It might seem like a good idea to dry out a moldy area quickly with a fan—but doing so can actually make things worse. When mold is present, moving air = moving spores.

Why This Matters

Fans, HVAC vents, and even ceiling fans can disperse mold spores throughout the home. This turns a localized issue into a whole-house contamination problem. Once airborne, mold spores can settle in other rooms, inside air ducts, or on furniture and personal belongings—spreading exposure and making cleanup much more difficult.

For sensitive individuals, this added spore load in the air can worsen symptoms like:

• Shortness of breath

• Coughing or wheezing

• Sinus congestion or chronic fatigue

• Skin irritation or neurological symptoms

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Don’t use box fans or space heaters to try to “dry out” a moldy room.

• Avoid running ceiling fans or exhaust fans in contaminated areas.

• Turn off HVAC systems or ducted air systems that could pull mold spores into the return air and circulate them throughout the home.

What To Do Instead

• Seal off the affected area if possible. Keep doors closed and avoid activity that stirs up air.

• Use high-efficiency filtration (like a Corsi-Rosenthal Box) placed just outside the contaminated area to reduce the spread of airborne spores.

• Control moisture at the source. Fix leaks and dry affected areas carefully—but only once containment and safety measures are in place.

• Call a professional to assess the need for safe drying and mold removal.

Using fans before containment is set up can spread contamination—and exposure. Air movement should be controlled and filtered, not forced, when mold is present.