How to Get Rid of Mildew Stains

In our race against dirt and stains, we may encounter several kinds of mildew on many different surfaces of the house. They can be molds, fungi, algae, rusts, yeasts, and bacteria. The kind that shows up inside our houses is usually a thin, black (sometimes white) stuff produced by mold. Molds commonly develop in humid temperature, hence cellars, crawl spaces, closets and closed houses are ideal areas for it. It can also be found on shower curtains, rugs, damp cotton, linen, rayon, silk, wool, leather, wood, and paper. As the molds grow, they tend to cause considerable damage to the material, leaving a musty odor and discoloration. They can even eat into certain types of materials to cause irreversible damage onto the surface.

Preventing the Growth of Mildew

There is nothing more frustrating than opening your closet and finding your shirts full of molds and mildews hanging onto them. The best way to get rid of mildew is to prevent them from setting in, otherwise they can grow and cause stains faster than you can remove them. Here are some simple strategies to prevent the growth of mildew from your closet and on any other damp and dark surfaces of your house.

• Make sure that your closets, dresser drawers and basements are as clean as possible.
• Clean your kitchen all the time to prevent greasy deposits that contain many nutrients for mildew-causing molds.
• Thoroughly clean all soiled fabrics, regardless of the fiber type. Keep in mind that soil may supply food that supports mold growth.
• Moistened surfaces are a ground for mildew to break in. Therefore you have to dry any damp fabrics before hanging them on your closet. You can also store them with moisture inhibitors or spray them with fungicidal products to fight mildew. Spray draperies, overshoes, mattresses and other outer garments.
• Also, avoid leaving the shower curtain bunched up in the corner.
• Make sure that your drainage is adequate to prevent excessive moisture on your surroundings.
• You may need to install dehumidifiers to deny mildew the moistures necessary for germination, preferably keeping the humidity between 45% and 55%. You may also need to install an exhaust fan to force out the moisture-laden air.
• Maintain a temperature between 64 and 68 degrees F. In rooms that are not air-conditioned, mechanical dehumidifiers are useful.
• When building a new house, make use of mildew-resistant paint on wood whenever possible.

Removing Mildew from Clothing and Household Fabrics

Attack the mildew as soon as you discover it. Intercept the chance of mildew to eat out or rot the material. When cleaning the fabric, brush off the mildew outdoor so you do not spread more spores inside the house. For persistent mildew spots, wash them with detergent and water. Rinse the articles well and dry in the sun. For more stubborn mildew stains, you can moisten the spot with some lemon juice and spread some salt onto it and then allow the article to dry under the sun before rinsing thoroughly. If you use bleach, make sure you test the fabric for colorfastness before treating the mildew stains.

Removing Mildew from Leather Goods

To get rid of mildew from leather goods, use a cloth dampened with diluted alcohol. Try mixing 1 cup of water into 1 cup of rubbing alcohol and then wipe the surface that is covered with mildew. For persistent stains, use a mild detergent or a fungicidal soap and then wipe the surface with a damp cloth. Allow it to dry in a well-aired room and follow up with a good polishing of shoe wax.

Removing Mildew from Upholstery, Mattresses and Rugs

Brush with a broom any loose mold from outer coverings of your furnishings. Do this outdoor to prevent scattering of mildew spores inside the house. Vacuum the remaining residue as much as possible and then conveniently dry the item using an electric heater and a fan. Unfortunately, you will need to hire the services of professional cleaners if mildew is embedded into cushions and mattresses. For carpets and rugs, you can remove mildew with dry soap and a damp cloth, or an electric shampoo machine. You can also use a low-pressure spray containing a fungicide to remove mildew.

Removing Mildew from Basements, Tiled Walls, and Bathroom Caulk and Floors

To get rid of mildew on basements, sprinkle chlorinated lime over the floor and then allow it to sit in until the musty mildew odors disappear. Ventilate to air out the smell. When working on tiled walls and bathroom caulk and floors, use a diluted solution of chlorine bleach or sodium hypochlorite (1 cup of bleach to a gallon of water). Scrub them on the surface and then rinse with clean water. Wipe the treated area with clean cloth as dry as possible. Keep proper ventilation while working and until the surfaces are thoroughly dry as bleach fumes are harmful.

Removing Mildew from Wood

To clean mildewed wood surfaces, scrub them with a mild alkali such as washing soda or trisodium phosphate, or with disinfectants like pentachlorophenate or a quaternary disinfectant. Rinse the wood thoroughly with clean water and allow it to dry before applying a mildew-resistant paint. For painted or varnished wood that has been infected with mildew, remove the coating off of the stained areas and then scrub using a solution containing 8 to 10 tablespoons of trisodium phosphate and 1 cup of household chlorine bleach to a gallon of water. For more stubborn mildew stains, you can use 3 tablespoons to 1 pint of water instead. After treatment, rinse the surface with clean water and allow it to dry before refurbishing. Unfortunately, badly infected wood may need to be replaced.

If you find evidence of mildew growth whether indoor or outdoor, make sure to address the problem immediately. Other household products that can remedy the bacteria and fan out the musty odor caused by mildew include white vinegar, bleach and baking soda. If you cannot attack the problem yourself, seek professional help instead.