Mildew is the bane of every house owner’s life – there’s nothing worse than seeing your beautifully refitted luxury bathroom come out in a bad rash of black spores that no amount of scrubbing will get rid of.

If you’ve got a problem with mold in your home, then this is the right website for you, we will show you how to remove mildew and get rid of that mildew smell.  We’ve scoured the globe to find everything you need to know about mildew, exactly what is it and what causes it to thrive? How does mildew negatively affect your home environment, and what are the best ways and the best products available to use in the UK and the US for mold and mildew removal and how do you prevent mildew coming back.

Mildew problem

So what exactly is it? Mildew is what we see as a thin layer of black, dark blue/green or white growth caused by molds which are simple plant species belonging to the group of plants known as fungi. The molds that produce mildew regenerate by releasing microscopic spores which simply drift around in the air, waiting for the right temperature and conditions to be present in order to grow. Usually these molds like the warm, dark, humid, airless nooks and crannies in your home but there are some molds that thrive in colder, drafty places.  Apart from temperature and humidity levels, mold also needs something to feed on.  The most common food stuff for household molds are natural materials such as cotton, silk, linen, wool, leather, wood, paper, and also a few manufactured materials such as grout or silicone sealant and the plastic used in shower curtains.  As a result most homes are susceptible to an attack of mildew, and in particular in the rooms and spaces of a home that are damper and that don’t get much light or fresh air, such as the bathroom or the basement.

Is it hazardous?  For the most part, common household mildew is not seriously hazardous, but in individuals that are more sensitive to certain molds or in situations where there is a high concentration of mold symptoms such as skin rashes, irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, fatigue and asthma can be triggered.  In serious cases where individuals have an already compromised immune systems, molds such as apergillus fumigatus, for example, can cause aspergillosis in the lungs.  Mold is also linked to “sick building syndrome”.    The other negative affect of mildew in your home is that it is extremely unsightly, can stain products in your home and it is essentially eating away at the material to which it has attached itself. This is why mold and mildew removal is so important.

Solutions for Mold and Mildew Removal

So, what can you do about removing mildew in your home? You can start by trying to prevent mold settling in you home in the first place by keeping it clean, minimizing damp and keeping those areas susceptible to damp well ventilated.  The natural abundance of water in the air can be countered by regularly heating the air in your home and then allowing the hot, dry air to escape from the home by simply opening the windows and you can also use dehumidifiers, moisture-absorbing silica gel or anhydrous calcium sulphate to help absorb excess water. You can also consider using commercial products specially developed to help prevent mildew growing, such as anti-mildew paint for woodwork, wax to protect leather products, and anti-mildew aerosol sprays for fabrics.  Once mildew takes hold in your home, there are also a number of chlorine bleach mildew removers, cleaning methods that will help kill mildew and stop it spreading, and mildew stain removal products available.  With careful research you will find the right mildew remover for your specific mildew problem.

So, there is plenty that can be done to prevent mildew growing in your home or to treat mildew if it does occur.  As with all aspects of maintaining a healthy home, vigilance and cleanliness is key.  And you only need to follow simple steps to ensure that you have the pleasant mildew free environment you deserve.

As with other household items that are susceptible to mildew growth, there are some products available commercially which have been designed specifically to treat mildew on textiles, leather, paper, clothing and jewelry.  It is usually sufficient to follow the directions specified on these products, but here are a few handy hints and homemade recipes to help you remove mold and mildew from these more delicate household items.

For textiles there are a number of homemade recipes that you can try before resorting to a chemical solution.  If you need to clean a colored fabric first make sure that the fabric is colorfast.  The easiest way to do this is to rub the colored fabric against a white fabric – if the white fabric gets stained with the color then the colored fabric is not colorfast.  As long as the fabric is colorfast you can then try soaking it in a solution of 1 cup of buttermilk mixed with 1 gallon of cold water.  Leave it to soak overnight and then wash the fabric on a cold cycle in the washing machine using your usual fabric detergent.  Another recipe you can try is mixing together ¼ cup of salt, ¼ cup of lemon juice and 1 pint of warm water.  Rub the paste into the affected area of the fabric and let it sit for half an hour.  Then wash in the washing machine as normal with your usual detergent.  For white fabric the best method of mildew removal for stains is by soaking in bleach mixed with water for about ten minutes, then rinse thoroughly and wash as usual.

For leather goods that have an unpleasant layer of mold growing on them, first brush off as much of the loose mold spores as possible – do this outside to avoid excessive inhalation of the spores. Then wipe away the remaining mildew with a cloth dampened in a solution of 1 cup denatured or rubbing alcohol to 1 cup water.  If further leather cleaning is necessary use regular washing detergent and finally allow the leather item to dry out completely before treating with wax or polish.

If books or paper have been affected by mildew and they are now dry, then simply remove the loose mildew spores with a clean, soft cloth.  It may jot be possible to completely get rid of the mildew stains. If the paper is still damp, then you must first dry it out in a well-ventilated place.  You can speed up the drying process by sprinkling cornstarch or talcum powder between the pages of a book.  Then when the book is dry, simply brush off the starch or powder along with the dry mold spores.  If a book has leather bindings then follow the recipe above to wipe off the mold before applying wax to protect the leather.

Sika Mould Buster

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There aren’t so many mold and mildew removal products readily available to buy online in the UK, but of the few there are couple worth tracking down.  First is Sika Mould Buster, a fantastic environmentally friendly biodegradable product mainly for exterior surfaces including roofs, gutters, terraces, walls, rendering, plaster, glass, floors, fences, decking, PVC doors, windows, conservatories, garden furniture, caravans, most metals, tarmac and asphalt.  Best of all Sika Mould Buster requires hardly any effort – simply dilute 1 part product with 4 part water, apply to the dry infested surface and let it work – with no rinsing or scrubbing needed!  You should get results within 2-3 days and only need to reapply a couple of times a year.

XERIA CX Concrobium mould and mildew remover spray

The mould and mildew remover spray from Xeria contains a remarkable new ingredient called Concrobium which has been specially developed to be safe and environmentally friendly, free of harmful chemicals, bleaches and ammonia, odourless and biodegradable.  Essentially Concrobium works by killing the initial mould problem and creating a film over the affected area to prevent mould regrowth.  The product can be used on virtually any surface indoors and is easy to use – and as it is one hundred percent non-toxic you can be sure to leave a clean safe mildew-free environment for your family and pets.

HG Mould Spray

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For serious mildew problems in the most difficult areas of the house – the shower, bathroom and the kitchen – HG Mould Spray will do the job.  It is a very powerful chemical based product, and must be used with care and attention to the instructions, ensuring that you keep the area you are treating well-ventilated and wear rubber gloves during treatment.  HG Mould spray is particularly effective for stubborn mildew stains on tile grouting and silicone sealant

HG Stain Away for Mildew Stains in Textiles

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The best product being sold online to specifically tackle mildew stains on textiles, HG Stain Away for Mildew Stains in Textiles is an excellent solution for all those textile home products that have been attacked by mildew because they have been folded up while still wet, without first having had the chance to dry. Particularly useful for those items that you don’t use often which are then discovered to have a mildew problem when unpacked such as tents, sails, sunshades and swimming costumes.   Unfortunately this is not a non-toxic product, but at under £11 it is good value for money compared to replacing items that have been damaged by mildew.

There are specialized mildew removal products available to tackle all areas of the home and practically all surfaces, but here are some handy tips and some homemade preparations to make the task of removing mildew form tricky areas such as the bathroom or upholstery easier.

For bathroom and kitchen surfaces most mild cases of mildew can be treated with a simple solution of 1 cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water, but stronger pre-prepared products are also available.  Simply apply the product of the solution and scrub using a stiff sponge  – I would recommend using an old toothbrush for the hard to reach parts of a shower unit or for scrubbing tile grout.  For shower curtains that have been attacked by mildew, soak the curtains for several hours in the bleach/ water mixture before scrubbing and then rinsing.

Unfortunately with shower curtains, the mildew could have created a deep stain and in this case you will have little option but to replace the shower curtain.

In both the bathroom and the kitchen make sure that you keep cooking utensils, crockery and toothbrushes well away from the area being treated and that, once you have removed the mildew, you thoroughly rinse the area. Also, when using bleach and chemical products in the in the bathroom and kitchen it is imperative that you keep those rooms properly ventilated and wear protective rubber gloves and take care not to stain your clothing.  As with all mildew removal, getting the affected area aired and dried out once the mold has been removed is paramount.

For upholstered items such as sofas, armchairs and mattresses start by placing the affected item outside if possible. Then use a dry, stiff brush or broom to brush off the loose mold spores from the upholstered surface, followed by passing over a vacuum cleaner to try and get any deeper loose spores.  You can then sponge a diluted mild fabric detergent over the upholstery to lift up the stain, blotting dry as you go along with a tea towel.  You can also try the bleach/ water solution – but do test it on a small part of the upholstered item first to check that it doesn’t affect the color.  Try to avoid getting the item too deeply soaked with water to protect the inner filling.  Finally allow the item to dry in a warm but well-ventilated area before using again.

Wet and Forget 10587 1 Gallon Moss, Mold and Mildew Stain Remover

To all extents and purposes Wet and Forget seems to be the ideal mildew and mold removal product for exteriors, particularly because its unique formula is non-acidic, non-caustic and contains no bleach.  It is made from biodegradable selective surfactants and can be applied to practically any exterior surface.  Best of all, its claims to be a one-stop product with no scrubbing or rinsing necessary are absolutely true – simply apply Wet and Forget according to the instructions and watch over time how the mold simply disappears.  In most cases results are visible within a month of application and an annual top-up application is all that is need to keep your exterior surfaces pristine.

KRUD KUTTER MS32 Mold and Mildew Stain Remover Plus Blocker

Krud Kutter is a really great all-round product suitable for both indoor and outdoor use and one most surfaces.  It is particularly good for painted wood surfaces and also for cleaning mold and mildew from tile grout and vinyl surfaces like shower curtains. It has a fantastic no bleach or ammonia formula and a floral scent making it both environmentally friendly and pleasant to use indoors.  Plus it comes in a handy spray bottle, which means it is really easy to apply.

MoldZyme Mold and Mildew Stain Remover

MoldZyme is another great non-chlorine or ammonia based mildew removal product for use both indoors and outdoors.  It is made from filtered water, fermented vegetable matter and natural surfactants, which means it is biodegradable and eco-friendly.  It is suitable for just about any surface you can imagine in the home and has the added bonus of being designed to eliminate musty odors as well as remove the mildew stain. This is definitely an efficient product worth trying before using bleach-based products and would be suitable as a leather furniture cleaner.

WD-40 X-14 Professional Instant Mildew Stain Remover

The X-14 Mildew stain remover from WD-40 is probably the best chemical based product for removing mildew in the home.  This is a maximum-strength mildew stain remover whose formula is apparently 66% stronger than most regular-strength mildew stain removers. X-14 works on most household surfaces, including tiles, grout, decking, vinyl, plastic and wood and is certainly very efficient with no scrubbing required – simply spray the product on leave for the recommended time and rinse away!

For removal products available in the UK please read mold and removal products UK.

If you have a mildew problem in your home, you have two options.  One way is to simply dispose of the items that the mildew has attached itself to; but this can be a costly way of dealing with mildew. A less drastic approach would be to try to salvage your home effects by killing the mold that has caused the mildew and then cleaning away the residual stain.  To do this you can use one of the numbers of commercial products aimed at doing just this, as well as a few homemade recipes that you can try. You will need to think carefully about the method you use to remove the mildew depending on the material of the item that is affected.

If you prefer to use a specially developed commercial product, the first thing to check is whether the product is suitable for home interiors or exteriors, as well as the types of material it can be applied to.  Some products are suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications.  It is also worth noting that different products contain differing degrees of toxic chemicals, usually a form of bleach or ammonia.  There are products on the market, which claim to be environmentally friendly and non-toxic, and in my opinion I would try these products first. You should get a good mildew removal results provided you don’t have really deeply engrained mildew problem.  If the eco-friendly product doesn’t completely remove the mildew then you can try a harsher bleach or ammonia based product.

Once you have chosen a mildew removing product, the next thing to make sure of is that you have the correct application tools – usually a sponge and flannel cloth are sufficient – as well as sensible protective clothing such as rubber gloves.  If you are using a bleach or ammonia based product make sure you use it in a well-ventilated space, or aim to minimize your exposure to the fumes.  Follow the instructions on the product carefully.

Most homemade mildew removal recipes involve combining 1/3 cup household detergent, 1 quart household chlorine bleach, 3 quarts warm water and ½ cup sodium bicarbonate.  Please note that sodium bicarbonate should not be used on aluminum surfaces.

When using either commercial products or homemade recipes, test the product on a small area of the material to be treated first to make sure it does not result in discoloration or damage.

How can you make sure mildew doesn’t grow in your home?  And if you have had a problem, removed what steps can you take to make sure molds don’t return once they’ve been removed?

Well the main thing that you must do is to minimize damp and moisture in your home.  Did you know that by simply doing your regular household chores, such as cooking, laundering and bathing, three gallons of water is added to the air in your home?  It is essential then that your home is properly ventilated on a regular basis.   Simply opening the windows every day will really help a great deal. You can combine this with regularly heating your home so that the air dries – but in this instance you must then ventilate to let the hot moisture-laden air out.  Even in winter it is important to ventilate your home from time to time, as this is the only way to ensure that the air in your home is refreshed and hygienic.

Some areas of the home need special attention. Most modern homes come ready made with good extraction fan units in the bathrooms – these usually are set to turn on when you turn the bathroom lights on and this ensures that each time the room is used, damp air is properly ventilated.  If you don’t already have an extractor fan in your bathroom, you can get one very easily and inexpensively installed.

If you have a chronic damp problem in your home, you will need to take extra measures to dry out the air in your home.  There are two ways of getting rid of excessive moisture in your home.  Firstly you can use properly-installed air-conditioning units which are designed to remove moisture from the air – these work by taking in warm moisture-laden air, cooling it and removing the moisture and then circulating cool, dry air back into the room.  Dehumidifying units work much in the same way.

There are also a number of commercial non-toxic chemical products available which can help draw out the moisture form the air; these products usually contain moisture-absorbing silica gel, activated alumina or anhydrous calcium sulfate, and are most easily used in closet and drawer spaces to prevent mold and mildew growing on your clothes and linens.

Finally, in some areas of the home, particularly basements, mold and mildew growth is accompanied by a musty odor.   The best way of getting rid of the odor in the basement once you have treated the mold is to sprinkle chlorinated lime over the floor, then sweep it up once the musty smalls have disappeared.

Before we get into mould and mildew removal lets get to grips with what we’re dealing with. Mildew is essentially the visible result of an accumulation of mold – we see it as a thin layer of black, dark blue/green or sometimes white growth. Molds are simple plants belonging to the plant group known as fungi. There are several different kinds of mold that can cause mildew in your home. The molds that cause mildew in your home are so small that they are simply transported in the air waiting for the right conditions in which to thrive. Mold and mildew is known to cause two distinct problems in your home environment.  Firstly the appearance of mold is unsightly and can stain and destroy the furniture, fabrics, wallpaper or tiles that it has attached itself to.

Secondly molds can be hazardous to your health. There are a number of molds that are regarded as being toxic. These toxic molds produce mycotoxins capable of causing severe health problems. The most common molds, which are found indoors, are Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Aspergillus.  Whilst these molds are toxic, they are relatively harmless in small quantities but, if left to spread or if a person with low immunity comes into contact with them, they can cause a range of medical conditions usually affecting the skin and the respiratory system.  The most common symptoms in those who are affected by mold are coughing, asthma, nasal congestion, sinusitis/rhinitis, skin rashes, and generalized fatigue.  In extreme cases these common molds can lead to pneumonia developing. The most toxic mold that can be found indoors is Stachybotrys, which has been linked to pulmonary hemorrhaging. It is important to note that serious medical conditions caused by molds are most prevalent in homes where sufferers are exposed to a mold problem that has been left to grow rampantly in the home over time, without being treated.

Most of the mildew caused by mold in your home will not result in such extreme health problems if you are quick with your mold mildew inspection and removal,  and practice good home hygiene to prevent it coming back.  The most common household moulds that cause mildew thrive in damp, dark, humid and airless conditions – this is why mildew is so often found in bathrooms or cellars, where there is often little natural light, a lot of water around and poor ventilation.   Treating and dealing with mild cases of mildew in the home is therefore relatively simple and can make a big difference to the quality of your home environment.

Now lets take a look at some mold and mildew removal products.