How to Kill Mildew
Mildew is the visible sign of mold, often caused by moisture and common in kitchens and bathrooms. Mildew can cause health issues by irritating the lungs and provoking allergic reactions. There are a number of techniques and treatments for getting rid of surface mildew. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Brush
- Bleach
- Gloves
- Mask
- Dehumidifier
- Silica gel
- Chlorinated lime
- Fan
- Light bulb
- Laundry detergent
- Tea tree oil
- Spray bottle
- Grapefruit seed extract
- Vinegar
Instructions
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Process
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1
Scrub mold with a plastic hard bristles brush dipped in a mixture containing a little chlorine bleach and hot water. Be sure to wear rubber gloves and a mask when cleaning mold.
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2
Remove mold spores from indoor air using a dehumidifier. This will dry the air and make it difficult for mildew to thrive. Keep the air dry by placing silica gel packets safely in the area that contained the mildew. This should help keep the air dry. Silica gel works best in small areas.
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3
Sprinkle chlorinated lime or bleaching powder on damp and musty basement floors and allow the powder to absorb the smell and mold spores. When the smell disappears, brush the powder up and discard in an outside garbage can.
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4
Turn up the heat and open all the doors and windows. Use box fans to push the air from inside the house out of the windows. Hopefully, the mold and mildew spores will go with the air.
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5
Place strong watt light bulbs in areas where small amounts of mildew are present. The combination of light and heat will prevent the mildew from thriving.
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6
Wash mildew-laden fabrics in water with plenty of laundry detergent and a little bleach. Those fabric or porous items that are covered in mildew, even after washing, should be discarded permanently as they are a health hazard.
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7
Place 10 drops of tea tree essential oil into a spray bottle filled with tap water. Spray onto the mildew and leave to set. The smell of the tea tree will slowly dissipate as the mildew is destroyed.
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8
Combine 30 drops of grapefruit seed extract with a spray bottled filled with tap water and spray onto the mold. Allow to set. The grapefruit extract has no odor.
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9
Pour white vinegar into a spray bottle and spray undiluted onto the mildew spores. Left alone, the vinegar will act like bleach and kill the most or all of the mold. The smell is very strong, so open windows or otherwise ventilate the area for a few hours until the odor goes away.
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Tips & Warnings
Prevent mildew from returning by fixing the cause of the mold. Often this is a moisture or condensation issue, leaky pipe or ventilation issue.
NEVER mix chemicals! This can lead to dangerous and toxic gases. Do not mix vinegar with bleach or with any other chlorinated product.
