.

What will the College’s residence life/physical plant/housekeeping staff do in response to a complaint about mold or mildew?

The College’s established protocol helps us to determine if there is a mold or mildew problem in a residential space, and address it, if needed. If you as an individual are unable to address the mold or mildew with a regular cleaning, the following steps will be taken when a concern is raised:

  • A member of RMC’s Residential Life, along with a Lead Housekeeper who is specially trained in identification of mold and mildew, will respond and visually inspect the room.
  • If mold or mildew is present, the Lead Housekeeper will clean the affected area by using approved products and vacuum the rug/carpet using a HEPA-filtered vacuum cleaner.
  • If Physical Plant management determines it is required, an inspection by a professional HVAC technician and/or a professional air quality test may be performed to ensure the air is safe. See more detail in the question below.
Should I get a mold/mildew test?

Mold test petri dish kits that can be ordered online are not accepted by professionals like lawyers, doctors, and insurance companies as an indicator of a mold problem because they are designed to support the growth of mold.

Our vendor partner at Vance Environmental Services tells us, “[Online tests] are inaccurate because mold spores are present everywhere and are even carried into residence on clothing, hair, shoes and pets if allowed. It would be very rare not to get mold growth on the petri dish due simply to how well a room is kept.  Therefore, this type of testing could lead to a false impression that a mold problem inside the room really exists.”

As described above, in highly challenging environments, the College periodically brings professionals to campus for air quality testing. Those tests help to more accurately identify the concentration of mold spores and therefore the overall air quality. High counts of dander have been frequently identified in cases where these tests have been used at RMC. No matter the result, these tests more accurately direct a course of action, which typically includes vigorous cleaning, as well as further education for the resident about the cleaning needs of their space.