Indoor mold will eventually destroy any surface it grows on. Once you have mold in your home, it’s hard to get rid of it, but the good news is that preventing mold is much easier. Here are 4 ways to prevent mold from taking hold in your home and destroying your possessions. In this case, an ounce of prevention is worth much more than a pound of cure.

• remove moisture

Mold spores are a part of life, but they become a part of your life when they find moisture inside your home. Decrease humidity in the bathroom by using an outdoor ducted fan. Dry shower walls after showering to remove excess water. Make your basement as dry as possible by sealing the exterior with a waterproofing product. Cook with pot lids and use a ducted kitchen fan to remove moisture. Use air conditioning and a dehumidifier in the summer and heat in the winter to reduce excess moisture in your home.

• Close the food source

Because mold is a tiny plant, it grows by feeding on the smallest particles of dust, dirt, and food crumbs; so it’s important to keep fabrics like upholstery, carpets, and curtains clean, as well as clean and dry clothes and shoes before storing them in closets or drawers. Keeping kitchen counters, stovetops, backsplashes, and floors free of crumbs and oily residue is essential to preventing mold growth.

• keep the air moving

Circulating air is a great way to prevent moisture buildup. Leave cabinet doors and drawers open from time to time to help dry any moisture that has built up. When outdoor relative humidity is lower than indoor, open windows and/or use a fan to draw in dry air and lower indoor humidity levels.

• Eliminate airborne mold spores

Since it’s impossible to prevent mold spores from getting indoors, killing spores while they’re still airborne and before they find water or food is an effective way to prevent mold from growing. A high-efficiency particle arrest air purifier is designed to remove 99,997 out of 10,000 particles, including mold spores. Consistently removing spores greatly reduces the chance of mold making your home its home.

Using these 4 tips will help you protect your home from the destruction caused by indoor mold.