What Are The Effects Of Mold Vs Mildew
Mold and mildew have different effects on the surfaces where they grow and the people who live in their vicinity. For example, mildew can harm the food it grows on, but it doesnt typically leave lasting damage to other surfaces, such as tile floors or bathroom mirrors. Additionally, anyone who inhales mildew spores may start coughing, get a headache or have trouble breathing, so this fungus can present some health issues.
However, the effects of mold tend to be more serious. Mold can damage entire structures, including homes and vehicles, and it can cause long-term health problems for people. The difference in the effects of black mold vs. mildew is pretty stark, as reactions to mold can include respiratory issues, heart problems, joint pain, migraines, fatigue and depression. In addition, anyone who has a mold allergy may experience congestion, sneezing, and irritation of the eyes, throat and skin. This is why its important to prevent or treat mold as soon as possible.
Air Dry In Direct Sunlight
If the mildew smell is minor, or if you’ve just noticed it, one quick way to get rid of it is to line dry your clothes in direct sunlight. The sun’s UV rays kill most microbes that cause this smell, and sometimes drying them is all you need. Plus, theres nothing quite like the fresh aroma of clothing and household linens dried in the sun rather than a dryer. Line drying can save you some money on your utility bills, too.
Of course, the tradeoff here is that the sun can cause discoloration if you leave your clothes exposed for too long. But in a pinch, this can be an easy way to get rid of that nasty smell.
Mildew: The Lesser Of Two Evils
Mildew and mold are both fungi, but mildew is not as invasive or troublesome as other types of mold. Typically found in wet areas, mildew looks grayish-white and may turn brown. Its flat and powdery and its an easier fungus to clean because it lives only on the surface of a material . If you see powdery white specks collecting in the corner of a shower, you should be able to clean it away entirely with a cleaning product such as bleach or vinegar.
Mildew can cause similar allergic reactions to that of mold, but because its easier to eliminate, its less of a threat. A little bleach can stop mildew dead in its track.
Typical Traits of Mildew:
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Preventing Mold And Mildew
Its best to limit the chances of mold growing, rather than have to take steps to control mold once its taken root in your home. Recommended mold prevention measures include:
- Keeping your home well-ventilated, especially the shower, laundry, and kitchen areas. Make sure you have exhaust fans that vent outside of your home.
- Maintaining a 30 to 50 percent humidity level within your home. A dehumidifier or an air conditioner will help, particularly during the more humid months.
- Quickly fixing any leaks in your homes structure or plumbing.
- Removing carpeting from damp areas such as your bathroom or a basement.
Be especially careful if your home is flooded, whether its a natural flood or a human-made cause such as a burst pipe. The Federal Emergency Management Agency states that mold and mildew will develop within 24 to 48 hours of water damage and exposure.
Hiring A Mold Remediation Specialist
According to the EPA, if you find mold spores growing on studs, subflooring, your HVAC system, or drywall in an area that exceeds nine square feet, its best to hire a professional mold removal service. Improperly treating serious infestations can cause cross-contamination to other areas.
Factors to consider
- When hiring someone to clean mold, check references and ask about their approach. You want to make sure theyre as thorough as possible.
- The mold remediation cost will vary by where you live and the seriousness of the infestation, but you can expect to pay between $500 and $4,000.
- The time it takes to remediate mold will depend on how much mold is present, where its growing in your home, and the type of material its growing on. Most mold remediation takes one to five days, but very serious cases of toxic mold can take weeks or months.
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Dealing With Mold In The Chicago Area We Can Help
Its important to always remember that DIY mold cleanup requires special precautions, so be careful before starting a project by yourself.
If you arent sure about the best course of action, ServiceMaster Restoration by Zaba offers inspections, testing and mold removal services for Chicago homes and businesses.
We want you to be safe, so just give us a call: 773-647-1985
How are mildew and mold different?
Mildew is a type of mold. However, not all molds are mildew. Mold grows on and into porous, organic materials. Mildew lives on hard surfaces like bathroom tile. Mildew is powdery and lighter in color than other molds.
Which is worse, mold or mildew?
Mold is more invasive than mildew. It grows quickly in drywall, wood and carpet making it very difficult to remove. Mildew doesnt penetrate surfaces, so its easier to eliminate.
Is mildew harmful to your health?
Mildew exposure can cause the same symptoms as mold exposure. Both microorganisms spread as airborne spores, so both are easily inhaled. Mildew allergy symptoms include congestion, watery eyes and respiratory problems.
Mold And Mildew With Food
Both mold and mildew can develop on foods. However, flowers are not very likely to develop mold. Mold and mildew can both develop in dry as well as wet areas. The key to their growth is not liquid or fluid but moisture content. Humidity can also lead to the growth of either or both.
There is no difference between mold and mildew when it comes to being conscious of them or to prevent them from thriving. Keeping areas dry and airy, fresh and well ventilated is the best way to prevent the growth of either or both. Neither mold nor mildew should be allowed to thrive and any food, fruit or area that has been affected by either mold or mildew or both should be attended to immediately.
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Price And Delivery Time
The cost of the best mold and mildew cleaner is a critical consideration during the purchasing process. However, although some best mold and mildew cleaner are pricey due to their quality or functionality, others are not. To avoid overcharging, it is essential to pay attention to these factors. In addition, the product’s arrival time is critical, and it should be as brief as possible.
Mildew Vs Mould: Know The Key Difference
The difference between the two is that mildew usually grows in a flat pattern and looks powdery and fluffy. They are in a white, grey and yellowish in colour that is lying in the moist area. They may turn black or brown if not removed on time.
On the other hand, mould is fuzzy and appears as irregularly shaped spots that are in different colours- green, blue, grey, black, yellow and white. Certain types of moulds can cause serious health problems. So, before treating them, make sure you identify the difference.
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Homemade Mold Removal Spray
Avoid toxic store-bought mold removers and make your own uncomplicated spray with affordable ingredients. Mix as much or as little mold remover as required for the amount of mold youre treating.
Combine the ingredients in a sprayer and shake well. Spray the area thoroughly, then scrape the molds top layer off immediately using a cloth or brush. Spray the area simply enough to dampen it, wait ten minutes, and use a clean, fresh rag to wipe it down.
Allow it to dry overnight without rinsing to eliminate any hidden mold. Use this separately from other mold removers. Do not keep unused spray since it stops working in two to three hours. Use adequate ventilation when spraying, and keep kids and pets out of the area.
How Do I Know Where The Mildew Smell Is Coming From
If you smell mildew, first check for visible leaks near water sources. Then search for signs of water damage such as discoloration or chipping paint which may indicate that the leak is inside a wall, ceiling, or floor. Once you find and repair the source of the leak, dry out the affected area completely.
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What Is The Appearance Of Mildew And Mold
Since mold and mildew are both part of the kingdom of fungi, they can appear similar. However, there are some differences that help distinguish the two. Mildew is powdery and downy in texture and appears as white or grey. Sometimes this white color may turn to yellow, blue or green. Depending on the time of mold, it can be fuzzy and in various colors including black, blue, green, or yellow. The way each fungus grows will also determine its appearance. As mentioned, mildew grows flat while mold grows as raised texture and expands outwards.
Why Mold Grows On Clothes
If you have clothes that are wet for more than 24 hours then mold can easily start to grow on them.
The most common reason mold grows on clothes is if you wash them and then leave them wet for a long time. After you wash your clothes you should dry them immediately. Drying clothes on the line in the sun is the best. And only put your clothes away once they are completely dry.
The same is true for clothes that are damp after you wear them. These need to be washed quickly or hung somewhere to air out. Make sure not to leave damp clothes in a wet pile or the hamper for days on end.
The other main reason that clothes grow mold on them is if the air in your home is too humid. Rooms where you store clothes need to be properly ventilated. Hanging clothes with some space between them in the closet or not packing them in too tightly together in drawers help the clothes air out when they are stored away.
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Removing Mold And Mildew
What do you do if your prevention steps arent enough, and you find mold and mildew growing in your home? Its possible to take care of the problem on your own.
First, make sure youtake steps to protect yourself.Verified SourceCenters for Disease Control and Prevention The United States health protection agency that defends against dangers to health and safety.View sourceWear equipment such as goggles, gloves, and masks to protect your face and skin. Keep air circulating while you work. Open all the doors and windows that you can, and use fans and dehumidifiers.
Remove all moldy items. Once mold starts growing in carpeting, on tiles, and in drywall and wallboard, the only recourse is to toss and replace it. Its important that you remove all mold before you cover up an infected area with paint or caulk.
You can kill mold on hard surfaces with commercial cleaners, white vinegar, or a bleach solution thats no more than a cup of bleach to a gallon of water. If you use bleach, make sure you have access to fresh air, wear protective gear, and dont mix the bleach with any other household cleaners.
Mold infections that take up less than 10 square feet can often be treated by yourself, but if you have a large-scale mold infestation, you may need to call a professional mold removal service.
How Can You Prevent And Treat Mold And Mildew In Your Home
Now that we have gone over how mold and mildew are different, you probably want to know how you can prevent and treat both in your home. Prevention is always the best method for keeping your family healthy and your home free of damage.
How can you prevent mold and mildew from growing?
- Keep all surfaces dryYour bathroom and kitchen are prone to damp surfaces. Keeping them dry will go a long way in preventing mold and mildew. Also, remember to leave your washing machine open between uses so it can air out.
- Use a dehumidifierTo prevent mold and mildew from growing, keep your home at an ideal humidity level .
- Change your air filters regularlyHVAC filters, as well as HEPA filters, are prone to growing mold and mildew. When you change them often, you are preventing this.
- Inspect for mold and mildew regularlyThe earlier you catch it, the easier it will be to treat.
- Keep the air in your home circulatingStagnant air traps humidity, which creates the perfect environment for mold and mildew to grow. Keep the air flowing in your home by opening windows and using fans.
- Use an indoor air purifierIndoor air purifiers like the Molekule device can remove mold spores from the air in your home, helping to prevent them from forming clusters and growing. The Molekule unit is especially a good choice for mold, because it will destroy it completely, leaving no risk for it to grow on the filter surface and be released back into the air.
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Mildew Vs Mold: What Are They And Whats The Difference
Mold and mildew may leave your house smelling musty or looking dirty. If you find either within your home, you will want to remove it through cleaning or replacing what it is growing on.
Most people have heard of, seen, or smelled mold or mildew but dont quite know the difference between the two. The terms mold and mildew are often used interchangeably and have a lot of similarities, but they are not the same. In this article, we will define each of them and explain the differences.
Can You Prevent Mildew Smell On Clothes
If you find your clothing is prone to mildew smells take preventative measures by using scented vinegar instead of fabric softener, and be careful not to add too much laundry detergent to your loads as it can cause buildup. Treating your bath towels to a vinegar wash and a baking soda wash once a month during humid summer months is also a great idea to prevent smells on your clothes.
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What Are The Differences In Appearance Between Mold Vs Mildew
One of the most important ways one can tell mold from mildew is how each fungus looks. Mildew is typically white, gray or yellow and grows on the surface of moist, warm areas. Its texture is fluffy or powdery. On the other hand, mold tends to be green or black, and it usually grows underneath the surface of anything that has gotten wet. Its texture can be fuzzy or slimy.
Recognizing The Signs Of Mold
The strong, foul smell is the clearest indicator that tiny inhabitants have taken over your clothes. There are, however, a few more hints to identify the presence of spores:
- Stains: Although mold is often green or black, some spores can show a red or orange color. The shade depends mainly on the molds nutrient source, region, or age .
- Allergies: Sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes when putting clothes on can also signify that foreign invaders are present .
- Skin rash: A reaction on your skin can occur when in direct contact with moldy clothes.
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How Hard Is It To Get Rid Of Mold Vs Mildew
Yet another difference of mold vs. mildew is how difficult it is to get rid of each fungus. With mildew, all it typically takes is a mildew cleaner and a good scrubbing brush. However, mold is not an issue that most people should be dealing with on their own. Mold removal is best left to professionals. That being said, it is possible to prevent mold without hiring anyone for the job, since there are mold prevention tactics to try.
Its also possible to buy bought mold and mildew prevention sprays at the store and online. In fact, Gold Eagle is a great source of such products, making it easy to prevent fungal growth after learning the basics on mold vs. mildew.
Why Test For Mold
Sometimes odours, stains and discoloration that you think are the results of mold can, in fact, be caused by smoke, dirt and debris, minerals or insects. Other times, symptoms you attribute to the common cold are actually caused by exposure to mold.
If you suspect that you have a mold problem, a mold test is the only way to get reliable answers to your worries. Only after professional testing will you be able to confirm the presence of mold and to move forward with remediation, which is absolutely crucial.
Remember, its not mold until its tested, so contact the mold experts at Mold Busters today to book your appointment!
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Special Care For Some Articles And Surfaces
Preventing mildew on clothing and household fabricsKeep fabrics dry. Never let clothing or other fabric articles lie around damp or wet. Dry soiled clothes before putting them into the hamper. Wash out dishcloths and hang them to dry. Spread out washcloths and damp towels. Stretch out wet shower curtains. It is the wet curtain left bunched together or sticking to the wall or tub that is most likely to mildew. Sprinkle only as many articles as can be ironed in a day. Shake out and dry those not ironed.
Dry washed garments and fabrics thoroughly and quickly. Fabrics dried slowly may get sour and musty smelling a sign of mold growth.
To help keep moisture out of clothing and household fabrics and thus make them less susceptible to mold growth, treat them with water-repellent sprays. Spray draperies, slipcovers, mattresses, overshoes and jackets and other outer garments.
Fungicide products that may be sprayed on fabrics to give them mildew protection are available in low-pressure aerosol containers. Some germicidal, mothproof and water-repellent sprays may also protect against mildew. Read labels on the container for information.
For adequate mildew protection, wet the surface of the fabric thoroughly with the spray. Unless the sprayed fabrics are kept in a closed container, they should be examined frequently and resprayed. For precautions, see Use of pesticides, including fungicides.
Paradichlorobenzene is also available in spray cans.
