Mold and mildew are always unwelcome guests. Unfortunately, they’re a part of life and bound to show up somewhere, usually in our bathrooms – especially our showers, tiles and tubs.
Mold and mildew are tenacious survivors that don’t need much to thrive. All mold needs is:
- A source of moisture
- A place to grow
- A food source
These criteria are found easily enough due to humidifiers, leaky roofs, flooding, damp basements, plumbing leaks and poorly ventilated bathrooms. We’re all exposed to various forms of mold and mildew every day of our lives, but left unchecked, certain breeding grounds in our homes can create levels that can endanger our health, especially if you’re elderly, asthmatic, an infant, or have a weakened immune system. The best thing to do is discover why certain areas are growing mold, fix the problem and eliminate the mold and mildew.
Before you set out to clean your mold and mildew, first take care of the source of the moisture, otherwise the mold will grow right back. Also, if a porous surface has suffered an outbreak (such as a carpet), throw it away – chances are it’s ruined.
To clean non-porous surfaces, follow these steps:
- First clean the area with soap
- Use non-ammonia soap with hot water and scrub the entire area. Bleach is toxic, so avoid using it if you can.
- Using a scrubber for pots and pans or a stiff brush works best, especially for uneven surfaces.
- Rinse the area clean with very hot water.
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