Mold and mildew are two terms that are commonly used interchangeably. But, some people are actually aware that they’re two different things. Still, it’s not always clear what exactly those differences are. Have you ever wondered if the spots you’ve seen in your house are signs of black mold or mildew? Well, we just might be able to solve that mystery for you. We’ll discuss a few differences between mildew and mold.
Defining Mildew and Mold
One of the reasons people get confused about whether something is black mold or mildew is because mildew can be considered as a type of mold. Mildew is a specific type of fungal growth. It is usually seen as a gray or black. On rare occasions, mildew might be white in color. Normally, mildew appears as a thin and dusty patch. It looks more like a fluffy or powdery substance. Usually, mildew is just on the surface and can be treated and removed pretty easily.
Mildew finds it’s comfy place on fabrics like cotton and linen. It can eat away at the fabric on your couch or cause discoloration on the surface where it grows. Mildew also likes to rest on paper and leather. It can destroy the pages of books and ruin your favorite shirt. Mildew can grow on damp surfaces in your home or office. It can also grow and thrive off of various agricultural products (plants, and so forth).
What about mold? Well, a mold growth is similar to a mildew growth in a couple of ways. It’s often black or white in color. But, it can also be blue, yellow, brown, or green. Mold and mildew both grow in warm and moist environments. They are also both really interested in hanging out in the same spots. They like to relax on your clothes, food items, in books, and even on walls or floors. But, unlike mildew, most molds are much more than surface dwellers. They enjoy deep relaxation — they go further into the area where they grow. Most of the time, these molds are found to be growing deeper into walls, floors, or furniture than mildew. Mold can appear as a fuzzy or slimy substance.
What Do I Do If I Have Black Mold or Mildew?
When it comes to figuring out whether you have black mold or mildew growing in your home, remember that mildew is a type of mold-like growth. So, in a sense, you have mold growing either way. However, the good news is that mildew is much easier to get rid of than black mold. So, if you’ve got mildew, you’re not in the worst predicament.
You can actually get rid of mildew if you are a Do-It-Yourselfer. With some mildew cleaning product and some scrubbing action, you can remove the growths. It is very important that you do the work in a well-ventilated area. That way, you can avoid inhaling harmful air.
Mold, however, is definitely something that’s a little harder to get rid of. It’s not a good idea to try to remove it without professional help. Don’t panic! It’s not as hard as it sounds. All it takes is a phone call! A Plus Mold Remediation Inc. is devoted to making sure your home or business is free of harmful growths. If you think you have black mold or mildew growing in your home, contact us. We can help you get rid of that problem for you quickly and thoroughly. Let A Plus Mold Remediation Inc. take care of your mold remediation needs. Give us a call today!