You don’t want mold or mildew lurking in your home.
But are mold and mildew the same thingand how do you discourage them from appearing?
Get the scoop on the mold vs. mildew debate.
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We also asked a cleaning expert for their advice on cleaning and removing each.
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How to Identify Mildew and Mold
Molds are fungi (like mushrooms!)
that thrive on moisture and oxygen.
Mold spores can also waft through the air to other parts of the house and spread if not addressed.
Mold is usually green or blackbut can also be pinkand has a strong odor.
Properly cleaning and removing mold growth can be challenging, often needing professional help.
Mildew
Mildew is just a different key in of mold.
You’ll often findmildew in the bathroom, windowsills, and other moisture-filled spaces.
Additionally, mildew has a more subtle scent than other molds.
[EPA]
What Are Mycotoxins?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), some types of mold naturally produce toxins called mycotoxins.
Mycotoxins can also be released into the air by molds, potentially exposing us to toxins.
Inhalation can also lead to more severe health issues and, in extreme cases, death.
Rubino recommends the following to help keep mold from cropping up in the first place.
There are safe ways toclean mold and mildewfrom your house.
And once it’s gone, follow the prevention steps above to help keep it from resurfacing.
Here’s what you oughta know to get rid of any mold or mildew.
Wear gloves, goggles, and a mask, and work in well-ventilated areas.
“All of the contamination must go,” Rubino says.
“This includes the colony, roots, dead mold particles, mycotoxins, and any bacteria present.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 26 Sept. 2024,www.cdc.gov/mold-health/about/index.html.
Accessed 5 Oct. 2024.
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.https://www.med.navy.mil/Portals/62/Documents/NMFA/NMCPHC/root/Industrial%20Hygiene/mold_508.pdf
Mold Course Chapter 1: Introduction to Molds.
United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2 Jan. 2024,www.epa.gov/mold/mold-course-chapter-1.
Accessed 5 Oct. 2024.
2024;68(1):19-35. doi:10.1093/annweh/wxad070
World Health Organization.
Mycotoxins.WHO, 2 Oct. 2023,www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mycotoxins.
Accessed 26 Sept. 2024.
Case Definition: Trichothecene Mycotoxin.Emergency Preparedness and Response, CDC, 4 Apr.
Accessed 4 Oct. 2024.
Accessed 26 Sept. 2024.
Mold Cleanup in Your Home.US Environmental Protection Agency, 11 July 2024,www.epa.gov/mold/mold-cleanup-your-home.
Accessed 26 Sept. 2024.
