Mold is one of the ugliest, unhealthiest and most damaging things in the world to many. This is particularly true when it begins to grow inside your home, causing health problems for you and your family members as well as damage to some of your most precious household items. If you fail to store or display works of art, antiques, photographs and even family heirlooms properly, you may be unintentionally inviting the growth and subsequent damage of mold. Read on to find out where you should not place any important personal belongings that have a sentimental or monetary value.

Areas Where You Must Avoid Displaying Your Items

The best way for you to ultimately prevent mold growth on and damage to some of your most precious and valuable items, whether they be heirlooms, pieces of artwork or something else entirely, is to avoid storing them in areas that are more susceptible to the environments that encourage the growth of mold. Here are the areas in your home you must avoid and why they need to be avoided:

• Bathroom – Because of hot baths and showers, there is a lot of water, moisture and humidity in the bathroom. All of these combined create the perfect environment for mold to begin growing. You can help combat this environment by ensuring your exhaust fan is turned on to help extract the heat and moisture from the space.
• Laundry Room – The washer and dryer in the laundry room will also create the ideal environment for mold, which can lead to excessive damage to your personal valuables. Specifically, fine metals can easily be tarnished and paper can be warped.
• Kitchen – While the kitchen may seem like a good place to display some beautiful artwork, the truth of the matter is that the food particles, moisture, oil and heat that are present in the area can significantly take years off of the life of your items.
• Windowsills – Photographs, knick-knacks and books are often placed in the windowsills of homes, but this is a bad idea. Your windows reflect the weather as it is seen outside. This is particularly if not sealed properly, which can lead to water damage, humid conditions and the growth of mold.
• Closets – Because closets are closed off, there is not a large amount of air circulation. Without good air flow, especially when combined with high humidity levels in the home, mold could begin to develop. Therefore, you need to avoid placing books and other valuable items in the closet. Instead, opt for an open shelf or area that gets good air circulation. 

If you notice any mold damage on any of your personal belongings, such as art, photographs and antiques, it is crucial that you consult with a mold specialist immediately. The sooner that you can get in touch with an expert, the better the chances are of successfully restoring your irreplaceable valuables.