Mold and mildew problems are 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.

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 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.