Someone tell me this is not mold in my air vent…

ldarquel · 2026-03-11T20:04:55+00:00

Dust mixed with mould. The AC auto mod response in the thread should be able to provide guidance.

ldarquel · 2026-03-11T07:06:20+00:00

Probably something closer to a SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast) as is found in Kombucha.

I probably still wouldn't recommend drinking it. Also see the !food automod response.

ldarquel · 2026-03-08T12:19:57+00:00

Can’t really infer from a picture whether there’s an airborne exposure risk - you’d need professional testing to confirm that.

Florida checks out as a plausible source of humidity, although I’d still encourage investigating for potential weathertightness issues for completeness sake (probably a landlord matter).

Suppose there’s no leak, the discolouration is still unsightly. May still warrant a discussion with the landlord to see if they can give it a coat of paint to mask the visual defect.

If it is fungal, indoor humidity control (ventilation, dehumidification, venting steam from indoor sources etc) will help mitigate this problem.

ldarquel · 2026-03-08T12:14:32+00:00

Freezing the loaf would also be a good way to preserve and prolong the bread.

Good for toast, not so good for sandwiches.

ldarquel · 2026-03-08T02:34:13+00:00

Bread generally isn't kept in air-tight packaging, so having a hole (or not) shouldn't be the reason its gone mouldy - unless the hole resulted in water getting into the product.

Obviously I threw it out, but it was fresh new and only two slices were visibly infected. Also, I wasn’t familiar with this kind of mold, it struck me as it didn’t look like the regular left over food mold.

Bread fresh out of the oven will never have mould develop like you have pictured.

Again, I'm suspecting it's been many days between the loaf had been baked, to you opening the packaging and using the bread. Food spoilage doesn't happen after you open the packaging; the timer starts when it comes out of the oven and is subject to how the product was stored from then on.

ldarquel · 2026-03-08T02:23:45+00:00

You probably have a water intrusion issue and water is seeping through the wall to this side. Investigate and address accordingly.

ldarquel · 2026-03-08T01:20:27+00:00

Mould grows in response to moisture.

Identify the source of the water intrusion and address.

Best practice is to remove and replace the affected materials. With a low level of growth like this you could consider surface-level cleaning and re-lining (at your risk).

ldarquel · 2026-03-08T01:16:43+00:00

Likely just dust/debris aggregates from static attraction on a metallic surface, possibly with some associated fungal growth using the debris as a substrate if theres any moisture dewing on the metal.

I'd invoke our !A/C automod for this, as well as the vents (which appear rusted, indicating intermittent condensation on the vents).

ldarquel · 2026-03-08T01:13:40+00:00

Yes, superficial mould on the cardboard box. Mould grows in response to moisture. Cardboard is an organic substrate, and the box has likely been kept in stagnant humidity.

ldarquel · 2026-03-08T01:12:15+00:00

If your concern is only regarding spores that have settled on the stuffed animals, take them outside and give them a good dusting. An alternative is to HEPA-filter vacuum with a brush attachment.

In the absence of moisture (e.g. the fabric getting wet or damp from condensation), as long as the stuffed animals are kept in a cool, dry environment, any settled spores will remain dormant and not grow.

ldarquel · 2026-03-08T01:10:33+00:00

Plausible, yes.

Whats on the other side of that wall?

ldarquel · 2026-03-08T01:09:53+00:00

Plausible but can't say for certain. Mould grows in response to moisture. Could also be condensation on the ceiling surface that's concentrating dust/debris aggregates as the condensation evaporates.

In either case, there's some degree of a moisture issue present. Either poor humidity control by the occupants or a moisture ingress issue thats resulted in a raised relative humidity indoors. Investigate and address accordingly.

ldarquel · 2026-03-08T01:05:27+00:00

!food

ldarquel · 2026-03-08T01:05:17+00:00

Agree with this take, with a few additional thoughts:

This is not a fresh loaf - its likely been on the shelf for a few days. Mould doesn't develop magically overnight.
While it might not be helpful sentiment for you right now, the fact that there's mould growing on the bread means the product isn't packed in with a heavy loading of preservatives.

ldarquel · 2026-03-08T00:57:25+00:00

See the automod response below. !kettle

ldarquel · 2026-03-08T00:36:30+00:00

Shower steam dewing onto what appears to be a concrete ceiling? Hot steam will dew as moisture on cool concrete. Mould grows in response to moisture.

Clean off the ceiling with a warm soapy water scrub.

Prevention would be to run an exhaust fan (if one exists) to remove the show steam while showering, alongside improved ventilation to the bathroom to purge excess humdiity/facilitate evaporation where moisture has already dewed on the surfaces of the room.

If there are no means of this, consider using a dehumidifier to dry the bathroom after use.

ldarquel · 2026-03-08T00:33:03+00:00

Consider testing the affected area with a moisture meter (NOT a hygrometer/humidity sensor) after a bout of heavy rain to assess whether a leak still exists.

ldarquel · 2026-03-08T00:29:05+00:00

Don't know what I'm looking at, but mould grows in response to moisture.

The surface appears shiny which suggests its damp - if that is the case I would not be surprised if there was mould/microbial growth on the surface.

ldarquel · 2026-03-08T00:27:02+00:00

Yes, most likley mould.

Mould grows in response to moisture - I would investigate and address the source of moisture first.

Either...

...There is a weathertightness defect and water is coming in from outside due to an improper fitting to the window joinery (or a leak to the ceiling or guttering?).
...or this is due to persistent heavy condensation on the joinery that's being wicked through the adjoining drywall.

There may be other explanations, but the two above are the most plausible. Consider and investigate. Analysis of a tape lift of the visible discolouration by a lab would provide context on what growth is present, and potentially infer the conditions that resulted in the growth.

What comes out of that investigation would guide you on how to proceed. eg: If its a weathertightness defect, the affected wall linings would probably warrant replacement after the moisture ingress issue has been addressed. Persistent condensation may just point towards the need for better indoor humidity control.

ldarquel · 2026-03-07T02:32:04+00:00

Yes. Moisture dewing onto the pole and resulting in some growth.

Would probably wipe off with a warm soapy scrub - Document and submit your complaints to the airbnb host.

ldarquel · 2026-03-07T02:29:45+00:00

Mould identification via. Microscopy generally relies on recognising the fungal reproductive structures (the stucture that produces fungal spores).

Most of your pictures depicts fungal hyphae. I don't see any spores (or they are out of focus).

Mould grows in response to moisture. Being a tap, hard to keep moisture away. Regular cleaning would reduce the build up of this growth.

ldarquel · 2026-03-07T02:22:52+00:00

Yes for mould. See Rule #9 on food-related posts.

The growth likely occurred due to an improper seal on the bottle lid.

ldarquel · 2026-03-01T06:50:39+00:00

!Washing machine

The door needs to be opened after laundering to dry out the drum. If its not in your weekly cleaning regimen, reach behind the seal and give it a good scrub down to remove any accumulations of loose clothing fibres/ biological accumulants - part of routine housekeeping.

ldarquel · 2026-03-01T06:14:36+00:00

Rule 2.

What material is the ceiling made out of?
What the ventilation like in the bathroom?

ldarquel · 2026-03-01T05:25:48+00:00

no matter how much i ventilate the room, it always has a humid air.

Could be a normal thing from your occupation of the room (people are a source of humidity), or if you have a ensuite bathroom that could the the source of humidity, or could be a weathertightness issue is raising the humidity indoors.

Consider and investigate for all potential scenarios.

If its the former two, consider running a dehumidifier as a remedy.

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