Increased awareness of the physical and environmental effects of harsh chemical cleaners has prompted greater interest in natural cleaning products. The common household problem of mildew can be combated using all natural cleaning products or homemade solutions. You no longer need to open your windows to encourage ventilation to effectively rid your home of mildew.
Identification
Mildew is the result of an overgrowth of mold and fungi that originates on moist, organic surfaces. Such surfaces often include wood, clothing and tiles. Mildew is commonly associated with your bathroom, basement and laundry room. You can detect mildew by sight, as it will turn organic materials dark and splotchy, or by smell, as it emits an unpleasant and musty odor.
Significance
Mildew can cause various health problems, the least severe being allergic reactions, skin irritations and respiratory infections. Some forms of mold and fungi can cause serious health conditions, such as Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis, a chronic disease that resembles pneumonia. Preventative measures, such as keeping mildew-prone areas dry and well ventilated, can keep mildew from growing. Once established, however you will want to act quickly to remove mildew and protect your health.
Commercial Products
The traditional method of cleaning mildew-stained textiles and surfaces has been the use of chlorine bleach. Chlorine bleach, however, is a strong chemical that can burn and irritate the skin and eyes as well as cause serious health problems when ingested or inhaled. To replace bleach, companies are now producing natural cleaning products that are successful in the removal of mildew. According to the Consumer Reports website, one of the best natural cleaners to prevent the buildup of mildew is Clorox’s Green Works Natural cleaner. This product’s ingredients, which are entirely plant and mineral based, make it safe for your health and the environment.
Homemade
You can also make your own homemade, natural cleaning solutions to remove mildew from your clothing or home surfaces. The New Home Maker website suggests you combine two cups of water with two teaspoons of tea tree oil in a spray bottle. Spray this mixture onto affected areas of your clothing and do not rinse it out. Allow it to sit for a couple of hours and then wash as normal. To remove mildew from surfaces, you can simply clean the area with plain vinegar or prepare a mixture of borax and water.
Warning
Be sure that the products you use are suitable for the surface you are cleaning. Some natural cleaning products for mildew will stain or damage granite, stainless steel and other hard surfaces. The Consumer Reports website asserts that their tests show that the Seventh Generation Natural Tub and Tile Cleaner product is very harsh on such surfaces, while Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day is the most gentle on surfaces but not very effective in removing mildew.
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