Dealing with Mildew in Your Home

moldAs the warmer months approach, many of us have to deal with the ugly problem of mildew. From bathrooms, to kitchens to basically anywhere where there is water, mildew can be a health risk and it is incredibly unsightly and in many cases, very smelly. However, there are a few techniques that you can use to stop mildew in its tracks. Let’s look at these simple household products that really work.

1. Bleach.

This is probably the best and easiest way to quickly get rid of existing mildew. While it does smell very strong, it will usually bust through even the worst patches of mildew and help keep the area very clean. This is a very effective method, but not everyone likes to deal with bleach.

2. Antibacterial cleaners.

Any household cleaner that has an antibacterial element is usually very successful at cleaning up a mildew situation. Pinesol works wonders and there are a few other cleaners that can get the job done. You may also be able to find a special cleaner that is specifically made to address a mildew problem quickly.

Now, let’s go over what you shouldn’t use.

First and foremost, steam cleaners are pretty popular for areas that are exposed to a lot of water and humidity. However, when you hit a patch of mildew with a blast of steam, you are actually releasing all of those nasty little spores into the air. You don’t want those in your lungs, and by spreading them around the room, you may actually make the mildew problem worse.

So you know what cleans up mildew – how do you prevent it from happening in the first place?

In bathrooms, or wherever there is a lot of water, you’re running the risk of creating the ideal environment for mildew. These rooms are often quite humid and mildew can happen within a few hours. After your shower, spray down the entire tub or shower surfaces with a spray and leave on cleaner. This should be done every day and it can dramatically reduce mildew.

Next, you’ll want to find someway to vent out that humidity. You can open a window or even get a fan to suck the steam out of the room. Either way, the longer you let humidity hang around in a room, the greater your chances are of fostering mildew. When you get out of the shower, leave the bathroom door open for a few hours to let all of that steam dissipate. That’s one very easy method of preventing mildew.

If you have a room that is particularly bad you may want to consider adding a dehumidifier. This can be very useful in drying up the air so that mildew no longer has a fertile breeding ground. Just remember, if you’re putting it in the bathroom, make sure that it is away from any sources of water to avoid the risk of electrocution. You may also want to consider a whole house dehumidifier if your situation with mildew is particularly bad.

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Originally posted 2008-07-31 05:26:46. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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1 comment so far ↓
#1 Tom on 01.26.10 at 8:01 pm

I am renting an apartment and there has been a water problem. I live on the bottom floor and lately there has water leaking on the bedroom floor and in the closets. Does that have an afferct on the lungs or helping to cause seizures?

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