Home Garden

How do I Remove Mildew Smells?

Mildew in the home causes an unpleasant, musty smell that lingers on clothes and fabrics. It thrives on organic matter, living on plants and vegetation, but is also found on clothing. Mildew can cause asthma attacks in sufferers.
  1. What Is Mildew?

    • Mildew causes problems in buildings.

      Mildew is a mold-like covering of microorganisms caused by high humidity and fed by organic matter. Bathrooms and kitchens with their warm, moist atmospheres are particularly susceptible to this unpleasant growth.

    How to Stop Mildew

    • Ventilation will help prevent mildew.

      Mildew thrives in dark, moist conditions. Letting light and air into a room is one of the best ways to prevent mildew. You can also use a disinfectant to stop mildew from spreading. To help the problem, Mildew.org suggests heating a room and ventilating it to let the air circulate, or keeping a light bulb on in small, dark spaces.

    Removing Mildew Smell

    • Vinegar can be as effective as bleach to remove mildew.

      The unpleasant odor that accompanies mildew can be removed by cleaning the area with household bleach or chloride of lime. Vinegar is also a tried and tested way of removing the mold. Add vinegar to the washing machine to remove mildew from shower curtains.