Mold Issues -

How to Tell the Difference Between Mold and Mildew?

The easiest way to tell the difference between mold and mildew is by the color.

Mildew is usually gray or white while mold ranges from green to yellow to black.

What does mildew look like?

Mildew is usually described as being powdery or fluffy and growing in a flat pattern. It is distinguishable from mold in that mold is usually slimy with fuzz growing on it. Mildew can be so subtle that it can be mistaken as a wall or surface that just looks dirty.

What is mildew?

Mildew is a type of mold in that it is basically mold that hasn’t fully developed yet.

And because it is in this early stage, it appears more like a white powdery substance on top of a surface.

It’s common to find mildew in the shower or shower curtain.

Because it is usually found on the surface when it is in the home, cleaning it is much easier and can usually be done with a household cleaner and a brush.

Is bleach or vinegar better to kill mold?

Both bleach and vinegar are known to be able to kill mold and mildew but vinegar the better choice because it is able to penetrate mold deeper and get down “to the root. Whereas bleach will only clean the surface.

Killing mold with vinegar and hydrogen peroxide?

Killing mold with vinegar and hydrogen peroxide is more effective than using bleach. Both peroxide and white vinegar are disinfectants that can get down below the surface.

There is one caveat to using both hydrogen peroxide and vinegar to kill mold and that is, you should never mix the two. When they are mixed, they can create peracetic acid, which is a irritant to your eyes and skin and potentially your respiratory system.

If you’re going to use this method, spray the hydrogen peroxide on the mold and give it about a minute before you spray the vinegar on it.

Does vinegar kill mildew?

Vinegar is hands-down the best all natural way to kill mildew. A easy 2 to 1 ratio of vinegar to water in a spray bottle will kill the mildew and your shower and disinfect it.
The process takes approximately one hour. Spray your white vinegar and water directly on the mildew, give it at least one hour, then wipe it off.

Can mildew make you sick?

Mildew is mold. And though it may not be as threatening as a full-blown case of mold growth, mildew still has the capacity to make you feel ill let and trigger allergies.

Some of the symptoms that are related to mold and mildew are:

Sneezing
Coughing
Itchy eyes
Running news
Stuffy nose
Watery eyes
Fatigue

Mold spores are also linked to asthma.

How do you know it’s mold that’s making you sick?

The easiest way to figure out if it’s mold making you sick is to remove yourself from the area where the mold is noticeable.

If you find that you are experiencing symptoms when you are in a certain room, then you may be having an adverse reaction to mold spores in the air.

Is mildew dangerous?

In the same way that mildew is considered a lesser form of mode, the effects that mildew can have on your health or also considered lesser.
But mildew is a fungus and persons with compromised immune systems or pre-existing conditions like asthma should certainly view mildew as a hazard.

Black mildew?

Mildew can be considered a light version of mold. Mildew is typically a white powdery looking mild mold growth. Mold on the other hand can appear black and usually does have some kind of black or dark green color about it.

What does mildew smell like?

Musty. Musty is defined as smelling moldy. Well that’s helpful…

The smell of mildew is reminiscent to rotting wood or stinky socks. It is a stale damp, decaying odor. One that is usually easily noticeable but hard to describe.

The smell of mildew compared to the smell of mold is much less noticeable than mold.

The intensity of the musty smell associated with mold and mildew is also a good way to distinguish whether you have mold for mildew.

Recap

What is the difference between mildew and mold.

Mold and mildew are in the same family much the way that a son and father all related.

Mildew is mold that has not developed fully yet.

The easiest way to tell the difference between mildew and mold is the color.
Mildew is usually White or gray while mold has advanced into deeper darker colors black black, green, yellow and red.

Another way that you can tell the difference between mildew and mold is that mold smells much stronger than mildew.

Another difference between mold and mildew is the ease in which mildew is removed compared to mold.

White vinegar is the weapon of choice when removing mildew from areas like your shower and shower curtain. Using a easy 2 to 1 vinegar to water solution, simply spray it directly onto the mildew.
Give it about an hour then wipe it off.

If you want to take the disinfecting route a little further, spray the white vinegar solution, give it a couple of minutes, then spray hydrogen peroxide solution directly on the mildew.

Wait for approximately an hour, then wipe it clean.

Other differences between mildew and mold are the symptoms that you can experience related to mold spore exposure.

Just like the other differences between mildew and mold, the symptoms that mildew can cause, like headaches, sneezing, fatigue, the and itchy eyes,
are not typically anywhere near the level of intensity that having a mold allergy attack can cause.

But there are always exceptions to the rule. If you are susceptible to mold spore allergies or if you have a weakened immune system or other pre-existing conditions. Then you should treat exposure to mildew no less than you would being exposed to mold.

Air Purifier or Dehumidifier For Mold?

Though mold and fungus maybe very beneficial as a decomposing agents in our environment, we certainly do not need their decomposing properties in our homes.

Mold can rot the structure of your home along with your carpet and wood work.

And it can also be the source for all types of respiratory issues and allergies.

Two of the most popular devices to help combat mold in the home and dehumidifiers and air purifiers.

Though they have two different functions, they both are able to tackle mold in their own way.

So which one is better?

An air purifier or dehumidifier for mold?

A dehumidifier has an advantage over an air purifier for mold because it can eliminate the source of mold which is humidity. Mold must already be present for an air purifier to be useful.

In other words, by eliminating humidity with a dehumidifier you can stop mold from growing before there becomes a need for an air purifier.

The function of a dehumidifier is to reduce the moisture in the air.

The function of an air purifier is to filter contaminants out of the air.

Many airborne contaminants like mold spores and dust mites need a high level of humidity to flourish. Humidity is their nourishment.

A dehumidifier can take the humidity out of the air, thereby taking away the nourishment for mold to grow and dust mites to thrive.

If mold is already present, a dehumidifier can help it from spreading further but an air purifier will be needed to eliminate mold spores from the ambient air. (The air you breathe)

Also if mold already exists, it will have to be cleaned up. Cleaning it up can disturb it and kick up mold spores into the air, once again creating a need for an air cleaner.

So as you can see, an air purifier and a dehumidifier work well hand-in-hand.

But…

Although a dehumidifier may have the advantage over an air purifier for mold during the hot muggy months,

It is not as useful in the cooler months and does not help to combat mold spores when the source of mold and fungi is not high climate humidity.

Winter comes with many mold abatement issues as well.

Melting ice combined with heated indoor air create an excellent breeding ground for mold.

Even though the indoor humidity may be very low, opportunities for mold to flourish can be abundant.

Air purifier vs. Dehumidifier for mold in the winter.

Most dehumidifiers need the temperature to be at least 60 degrees before they work properly.

That creates little use in the winter months for a dehumidifier.

An purifier on the other hand is useful for removing mold spores from the air all year long.

Eliminating the moisture out of the air to combat mold is only one weapon.

Other sources of mold can come in the form of cracked or leaky pipes and poorly sealed windows.

Another source for mold in the air is the HVAC central heat and air unit.

Because of the environment inside of the HVAC housing,

namely the condensation from the air conditioning coils combined with the lack of light,

Mold can form inside of the ductwork and become an indoor air pollution issue whenever the unit kicks on.

Because the source is easily identified as being the cooling coils and the drip pan.

UV lights can be mounted and targeted on the mold and mildew producing areas to keep mold from becoming an issue.

Indoor air purifiers can also replaced in the ductwork.

Induct Air purification technologies like photo catalytic oxidation are very effective at reducing mold.

By placing photocatalytic oxidation air purifiers inside of the ductwork of your central heat and air unit,

you can effectively turn your heat and air into a whole house air purifier that will not only reduce mold spores in the air, will also stop mold at the source before it becomes a problem.

In climates where humidity does not take a break in the fall or spring,

Whole house Dehumidifiers can be installed to work with the existing HVAC ductwork to reduce the humidity in the whole house.

Whole house dehumidifiers have a few distinct advantages over stand-alone dehumidifiers.

You don’t have to keep emptying the bucket. The condensate is piped to outside of the house.
The heat from the dehumidifier is kept in the Attic instead of being pumped into the room where you’re standing alone dehumidifier would be sitting.
They work for every room where there is ductwork ran.

Unfortunately it’s the basement that doesn’t have ductwork ran into it many times.

The typical basement is moist and the air quality is abysmal.

The basement is another area where a dehumidifier and an air purifier are needed to work hand-in-hand.

You can run an air purifier 24/7 in the basement to make the air breathable but until you do something to dry up the moisture, you’ll have a continual air quality problem in the basement.

That’s where the dehumidifier comes in. After ensuring that there is no broken or leaking pipes, running a dehumidifier in the basement to stop the source of mold spores and then running an air purifier to filter the existing mold spores,

You can make your basement and much more inhabitable spot in the house.

Conclusion

A dehumidifier can prevent mold before there is ever a need for an air purifier.

But when mold already exists, though a dehumidifier can slow its growth,

An air purifier is needed to reduce mold spore allergens from the air.

Also the presence of mold means that mold cleanup will be needed.

Disturbing mold can kick up mold spores in the air, again warranting the need of an air purifier.

But once the mold is removed and the air is filtered,

A dehumidifier will reduce the moisture in the air and help starve and stop any mold and fungi regrowth.

Dehumidifiers and air purifiers also come in whole house units that can be installed using the HVAC ductwork.

The added expense can be worth the benefits that come along with whole house dehumidification and air purification.

Our Top 6 Gutter Cleaning Hacks

As the seasons change, it’s time to take care of the home and undo the damage of the last season. One task that you may have to do – as much as you don’t want to – is cleaning out the gutters.

Never overlook the importance of clean gutters.

There are a number of reasons that you should keep them clean, including preventing flooding, roof damage, and more. A dirty gutter is also a potent source of mold. Mold thrives in moist conditions like a clogged gutter. It’s important that you get your gutters cleared out regularly, even if you have to do it yourself.

The good news is that keeping utters clean doesn’t have to be as tough as you think it is. There are lots of ways to make the process faster and safer. Here are six of the very best gutter cleaning hacks to help you get through this arduous chore.

Rain Gutter Cleaner

The rain gutter cleaner is a great way to keep your gutters clean without having to invest a lot of time or money. What’s so great about the rain gutter is that it is a perfectly safe way to keep gutters clean. Anyone who has climbed up their ladder and tried to hand remove leaves understands how nasty – not to mention dangerous – it can be. The Rain Gutter Cleaner uses water to keep gutters clean. It costs around $10 to set up your own Rain Gutter Cleaner, so consider getting one of your own installed.

Extendable Gutter Cleaning Wands

This is a hose attachment that works wonders for keeping gutters clean. It turns your hose into a pressure washer, putting out enough pressure to keep leaves out of a gutter. It also has a number of other uses including cleaning the car. There’s nothing quite like a multi-purpose tool. After all, the more a tool can do, the more likely you are to want to invest in it!

Gutter Wedges

While you can invest in a gutter guard system, they tend to cost in the thousands. That’s a lot of money for something like keeping gutters clean. There’s no point in spending that kind of money when you can just invest in a more cost-effective solution like the Gutter Wedge. It features a patented flow-through design that makes leaves and other debris flow up and away from the downspout opening. This keeps the gutter clear to allow rainwater to quickly and efficiently be drained. Best of all, it takes just a few minutes to set up and install.

Get Some New Tools

There are lots of other tools out there that are designed to make gutter cleaning easier. One of the best is the “GutterTongs”. They perform pretty much as you would expect with a name like that. They work with any type of gutter, removing the need to climb a ladder by scooping leaves out of a gutter with the same type of tongs that you would use to toss a salad – if salad tongs were 12 feet long. You can also use the GutterTongs to hold your hose and give gutters a thorough cleaning after removing the debris. Another great tool for gutter cleaning is cultivators. These are particularly useful for people who live in single-story homes as they reach up to six feet and are effective for removing leaves from gutters.

Blow Them Away

You may already be familiar with leaf blowers. They are great tools for collecting leaves in the garden. Have you ever considered using your leaf blower to clear the leaves out of your gutter? If you haven’t, then you should. There is a trick to it of course; you have to extend the reach of the leaf blower beyond its typical length. You can find an attachment for doing just that at most local home centers. Or you can just get some basic plumbing supplies and put your own together. If you don’t have a leaf blower then you’d be surprised at what a vacuum can do if you turn suction tool into a blower. The downside of these approaches are that while the air could eliminate leaves and twigs, it isn’t able to get rid of any decomposing organic material or dirt that has gotten lodged in. Also keep in mind that you will generally need a ladder to access the gutters in a multi-story home. It can be dangerous for anyone to scale an extension ladder no matter who they are. Doing that while holding a leaf blower? Well, that’s just asking for trouble. So please don’t do it, for your own safety.

Old Fashioned Climbing and Cleaning

If all else fails and you find there some backup or clog that could only be eliminated manually, then you should still be smart about it. The first thing to do is ensure that your ladder is safe and sturdy enough for you to climb properly. After climbing up and reaching the clog, you want to use a scoop or other household tool to increase your reach and clear out the clog. A really surprising tool that can help out a lot here is a simple spatula. Just make sure you clean it off before using it in the kitchen again!

Summary

Now you know all about cleaning gutters with all of the best gutter cleaning hacks around, what’s stopping you from making use of them? Your gutters, house foundation, landscaping, and even your health will thank you for keeping your gutters clean. It’s a surprisingly simple piece of home maintenance most people overlook. Don’t be one of those people!