Mildew is horrible stuff – it’s unsightly, smells terrible and also can cause all sorts of issues in the long term as regards health. Generally, mildew appears in areas that are damp and musty and if untreated can really end up taking over and thriving.
Bathrooms are a very common place for mildew, though storage areas are also prone to the mildew growth. Understanding how to treat and eradicate mildew is very important and can make for a cleaner, healthier and better home. Here’s how to do it.
Bathroom Mildew
The bathroom is one of the most common places for mildew growth, simply due to the fact that it’s a damp environment. However, it’s quite easy to treat it.
First thing to do is to create a cleaning solution by mixing up chlorine bleach and a gallon of water. You should use around a quarter of a litre of bleach for each gallon of water you use. Next, dip a rag or a brush in the solution and then clean the affected area. You should now leave it for around ten minutes and then clean it off with warm water.
One of the best ways to prevent this issue is through using a vent fan to do so. This keeps air circulating around the area and lowers the chance of mildew growing in the bathroom. A dehumidifier is also a good option and a hire every so often can prevent mildew becoming a regular occurrence.
Furniture Mildew
Mildew also loves furniture and can destroy a beautiful piece of wood quite easily. Cleaning and treating mildew on furniture is not nearly as hard as you think and here’s how to do so.
Mildew on wood – picture courtesy of instructables.com
The best thing to do is to vacuum loose spores from the furniture and then ensure that you clean our or throw away the bag, to prevent infestation and other such issues. The next step is to wipe the area down. This is best done with some dishwashing detergent and warm water. This can be done with a damp rag, though not too damp as this will cause damage to the wood.
After this is done, you should then use a wood furniture polish to treat the area. If the smell continues then place baking soda on the wood and leave for around 20 minutes. You can then vacuum it off or out of the area.
Fabric
Mildew also loves fabrics and the best way to deal with it is to leave the fabric out in natural light and allow it to get some air. Natural light is a mildew destroyer as mildew thrives in dark and damp areas. Make sure the garment is completely dry and then get a wire brush and wipe away the spores and then cover it with fabric bleach and leave it to soak for a while. You should then place it in a washing machine to rinse. Leave it to dry and the item should be clean.
These tips should enable you to clean mildew off any surface and in doing so prevent it destroying your items.
About the author:
Cormac Rennicks is a long term DIY writer and has worked for a variety of cleaning companies in his time, many of whom used http://www.bestathire.co.uk