How to get rid of mildew in your home
Mold and mildew can be the reason for causing the unpleasant smell in your home, damaging floors and walls, and even giving an invitation to health issues. It is crucial to know how to get rid of mildew for people who reside in humid areas. However, it’s no rocket science, and you will neither require expensive mold removal cleansers or cleaning equipment.
Everything that you need to keep mildew from returning is right there in your kitchen cabinet. We have listed down some handy tips and tricks that will help prevent mildew. Let’s get right into it without any further ado!
Easy to Find Mold Removal Products
Chlorine Bleach: Regular household bleach or Sodium hypochlorite works like wonder to wipe out the mold and get rid of any staining. However, this product is exceptionally harsh and must be diluted before you use it.
Warning! Never combine bleach with Ammonia because it causes hazardous fumes and toxicity.
Hydrogen Peroxide: 3-10% hydrogen peroxide solution is less harsh than chlorine bleach, and it helps eradicate mildew and reduce tough stains. It works more gradually than chlorine bleach but has almost no toxic residue or fumes, even though it has a bleaching effect.
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Baking Soda and Borax: Baking soda (Sodium bicarbonate) and borax contain high pH that prevents mold’s survival and growth. Both products are low-priced, easy to mix with water, and non-toxic. Borax works better to get rid of tough stains but not as efficiently as a powerful cleaning product.
When using any of these products, do not rinse away the cleaning solution thoroughly. Leaving a bit of the cleaner will help inhibit future mold growth.
Purified White Vinegar: Vinegar is known to be acidic, and it gradually and effectively breaks down the buildup mold and kills it.
White vinegar can be used safely without any extra ventilation. You can apply it to any surface, from bathroom tiles & fixtures, fabric, and furniture to plastic curtains, painted surfaces, and carpets.
For solid mold and mildew accumulations, use it in maximum strength. However, for not-so-tough stains, you can dilute the vinegar in the water. You can also avoid mildew from growing on the back of carpeting and rugs by misting over the bottom with full-strength vinegar from a spray bottle. Furthermore, there are approximately 90 vinegar hacks that can clean almost anything.
8 Useful Hacks to Remove Mildew
Mold usually occurs in the damp basements and humid areas around the house, including showers, basements, near cooling and heating appliances, carpets, crawl spaces, and even ventilation ducts.
To guard against mildew, ensure that there are no leaky areas or any other source of moisture in your house. Here are some other must-try tips to prevent mold growth!
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How to Get Rid of Mildew from Furniture
To avoid mold problems or powdery mildew from your furniture, you only require Ammonia and parts water. Make the mixture of 1 cup of Ammonia, 1 gallon of water, 1/4 cup baking soda, and 1/2 cup white vinegar.
You can clean any furniture using this mixture, be it picnic tables or wooden patio furniture. You only need to rinse it off thoroughly with the cloth towel piece to absorb the excess moisture.
In case your bamboo furniture has been affected by the growth of mildew, use the same mixture but with the solution of 2 tablespoons ammonia. Take an old toothbrush and clean all the twisted and turned places where you cannot reach easily. Rinse thoroughly and leave it to dry in an open area.
How to Get Rid of Mildew from Shower Curtains
The best option to clean mildew from your bathroom shower curtains is Chlorine. Put them in the washing machine, add warm water along with 2 bath towels. Add 1/4 cup laundry detergent with 1/2 cup chlorine bleach. Now, run the washer for a least 15 minutes.
Lastly, set the dryer at the lowest temperature for around 10 minutes, but the shower curtain and towels in, and hang dry right away.
Soak your shower mat for 3-4 hours in a mixture of ¼ cup chlorine bleach and a gallon of water. Wash it well.
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How to Get Rid of Mildew from Fabric
To eliminate mildew from furnishings and other fabrics, you don’t need vital mold removal. Just make a mixture of 1/2 cup dissolved borax with 2 cups warm water, soak them in it for a couple of hours. Now use the sponge to rub the affected areas until the stain disappears. Rinse well.
Use the same technique on your clothing, but to achieve satisfactory results, mix 2 cups of borax in 2 quarts of water and soak the garments in it.
How to Get Rid of Mildew from Your Bathroom
Nothing is more unpleasant than the musty smell and unattractive sight of the mildew in your bathroom. However, a bottle of hydrogen peroxide is an effective way to get rid of mold. Pour the peroxide directly on the offending areas, then wipe it clean.
To cut off mold and mildew between your bathroom tiles, mix an equivalent amount of water and chlorine bleach in a spray bottle, then spray it over the filling. Leave it for 15 minutes max, scour it with a firm brush and clean off.
How to Get Rid of Mildew from Outdoor Stains
Bleach can remove mold and mildew and stains off unpainted cement, patio or terrace stones, and stucco. Take two gallons of water and add a solution of 1 cup chlorine bleach.
Scrub briskly with a wire or stiff brush and rinse off. If any stains stay put, scour one more time using half-cup washing soda (sodium carbonate, not baking soda) dissolved in 2 gallons of hot water.
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How to Get Rid of Mildew from Painted Surfaces
As mentioned earlier, using bleach for painted sidings and surfaces is the most effective way. Make a mixture of 1/4 cup chlorine bleach in 2 ½ cups of water and spread over with a brush to moldy and mildewed areas. Let the solution set for over 15 minutes, then rinse off. Repeat the same procedure if required.
How to Get Rid of Mildew from Clothing
Wash away mold out of washable cloths. Wet the affected mildewed area and rub in some good quality detergent powder. Then wash the fabric in the warmest water setting approved by the clothing manufacturer using ½ cup chlorine bleach.
If the clothing can’t be rinsed in bleach and hot water, soak it in a fusion of 1/4 cup oxygen bleach in 1-gallon warm water for approximately 30 minutes before washing.
If Chlorine is not available, make a paste of salt and lemon juice, then rub it on the affected area. Dry the clothes in sunlight. Repeat the same method until the stain completely vanishes. This technique also works like magic for rust stains on garments as well.
In a Nutshell
It is pretty significant to deal with the mold issues in your home and stop them as soon as possible. Mold and mildew grow and spread with time. It doesn’t only smell bad but also causes health-related issues and damages your home’s interior.
