Mold and Mildew
Yuck! Mold and mildew sure is a mess!
No one wants to admit that they might have mold and mildew growing in their bathrooms or under their rugs, but the simple fact is that fungi lurks in every house in America.
No matter how clean you may be, the odds are good that mold spores have still found their way to some hidden places in your home where they began to grow.
The key to keeping this potentially dangerous fungi at bay is learning how to find hidden mold pockets and get rid of mold and mildew spores.
While mold and mildew can be tough to eradicate from your home if it begins to take over, it is possible to get and keep things clean; with the right cleaners and little elbow grease.
How to Get Rid of Mold and Mildew
Look around your home carefully (don’t forget closets, the backs of drapes and even in your closets) for signs of mildew.
Once you notice the dark stains of mold and mildew in your bathroom, basement or garage, the fungi has already had a chance to implant itself in your woodwork, tiles, grout, carpet and more.
There’s no time to waste – immediate action is needed. Not only can mold and mildew ruin your furniture and draperies, it can make you sick!
Uncontrolled mold can actually get into your lungs and cause a variety of illnesses from the simple cold to more serious respiratory ailments.
So, how can you get rid of the mold and mildew you have right now. There are several steps you can take.
Sunlight and Fresh Air
This works well on fabrics that are under mildew attack.
Take the clothing, linens or curtains outside to dust off. Hand the clothes on an outside line in full sun to allow it's penetrating rays kill mold and mildew, reduce or eliminate any mildewy odor, and lighten mild staining. The sun will brighten clothing, and it will dry damp items which will allow you to brush powdery mold and mildew away.
Bleach
Using a mixture of bleach and water on just about any surface can help to eradicate mold and mildew from your home.
Warning: Do not mix bleach with any other cleaning product unless the manufacturer specifically allows for it's use. Bleach reacts to a multitude of other cleaning products and toxic gases can be produced. Always rinse surfaces completely in between using different cleaning products.
Denatured Alcohol and Water
Denatured alcohol and water (equal parts) scrubbed into upholstery can be very effective in ridding furniture of mold and mildew stains.
Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol and water (equal parts) makes a great mold and mildew remover for leather products.
Baking Soda
Mild alkaline solutions works well to clean wood surfaces of mold and mildew stains and spores.
Baking soda is a good example of an alkaline substance.
Mix:
- 1/2 cup of baking soda
- 1 quart warm water.
Mix the solution thoroughly and apply with a sponge to cutting boards. Other varnished, stained or high value wood items can be cleaned using a commercial product from paint and janitors supply companies.
Preventing Mold and Mildew
Keep poorly ventilated areas like bathrooms, closets, basement, etc., as clean as possible and disinfect regularly.
Any type of soil or dirt on a surface offers a buffet of food for growing mold and mildew. Also, try and keep areas ventilated well to keep excess moisture at bay.
Mold and mildew thrive in dark, damp areas of the home. Use humidifiers and dehumidifiers in your home is a great way to keep moisture levels at the right percentages (30-50 percent).
Of course doing everything you can to prevent the growth of mold and mildew may not be enough.
You still may find the nasty fungi growing in some places in your home. Whenever you find mildew stains, be sure to attack them with quickly with the methods above.
