Mildew
Mildew – Mold Removal Tips and Preventive Measures
Tips for Getting Rid of Mold and Mildew
Feb 3rd
Over the past few decades, housewives around the world have waged war on mold and mildew. Chances are that you’re one of those housewives who have had to confront this painful problem to deal with. Getting rid of mold and mildew may feel like a bit of an uphill battle but there are things you can do when cleaning and caring for your home that will make a world of difference and help you win your war once and for all.
Sometimes, you smell the mold long before you actually see where it’s coming from. When you start noticing the smell it’s time to follow your nose to the source of the problem. Or at least, follow your nose straight to some of the usual suspects for mold issues like the area around faucets, laundry rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, and basements.
There are a few other potential problem areas that are often overlooked simply because they are so difficult to get to. They include the floors beneath and the walls behind your refrigerator, the walls beneath window air conditioners, roofs, and attics. There are plenty of places in your home for mold to hide out of sight. You might have to dig a little bit to find the good hiding spots.
Bleach is the first choice for many housewives when it comes to killing mold. For some, the smell of bleach is associated with the smell of clean. It also covers up the smell of the mold. But others have decided long ago that the harsh chemical smell of bleach is not something they want in their homes and around their children and pets – no matter how effective this is or is not for cleaning mold.
Fortunately, there are options that remain that aren’t nearly as harmful to hearth and home (or the planet for that matter) as bleach. A spray mixture of equal parts vinegar and water is a good place to begin. On porous surfaces this is one of the standard methods for getting rid of mold and mildew.
With porous surfaces, mold and mildew elimination remedies are limited in strength and variations. You need to choose something like vinegar because it is so effective and is much safer to have in your home.
There are organic products on the market for black mold removal. Even though these products have been deemed safe for the planet it’s still a good idea to only use in well-ventilated areas (as much as black mold treatments will allow ventilation). Open windows generally work best provided you have cordoned off the area with plastic sheets to prevent the spread of mold to other areas of your home.
In addition to cleaning formulas for eliminating mold and mildew you’re going to need to have a few select items on hand to help get rid of it. Among these items are the following: scrubbing brushes, clean dry rags, rubber gloves, surgical masks, and black plastic garbage bags that can be sealed for waste.
You should also consider that you’ll need different cleaning products for different surfaces just as you may for different kinds of mold. Fabrics are not as easily cleaned by the same products designed for eliminating mold and mildew on walls and floors.
If you can’t bleach the clothes you should at least consider finding products that are considered color-safe, are approved for fabric, and designed to kill mold and mildew. Be prepared for the fact that some items are just not salvageable from the damages of mold and mildew too.
Great Mold and Mildew Removers
Oct 3rd
When you’re in the market for mold and mildew removers, only the best will do. This is a serious problem to have in any home and one you definitely don’t want to take unnecessary risks with. The amazing thing is the sheer number or products that exist on the market for removing mold and mildew. With so many choices how on earth do you choose the right one to get the job done? One option is to explore options that you can make yourself.
Manufacturers may try to convince you that you need one cleaner for mold and another one for mildew. That isn’t always the case when you’re trying to get rid of mold and mildew. In fact most cleaners will work for both mildew, which is not nearly as threatening, from a health perspective, as black mold and many different kinds of molds.
When you’re working at removing mold and mildew you should also consider the benefit of going with products that are safer for the environment than the average over the counter product. Making decisions like this will protect your family from mold today and from potential eco-disasters down the road.
When you’re on a budget, it might be tempting to turn to the old standby treatment for all cleaning disasters – bleach. If the smell doesn’t kill you, the hope is that it will kill the mold. Unfortunately, bleach has been proven to be effective at only removing surface mold. This means that the deeper mold problems will just keep coming back again and again unless you find mold and mildew removers that are able to penetrate many layers beneath the surface to kill them both once and for all. Bleach may not be as budget-friendly as it sounds if it isn’t really effective at all.
Toxic fungus removal is another story altogether. The first order of business is to guard your health against possible contamination. You do this by wearing a breathing mask whenever you’re in proximity to the mold. You should also wear rubber gloves and change them frequently to avoid spreading these resilient spores back to surfaces that have already been cleaned or those that were never contaminated to begin with.
Once you’ve applied the proper amount of mold cleaner to the affected area you should follow the package instructions concerning times for allowing the formula to soak in and do its job. Failing to do so can result in the failure of the product to work as prescribed.
You should also never throw away the instructions for these products. You never know when you’ll need to refer to them and they are good to have around for verification that you’re doing things correctly or to point out mistakes you might be making.
Even products that are planet-friendly can have damaging effects when used incorrectly. With that in mind it’s always wise to stick to the package directions and test products before using them in visible areas in an attempt to get rid of mold and mildew.
Mold and Mildew Differences
Sep 23rd
Most people don’t understand that there is a difference between mold and mildew. That means that there are also a few subtle differences in how to clean them as well as how to protect your home from these destructive forces. Now is a great time to learn about some of the mold and mildew differences so you can be sure to treat the problem you have on hand should you ever have a problem with one or both of these fungi.
Mold – This fungus grows on surfaces that are moist and/or decaying. Those surfaces include a wide range of materials like leather, clothes, walls, floors, ceilings, and even food. The color of mold is often indicative of the type of mold as well as its destructive properties. Most mold, aside from the “yuck” factor, really is harmless. There are a few though that can be perfectly lethal in the right set of circumstances.
Mildew – This fungus also grows on moist surfaces. The difference is that it’s generally limited to areas where moisture is expected like window sills, showers, and bathtubs. It is generally either gray or white in color and comes in a fuzzy form or a powdery form. While mildew is not generally toxic, many people have allergies that are specific to mildew.
If you’re looking to get rid of black mold for good in your home, an ounce of prevention goes a long way. Don’t give it any moist quarters within your home to sink its spores into. Once you do have a black mold problem on your hand removing mold will become your first priority. The same holds true for removing mildew – it may not be toxic but it needs to be removed quickly and efficiently.
Mold and mildew removal is infinitely easier if you make the investment in a dehumidifier for your home. This device actually removes moisture from the air so mold and mildew have nowhere to go inside your walls. Using exhaust fans when appropriate in kitchens and bathrooms can also help out a lot. When cleaning mold and mildew you should always protect your hands by wearing rubber gloves.
Useful Information Concerning Black Mold and Mildew
Aug 5th
Were you aware that block mold (the toxic variety) and mildew are not the same things? They are both forms of mold but mildew is not toxic as rule even though it can play havoc with sensitive allergies. Toxic mold, on the other hand, can lead to all kinds of health problems and even death in those that are particularly susceptible to its effect.
Even though there are marked differences between the two there is one thing they have in common. They should not be allowed to remain in your home. You need to get rid of black mold and mildew quickly and effectively. No one wants to look at mold and the health implications alone are enough to make the average homeowner eager to be rid of the unpleasant fungus. But, don’t go out and start buying out the local hardware stores of chemical mold removers just yet.
Black mold will require special action to properly remove. It is a toxin and an ordinary cleaner isn’t going to do the trick for removing this fungus. There are products designed specifically for eliminating black mold and those are the products you need to buy for this problem.
Mildew isn’t usually dangerous but it’s not something you want to play around with either. It’s wise to wear protection like rubber gloves, goggles, and face masks even when dealing with this job to eliminate mold and/or mildew from your home.
Since mildew and black mold grow best in moist environments it’s important to repair any leaks before cleaning up the mold – unless you simply enjoy that kind of work and wish to do it again.
You should also take care to keep the area dry in the future to prevent new mold growth. Wipe down shower walls after bathing or showering and use exhaust fans if possible. Otherwise, consider opening windows to allow moisture to escape.
If you’re trying to eliminate black mold that covers an area greater than ten square feet you would be better off hiring a professional to do the job. Before making any decisions about hiring professionals make sure you talk to your home owner’s insurance company to see if your policy covers this particular type of damage and/or the cleanup process. Some cities offer assistance for homeowners who are struggling with black mold as well.
There are three rooms that are worth investing in an exhaust fan for if you don’t want to make getting rid of black mold and mildew a full-time job for yourself and your family: the laundry room, kitchen, and bathroom. If that is a project that’s out of your budget for the moment, consider getting a dehumidifier as it will also remove moisture from the air.
Eliminating black mold should be a priority in your home. This will require that you throw some things out as they simply aren’t salvageable. Things like wallpaper, drywall, and other delicate items just can’t be saved. They need to be sealed in a plastic bag for proper disposal.
Whatever you do, don’t ignore the problem. Mold isn’t going to go away. If you have this particular problem then getting rid of black mold and mildew needs to be your first priority. Otherwise you may end up spending a lot more money in damage repair and medical costs.
Removing Black Mold from Leather
Jun 19th
Did you know there is a secret to removing black mold from leather? It’s true. Getting black mold out of leather may have seemed like an impossible dream but you can do it – without ruining the leather. Those old bleach solutions are a thing of the past. They won’t work for leather anyway. Neither will many of the so-called “green products” that are designed to get rid of mold.
Leather is one of those materials that is often considered tough even though it’s quite fragile in some ways too. There are five steps you can follow that will have your leather in tip top condition before you know it.
1) Use a damp cloth and wipe the mold away. You need to wear a mask while doing this so you do not breathe in spores. Get as much of the mold as you can with the cloth.
2) Follow the soft cloth with a soft bristle brush (remember you do not want to damage the leather so be gentle). Scrub the area that has been affected by mold so that the brush gets down in the grooves or grain in the leather.
3) Use a solution of soap that’s been approved for use on leather with water and rub it into the leather. Wear gloves for this process.
4) Wipe away any soap that has been left behind with a clean, soft cloth.
5) Buff the leather dry with another clean cloth and then condition the leather.
Black mold removal from leather really can be that simple. You don’t have to get rid of leather goods or clothing as a result of black mold if you learn these steps to eliminate black mold from leather.
Home Tests for Mold – Advice You Can Count On
Jun 17th
Home tests for mold can help you identify specific types of household mold that may be present in your home. When they are performed properly, mold home tests can help you learn more about particular strains that are a problem in your home so that you can treat the mold problems you’re having with greater efficiency. These tests are simple to buy simply by shopping at local hardware or home improvement supply stores.
But, don’t dive right in without taking a little time to understand the potential strengths and weaknesses of these tests.
Advantages of Testing for Household Mold with Mold Tests
The big advantage of these types of tests is that they are relatively simple to use. It doesn’t require an in depth knowledge of chemistry or microbiology and the average person can do it by following the instructions that are included in the package.
The other advantage that is no small potatoes is that you don’t have to wait for the timeline of a professional. When you discover mold you want to deal with it now. These tests allow you to “do something” now to get control of the problem in even a small way.
Mold home tests are really beneficial when it comes down to the price. The cost of a home test is about $10 -$40 whereas professionals can cost well over the $100 mark.
Disadvantages of Home Mold Testing
While the advantages are many, the disadvantages are also well worth exploring before you decide to make this investment. The main disadvantage is that you may unknowingly expose yourself to a toxic type of mold while trying to identify it.
Next is the fact that there is no standardization among mold testing products. This means that not all products will live up to their claims and there is very little regulation to ensure that they properly identify the mold at all.
You must do a little research of your own before purchasing a kit and buy according to what is working for others and not buy the home tests for mold that have the lowest possible price tag. Google search results and consumer sites like Epinions.com are excellent resources for solid consumer information on which products do and do not work.
Mold tests come in many shapes and sizes. Some are more reliable than others. However, if you take your time to find the right product, testing for household mold with these home tests for mold can save you a lot of time, aggravation, and money.
