How to Live With an Allergy to Mildew

Mildew is caused by a variety of fungi and usually appears in damp places. Allergies to mildew are usually respiratory, and can range from mild to quite severe.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Denatured Alcohol
• Dehumidifiers
• Fans
• Hygrometers
• White Vinegar
• Primers And Sealers
• Bath Exhaust Fans

1. Maintain indoor humidity levels below 45 percent. Mildew needs humidity to thrive.
2. Reduce humidity with an air conditioner, and measure levels in your home with a hygrometer.
3. Use a dehumidifier to reduce humidity levels.
4. Clean air conditioner and dehumidifier vents daily, and change filters frequently.
5. Keep your house well ventilated at all times. Air and sun are your best weapons against mildew.
6. Opt for a home that has windows in the bathroom. Keep windows open slightly both during and right after taking a shower.
7. Ventilate the bathroom using a fan, and/or use a heat lamp to help dry up moisture if having a window is not possible.
8. Avoid heavy carpeting and wallpaper. Both collect mildew.
9. Pull up carpets if possible, and replace with tiles or hardwood flooring, or any other type of smooth surface.
10. Treat walls with an anti-mold/mildew primer if you want to hang wallpaper. This will help prevent any fungus from growing under the wallpaper. Avoid fabric or heavily textured wallpaper.
11. Use oil-based paint rather than water-based when painting your house. Oil-based paints seem to attract less mildew.
12. Eliminate or reduce the number of plants inside your house. They increase humidity levels.
13. Fix leaky pipes, broken underground drainage systems, and other sources of water leakage.
14. Put a low-wattage bulb in dark closets. Leave it burning at all times to reduce mildew growth.
15. Store out-of-season clothing in airtight plastic bags. Products that vacuum-seal are now available.
16. Clean mildewed rugs with a rug shampoo or any sudsy soap solution. Remove soap by wiping with a wet cloth. Dry in sun if possible.
17. Remove mildew from furniture with soap and water, or use a diluted alcohol solution.
18. Wash your shower curtain every week or so - or use a mildew-resistant liner.
19. Add a supplement of vitamin C with bioflavonoids to your diet - 1,000 to 5,000 mg per day in divided doses. It helps your body cope with allergens and decreases inflammation.
20. Use 500mg quercetin twice daily. It helps reduce allergic reactions and supports the immune system.
21. Wear a surgical mask while you clean mildew if you are very allergic. Take frequent breaks.

Tips & Warnings

• Unfinished basements are a prime source of mildew. If at all possible, cover the dirt with concrete. Keep basements dry and well ventilated to reduce mildew growth. If necessary, have the area professionally treated.
• Avoid using commercial mildew removers in your bathroom. They are very toxic, and breathing in the fumes can be worse for your lungs than the mildew itself. Instead, use solutions of borax and water or vinegar and water, or buy one of the nontoxic mildew removers that are sold at health food stores.
• Clean the bathroom tiles frequently.
• See a doctor if you are having symptoms such as chest tightness, continuous coughing and/or choking, wheezing, or feeling like you are short of breath. You may need an inhaler or another type of medication while you get the mildew under control.