Although mildew is an unpleasant discovery in your bathroom, kitchen, or other rooms in your house, don’t panic. The cleaning pros at Molly Maid have a few tips to help you identify the difference between mildew and mold, including the best way to kill mildew using common household products!
How to Kill Powdery Mildew in No Time
White vinegar is a natural cleaning product that is excellent for many housekeeping tasks, including disinfecting high-touch surfaces like sinks and countertops. White vinegar is 90% effective in killing mildew and mold.
Use vinegar to kill mildew in just a few easy steps:
- Soak a sponge (or cloth) in white vinegar.
- Use the sponge to scrub and soak the affected area.
- Leave the area wet for a few hours.
- Continue cleaning until the mildew is gone.
- Rinse and allow the area to air-dry.
What Kills Mold and Mildew?
Other compounds also kill mildew. These are some of the most effective options:
- Bleach
- Tea tree oil
- Grapeseed oil
- White vinegar
In most cases, mildew can be cleaned and controlled with regular household cleaning supplies and chemicals. Mold, however, should always be addressed by a professional.
Related Topic: How to Freshen Up Mildewy Towels and Bath Mats
The Difference Between Mold and Mildew
Mold and mildew are often referred to as the same. However, you can identify mildew by its appearance as a powder that is usually white or grey. On the other hand, mold usually looks fuzzy and can appear in various colors, including green, red, blue, or black.
Both mold and mildew can cause health issues, but mold is considered the more dangerous household risk.
The Best Ways to Prevent Mildew
Preventing mildew is easy once you know what causes it. Mildew, like mold, thrives in dark, moist areas of your home. This means the two best ways to reduce mildew in certain areas are to introduce more light and to reduce moisture levels.
- Air it out. Whenever the weather and temperature allow, open your windows and use fans to cycle stale air and introduce fresh air. For moist rooms without windows, like a bathroom, use the overhead fan and try to keep the door open to allow humid air to escape.
- Lower humidity. Dark, dank basements are especially challenging areas to prevent mildew. Consider using a dehumidifier to lower basement humidity levels. Some dehumidifiers even have a timer setting that lets you run the unit during the day when humidity levels rise.
Keep Your Whole Home Clean with a Little Help
Dealing with mildew is just one way to maintain a clean and healthy home. Of course, there are many aspects to keeping your home clean and safe that require daily, weekly and monthly cleaning. If you would like some help, your local Molly Maid team is ready to pitch. We offer daily, weekly, monthly, and one-time professional cleaning services to help you manage the mess. To learn more, call us or request an estimate online today.
