Mildew Be Gone

Are you sick and tired of dealing with mold and mildew? If you have a poorly ventilated bathroom that has become the prefect breeding ground for the smelly living organisms, then you might feel as though you are fighting a losing battle. Fortunately, there is hope for a clean lavatory that doesn’t require detoxing every week. The following mold and mildew removers have served me well in the past: Remedex Mold and Mildew Remover: I used this when I was living in a tiny one bedroom apartment in Hawaii where mold and mildew came to party. The product is safe … Continue reading

Damp, Mold, and Mental Health

A recent study from the Brown University School of Medicine looked at a possible link between damp, moldy homes and emotional problems like depression. Researchers looked at living conditions and health conditions in several cities around Europe, including Bonn, Germany, Budapest, Hungary, and Geneva Switzerland. Their data came from World Health Organization surveys performed in 2002 and 2003. Nearly six thousand men and women from households around Europe were asked about their health, including any diagnosis of depression in the last year. Participants were chosen at random, divided equally between men and women, and ranged in age from 18 to … Continue reading

No More Mildew

Want a way to keep mold and mildew off of your shower curtain? Here is a simple way that will help you avoid those harsh chemical cleaners, well cleaning at all, when it comes to your shower curtain. Isn’t it funny how little things around the house bother one person more than they do the other? Any type of mold on the shower curtain is one of those things for me. I can’t stand it when there is any form of mold or mildew. For my husband, it isn’t as big a deal. I suppose he figures that it is … Continue reading

Home and Garden Question: Washing Machine Odor

I recently received the following question: Does your washer ever have an odor? Mine does. The smell isn’t real strong but it is unpleasant and like musty. What can I do to to get rid of it and keep it from smelling? Any ideas? The good news is that this problem is usually easy to resolve. First, try leaving the lid to the washing machine open after washing a load of clothes. Letting the drum air out after each load instead of closing the lid will help prevent odors. Another thing to consider is that washing machines do get dirty. … Continue reading

Does Your Home have Mold?

Okay, I know what you’re thinking: Yuck! I agree. Unfortunately, hot humid weather can be problematic for homes and other structures that are prone to mold. If you’ve ever had a mold problem, you may be confident that it’s been cleared up. It’s important to continue checking often to ensure that mold does not return. The sooner it’s found, the better chance you have of getting rid of it. It also helps to treat suspect areas before mold begins to grow. If mildew is a problem, treat those areas regularly as well. Bleach and bleach based products are your friend. … Continue reading

When Mildew Gets Ugly

I hate harsh chemicals because they make me break out in rashes. Even the smell sometimes can make me want to itch. So whenever there is a job that requires a heavy duty cleaner, I usually ask someone else to do it. Like my husband. Like the shower curtain. Despite my repeated asking nicely (okay nagging), however, it was no surprise to me this morning that the curtain still required a good cleaning. In fact, the mildew had rallied itself together to spell out “ha ha” on the plastic liner. So I went to do what I always do when … Continue reading

Top Five Tips for Fresh, Clean Towels

You probably find yourself washing towels frequently, and if you have a large family, it might be every day. While washing towels is not too complicated, there are still some issues that need attention, as noted below. Towels and other linens can be a haven for bacteria and mildew. 1. Remove towels and other linens from the washing machine as soon as possible. Allowing laundry to sit for even short periods of time in warm or humid conditions can quickly lead to mildew. While you might not see or even smell it, mildew spores can grow rapidly. 2. If it … Continue reading

Do it Yourself: How to Caulk Your Tub

Putting in a new tub? Maybe your existing tub is just looking a little worse for wear. Aside from making your tub look better, you can save yourself a lot of money with this simple do it yourself project. For less than $20.00 worth of supplies and under half an hour of your time, you can avoid paying a plumber or a handyman for a service call, and you may also avoid hundreds, even thousands of dollars in repair bills. Old caulk can develop mildew and it can also allow leakage, causing water damage to walls and floors. Look for … Continue reading

Caring for Your Deck

A deck is an attractive addition to any home and yard. When cared for properly, it looks great and provides a nice outdoor space for visiting, eating, or just relaxing. Keep Your Deck Clean A clean deck will last much longer. Sweep away debris and wash your deck occasionally. You can use plain water or add a bit of detergent, and there are also specialized cleaners for decks and other wooden elements. When you’re finished cleaning and rinsing your deck thoroughly sweep away excess water with a clean broom. It’s not good to leave standing water of the deck’s surface. … Continue reading

Mold and Mildew

The best way to deal with mold and mildew is to prevent them in the first place. One way to help prevent their occurrence is using mold and mildew resistant primer and paint in damp areas such as kitchens and baths. These solutions are specially formulated to make water bead and roll off instead of settling on surfaces or being absorbed. Another way prevent mold and mildew is to limit moisture. Run an exhaust fan or even a regular fan from time to time to circulate air in an extremely damp space, such as a small bathroom or the laundry … Continue reading