Very few American homes are entirely free of mold or mildew. Mold spores tend to be present nearly everywhere, and mold plays a critical role in the environment. However, mold can also be a nuisance or even a health hazard in the home. At a minimum, mold and mildew growing in a bathroom is often an unsightly and embarrassing problem.
Understanding how mildew works, why you have it in your bathroom, and what you can do to remove and prevent it can help make your home a cleaner and more pleasant place to spend time.
Mold vs. Mildew—Is There a Difference?
Most people recognize mildew as a common household concern but not a major source of worry. However, mold can often raise eyebrows much more quickly. Despite these perceptions, there's no real difference between mold and mildew. Mildew is a common term for various mold species typically found in residential settings, especially in moist locations such as bathrooms.
Generally, the species that most people call mold are not harmful, although they can cause unpleasant odors, and some people may have minor allergies to mildew. However, it's also challenging to identify different mold species if you aren't an expert. While it's unlikely mildew in your bathroom is causing any long-term harm, that doesn't mean you should ignore it.
Why Does Mildew Form in Your Bathroom?
Mold belongs to the larger kingdom, Fungi, which also includes mushrooms. Like mushrooms, molds reproduce using spores, which act like tiny seeds. However, unlike seeds, mold spores are so small that they're almost invisible and can float on tiny drafts. Like pollen, mold spores can trigger allergies and, in the case of some molds, much more severe symptoms.
Unfortunately, spores are so tiny that they're ubiquitous and impossible to keep out of homes. Instead, mold prevention relies on preventing the spores from taking root and forming colonies. Since moisture is often the missing ingredient for mold spores, you can most commonly find them in bathrooms. Consistently moist environments, such as shower tiles or under sinks, are common locations.
What Should You Do About Mildew?
If you have a minor mildew problem in your home, your best option is cleaning and management. Bleach will remove mold, although vinegar can be an effective solution if you prefer to avoid bleach. You can manage the problem by reducing moisture in the area in the future, such as by allowing showers to dry out and running bathroom vent fans for longer.
However, you should always consider calling a professional for more severe mildew or mold problems. Don't rely on home remedies if you have a significant mold infestation covering drywall, you can't identify the source of a moldy smell, or you're suffering from severe allergies or other symptoms. A professional mold removal service will be necessary in these cases to resolve the issue.
For more information about home mildew prevention and removal, contact a local company.
Share27 October 2022
My name is Angie, and welcome to my blog about sanitation and hygienic practices. Proper sanitation measures are very important so that individuals don't become ill due to diseases that can be contracted through unsafe and unsanitary conditions. I frequently give speeches in and around my city about proper sanitation measures and how sanitation can be improved. I wanted to be able to reach more people, so I decided to write this blog. While reading these articles you'll learn about many aspects of sanitation, including solutions, technologies and management. I hope that when you read my blog, you'll discover the importance of sanitation and how the proper methods can keep you and your family safe.