Home Remedy to Kill Mildew
Mildew is a kind of fungus, or mold. It is capable of reproducing (via airborne spores) and spreading rapidly. Mildew-infested items often smell musty. They may even rot and fall apart. Mildew is often a problem in damp locations, such as a basement. It can live on furniture, walls, paint and fabrics. While there are many products designed to kill mold available in the supermarket, you can also defend your home against mold by using a few simple household items. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Water
- Bleach
- Spray bottle
- Bleach fabric cleanser
- Vacuum
- Bucket
- Dishwashing detergent
- Cloth
Instructions
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Increase the air circulation in rooms that have a problem with mildew. According to The Natural Handyman, the room where mildew is most likely to thrive is the bathroom, due to the high humidity and warmer temperatures from shower steam. Run the bathroom's exhaust fan every time you shower and leave the door open afterwards. This will help slow the formation of mold.
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Kill existing mold on surfaces, such as walls. The Natural Handyman recommends mixing a solution of half water and half chlorine bleach. Pour this solution into a spray bottle and apply it to the mildew. Scrub the area and rinse it thoroughly.
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Take mildew-infested clothing and other fabrics outside. Good Housekeeping recommends brushing off loose spores, then applying a bleach cleanser to machine-washable fabrics. Launder the fabrics as usual. Fabric that is not machine washable should be rubbed with just a couple of drops of the bleach. After setting for a few minutes, the spot can then be scrubbed and rinsed.
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Clean furniture that has been subjected to a mildew infestation. Attach the soft brush of a vacuum attachment to the hose. Vacuum the furniture to get rid of any loose spores. Pour warm water into a bucket and add a few squirts of dishwashing detergent. Use a cloth to apply this solution to the furniture. Rinse and allow the furniture to dry.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit lichen image by Christopher Hall from Fotolia.com
