by Jonte Rhodes

Created on: February 20, 2008

Mildew is a commonly occurring mold that we all get in our houses from time to time. It is caused by damp conditions and for this reason it is usually found in bathrooms. The reasons for this are that steam and moisture tends to build up when people bathe or shower, and often without proper ventilation to dry out the walls and bath properly afterwords.

Mildew and other forms of mold other then being an eyesore can also be a health hazard as well. Some people are allergic to them and can have serious reactions to being in a room with them for too long. Also people with respiratory problems such as asthma can be badly affected when they breathe the spores of mildew in.

Mildew most commonly occurs on window ledges, on wallpapered walls and on the edges of baths. Windows tend to be the easiest to clean because the plastic and glass that most windows are made of materials resistant to anything you might be using to clean the mildew away. Baths are similarly hardy in terms of chemical resistance, but walls tend to be a lot more delicate. Wallpapered and even painted walls can be difficult to clean, and should be approached with caution as they can react with harsh cleaning products.

There are several ways to remove them that all have varying degrees of success. The first and most expensive remedy to the mildew problem is to hire a professional trained to remove mold from the home. This can run into hundreds and involve removing portions of walls or timbers. However it is undoubtedly the best way to permanently remove the problem completely, especially in severe cases. It is only completely necessary in cases where the mold is severs or recurring over and over again.

To remove mildew in most cases the application of a strong bleach can be the easiest way to remove it. Bleach will kill any mildew that it comes into contact with, and even stop it growing back in the same spot for a number of weeks. There are of course different brands and similar products that will also be effective, although the branded bleaches all tend to be as successful as each other.

Other strong cleaning products will also kill mildew with ease, such as strong kitchen or bathroom stain removers. The only time to be wary of this method is when applying to wallpapers, as it can bleach the color from the paper, and even cause it to come unstuck.

To make sure that the mildew doesn't come back the best method is to install a ventilation system into the room affected. A ceiling vent or even keeping a window ajar if possible can be the difference between a pristine bathroom and horribly stained and ruined walls and surfaces.

Learn more about this author, Jonte Rhodes.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.