What is mildew?
It is the bane of
shower curtains everywhere, a disgusting creeping mess that thrives in
warmth and humidity, which causes plenty of damage to the material on which
it grows. It is a substance so
pesky that Krusty the Clown broke off a dinner with Bart Simpson to scrub it
away from his bathroom. This
resilient growth is known as mildew, a black or white filmy residue left
behind when mold invades your home or workplace.
Mildew is always a by-product of mold infestation, but not all mold
will leave mildew behind. The
particular molds that are responsible for mildew formation are the kinds
that enjoy moisture and balmy temperatures, and commonly strike during the
summer, when the humid weather makes for an ideal habitat for them to
flourish. This is especially
true of closed houses, which help to maintain these perfect mildew breeding
conditions, due to the lack of air circulation.
Mildew forms quickly in poorly lit areas, as well.
Mildew develops on a
considerable variety of surfaces and materials, which include paper,
leather, wood and various types of cloth, such as cotton, linen and silk.
Synthetic fibers, however, like nylon and polyester, resist mildew,
not being made of the organic elements that mold can and will digest.
As the mildew spreads on the affected area, it eventually causes the
disintegration of the material, as it slowly gets damaged by being eaten
away. Mildew leaves a musty odor
behind and discolors the objects that it does not outright destroy.
Dealing with mildew is
a multiple-step process that begins with keeping clean any place where
mildew could strike. This
includes basement areas, drawers and other locations that are susceptible to
the accumulation of dirt and moisture.
A little dirt may be all the food that mildew needs to start growing
once the proper environmental conditions have been established.
The next step is to control dampness, as sufficient moisture is
needed for mildew to begin cultivating.
Moisture buildup in a particular area means that repairs may have to
be made, or that the existing insulation is not enough to stave off outside
moisture. One may also wish to
check the house drainage system to make sure that water has adequate exit
points from the house interior.
For those who have to deal with crawl spaces beneath their houses, it would
be prudent to pick up some moisture-barrier material and spread a layer of
it over the soil – plastic film or roofing paper work fine.
Make sure your home
gets sufficient air circulation, which is integral to keeping moisture from
collecting in parts of your house.
Good ventilation carries dampness out of your house and into the
atmosphere. If the wind isn’t
enough to do the trick, you can always use electric fans, set in a position
to blast air from the house.
Certain chemicals, like silica gel, are also good for absorbing moisture,
though they may be a bit harder to get your hands on.
A little vigilance goes a long way in keeping mildew out of your life
and property.
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