Eliminating Mildew (1205)

If you have mildew on clothing, textile furnishings or in your bathroom or basement, the following information may help you remove it and prevent mildew from recurring.

A mold that grows under warm, moist conditions, mildew also thrives in poorly lit areas with little air circulation. It grows on natural fibers, soiled items, paper, wood, paint, and glue. Mildew may discolor and decompose some materials in a week or two. It is usually black, but may look red, brown or green. Musty odors tell you the area has mildew spores. To prevent mildew, keep your home dry and clean.

For upholstery, mattresses and rugs, first remove any dry, loose mold by vacuuming or brushing. Do this out-of-doors when possible to avoid scattering mold spores in the house. Dispose of the vacuum bag or empty it carefully. Then shampoo rugs and carpets. Dry them fast-preferably in the sun. Sometimes moisture from the floor under carpets causes them to mildew. If so, you may need to remove the carpet and pad to determine and correct the problem.

Wipe upholstery and mattresses with a solution of one cup denatured or rubbing alcohol to one cup of water. Before you use alcohol on upholstery, test the solution to be sure it does not affect the color. If mold has grown in the padding under the cover, send the item to an exterminating and fumigating service or a pest control service.

To destroy mildew spores and remove stains from concrete and from tile and plaster bathroom surfaces, try washing with a solution of about ¾ of a cup of chlorine bleach to one gallon of water. Wear rubber gloves. If necessary, use a stronger solution of one cup of bleach, two cups of water and one teaspoon of liquid detergent on stubborn areas. Soak a pad of paper towels in this solution and apply to discolored areas. Leave for 15 to 30 minutes. Scrub stained tile grout with an old toothbrush.

Let the surface dry. Then rinse with plenty of water and wipe dry. If you can wash shower curtains by machine, add chlorine bleach to wash water according to instructions on the bleach bottle. Use a warm rinse for plastics, and hang while still warm so wrinkles can fall out.

Chlorine bleach works well, is inexpensive and readily available. But use as little as possible to accomplish your task. To disinfect surfaces, you only need one tablespoon per gallon of water. You'll need more to bleach out stains.

For more information on this subject, Please visit the College of Agricultural Sciences Publications Web site.

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