How to get rid of mildew
Mildew is a type of fungus that can be quite difficult to control. It collects anywhere moisture is present and temperature levels are high – especially bathrooms and can be present in basements, etc. Not only does it damage your property, but it can also pose a health risk, especially for those that have an allergy to mold. It eats away at your home and it eats away at your health.
It is distinguishable from other types of fungi by its thin, sheet-like appearance that often coats entire surfaces. It can be black or white in color and as it grows it leaves behind a musty, sour-like odor. Most mildews are caused by the overgrowth of its cousin – mold.
Mildew can grown on most types of fabrics, leather, woods, paper, cement, linoleum, paint, sheet rock, etc. Mildew needs a damp, moist environment and organic material to thrive. Roof and foundation leaks, high interior humidity, overflowing washing machines and severe forms of flooding are common sources of moisture. The organic materials mildew attacks – drywall backing, wallpaper, carpet backing, household dust and wood products.
Tightly-sealed newer houses may be better at holding the heat, but they are also more likely to trap moisture and spores. Mechanical ventilation, like an air-to-air heat exchanger is critical for healthy air quality in tightly sealed new homes.
The most common causes of mildew are:
Poor air circulation
Low or non-existent lighting
Warm, humid temperatures
Grease or body oils left on materials (shower walls, doors)
Damp or wet conditions
The bathroom is most often the dirtiest room in the house with the highest concentration of bacteria infested there. The bathroom is usually small and generates tremendous amounts of moisture and humidity making it a natural breeding ground for all types of bacteria and mildew. White and/or black mildew will show itself in bath areas, clinging to walls and ceilings, growing on shower doors and shower curtains and spreading between grout and tile.
You can control the humidity in the air to help keep mildew from growing. Turn on the bathroom fan. This will pull the moisture out of the air and prevent the growth of mildew altogether. If you don’t have a fan, use a dehumidifier, air conditioner or simply open the bathroom window to circulate the air. During the winter months – turn on the heat. Heat will dry out the bathroom faster and remove excess moisture from the air.
Turn on your bathroom lights. Mildew doesn’t grow well in well-lit areas.
Keep your bathroom clean. Mildew thrives on body oils and soap scum trapped on painted surfaces, grout, shower doors, shower curtains and tiling. Scrub down your bathroom shower walls and doors with a stiff brush and a solution of bleach and water using the ratio of 1 cup chlorine bleach to 5 cups hot water. This will kill bacteria as well as mold and mildew.
Wash shower curtains in hot water, adding 1 cup of bleach to the washer. Mildew loves to grow on them as well.
There are chemical mildew removers on the market, but those can be highly toxic. You will need to use rubber gloves and ventilate the bathroom the entire time you are cleaning it.
You can prevent mildew by wiping down the shower after bathing to remove moisture. Use a squeegee to handle shower walls and tiles and soap water from shower curtains with a sponge.
Hang your towels and washcloths – they are hot spots for mildew to grow. Hang anything that can collect moisture.
Clean your kitchen counters and tiles the same way.
The installation of fans and vents will keep moisture levels down giving mildew a less chance of growing. Be sure to vent outside and not into the attic or crawlspace of your home.
You can use a mildew proof paint in the kitchen and bathrooms. These paints are designed for high moisture areas.
Some swear that after cleaning their grout, tile and shower stalls, an application of a small amount of car wax used in the bath and polished in will keep your room moisture and mildew proof for up to a year.
Squirting dishwashing gel into a bucket of hot water will help to clean tubs and sinks of soap scum and common bacteria. Rinse and dry well.
Fill a spray bottle with white vinegar. After each shower, spray shower walls, tiles, curtains and doors. Vinegar will kill the mold bacteria before mildew has a chance to set in. It also removes body oils and soap scum. It is also an effective mildew and odor remover.
You can remove the musty odor of mildew by scrubbing bathroom grout and tiling with a brush a paste mixture made from equal parts baking soda, water and salt. Rinse thoroughly.
A daily spray of a disinfectant (Lysol for instance) kills germs that cause odors. After showering, spray the shower and sink area.
You can also dilute lemon juice in water to help remove odors and stop the buildup of body oils and soap scum that contribute to mildew growth.
For a build up of mildew in the corners, soak cotton balls in bleach and let them sit directly over the mildewed area for 10 to 20 minutes. Remove the cotton balls and rinse.
To remove mildew from the shower track door, pour vinegar into the track and let soak 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse.
To prevent future mildew growth on shower curtains, soak them (after washing with bleach as stated above) in salt water. Hang and allow to dry. To remove stubborn mildew stains and odors, rub the shower curtain with lemon juice.
Pre-wash laundry sprays can be sprayed on shower curtains to remove mildew and mold stains.
You can also soak shower curtains in steaming hot water and fabric softener. Rinse and dry as usual.
Getting rid of a little mildew is easy. If the entire room has been taken over that’s a different story. If the mold problem is extreme, call in the professionals – you could be putting your health at risk.
If mildew is on wallpaper, using bleach may remove the color/print. It may be necessary to replace the wallpaper entirely. Be sure to wear goggles and a face mask for the job.
If the mildew has grown into drywall just a little, cleaning fluids maybe enough. If it is deep-set, then it may be necessary to replace it. Consult the professionals. Never paint or wallpaper over damaged areas unless you get rid of the mildew first or it will still be there contaminating everything and spreading.
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Tags: home remedies for mildew removal, mildew, mildew removal, moisture, preventing mildew
