Mold And Mildew Smell Removal - Some Tips
It may be time for a mold and mildew smell removal project if you are noticing a musty smell in your home. In the beginning, this smell may be too faint to be noticed but as it gets stronger, the problem may accelerate until an entire room or even the whole house will have this pungent odor. First of all, this smell is an indicator that mold and mildew are starting to grow in such numbers so as to cause a detectable odor. This may be accompanied by ugly dark spots in certain areas of the house. Also, it should be remembered that the spores produced by mold and mildew contain toxins that can be dangerous to the health of members of the household. It is best to immediately conduct a mold and mildew smell removal project once the unpleasant odor is noticed.
The first step in mildew smell removal is to pinpoint the sources of the smell and the first places to look are clothes, towels, fabrics and other porous materials like carpets. If the mold and mildew are able to accumulate in such large numbers in these materials, it may be become impossible to totally eradicate them. Thus, it is prudent to start getting rid of mold and mildew from them once a faint musty smell is noticed.
For carpets and rugs that often get wet, mold and mildew may soon grow in them. Thus, it is advisable to use a vacuum cleaner on them or a broom or brush. However, you want to do this outside the house to ensure that the spores do not scatter inside your home. If they are wet, make sure that you dry them under the sun first before attempting to clean them. If the odor persists, you can use a solution of hydrogen peroxide and water. You can also use lemon juice or a non-chlorine bleaching agent. Just make sure that you have read the carpet manufacturer's instructions on what chemicals can be used to clean them.
As for towels and clothes, you can mix some vinegar in hot water and use these in the washing machine without using any detergent. After this, use the dryer and then bring them out and let them dry under the sun until they are thoroughly dry. If the musty odor persists, you can repeat the process. After this, you can wash them using a laundry detergent that has a bleach additive with antimicrobial properties.
The musty smell may still persist after doing the above because mold and mildew may be present in certain parts of the home like the bathroom, walls, furniture and in warm areas like the kitchen. In these areas, you can use vinegar or a commercial mold and mildew remover. Thoroughly clean these areas first and then apply the chemicals for mold and mildew removal. You may also want to investigate water leaks and other causes of high humidity in certain areas of the home. You can also try to maximize the entry of sunlight inside your home because this will kill the fungi and thus help in your mold and mildew smell removal task.
