Mold and mildew are two words that people often interchange with one another. They are used to describe the growth of fungi on organic material, but they have some key differences. Both can be harmful to your health if you come into contact with them or breathe in spores they release into the air, but they require different approaches. Here’s what you need to know about mold vs. mildew.
What Is Mold?
Mold is a type of fungus that grows in moist, damp places. It thrives on organic material with weakened cell walls to break down and absorb nutrients from its surroundings. Mold can grow practically anywhere indoors where there’s plenty of moisture, including concrete, wood floors, drywall or sheetrock, countertops, or tiles made of stone or cement, fabrics like carpeting, and upholstery materials.
What Is Mildew?
What’s the difference between mold and mildew? Like mold spores floating through the air see an opportunity to attach themselves to surfaces, they come into contact with when it gets wet enough for them to flourish in your home. They smell musty but usually don’t release harmful toxins unless you breathe in their spores, which cause infections similar to other fungal diseases such as Valley Fever and Ringworm.
How to Get Rid of Mold and Mildew?
Both types of fungi can be removed with a gentle scrubbing action using soap, water, and elbow grease to strip away the spores attached to surfaces so they don’t spread or grow back. You may need special tools like brushes or mops if mold has grown into porous areas such as drywall which you cannot clean by hand.
For fabrics like drapes and carpeting that hold on to mildew smells even after cleaning, try adding some baking soda for more thorough deodorizing power before laundering them again in hot water since cold washing won’t remove stubborn odors caused by mildew residue left behind on fibers.
Is DIY Mold and Mildew Cleaning Safe?
If you are worried about the safety of cleaning mold and mildew yourself, don’t! Instead, turn to the professionals at Mold-B-Gone for mold cleaning services in Atlanta. We have the experience and know-how to safely remove these harmful fungi from your home without exposing you or your family members to dangerous spores. Contact us today for a consultation or to learn more about the processes and cleaning solutions we use!
Ready to learn more? Read: Top 10 Reasons You Need to Be Aware of Mold!