What Is The Difference Between Mold and Mildew?

12/7/2022 (Permalink)

Mold and Mildew – What’s the difference?

Mold and mildew are both types of fungus that grow on the surfaces of your home, but there are a few key differences between the two. While mold grows from moisture and thrives in dark, damp places, mildew loves light and humidity. Here are some tips for identifying these common household pests and getting rid of them.

What is Mold?

Mold is a fungus that grows in damp places. It's usually black, green, or brown. Mold can grow on food, in your home, and even on furniture and clothing. If you have it on any of these things, you should call a professional immediately so that it doesn't get worse!

What is Mildew?

Mildew is a type of fungus that can grow on many different surfaces, also including fabrics, food products, and plant leaves. While mildew looks similar to mold in some cases (it can be white or gray), there are some key differences between the two that help you determine whether you're dealing with mold or mildew.

Mildew grows in moist areas and can appear as a powdery substance on surfaces like shower curtains or tiles. If left untreated for too long, it will start to smell bad and damage your belongings. To prevent this from happening to your home's valuables like furniture or clothing items:

• Avoid storing damp items together in one place (e.g., towels next to swimsuits)
• Clean up spills immediately so they don't get wet again later

What is the difference between mold and mildew? 

Mold and mildew are both fungi, but they are different from each other in many ways. Mold is a type of fungus with hyphae, whereas mildew is a type of fungus with spores. These differences can make it difficult for people to tell the difference between mold and mildew. Both types of fungi grow on plants as well as in homes and buildings where there is moisture present (i.e., humidity).

How to Get Rid of Mold and Mildew in Your Home

If you have mold and mildew in your home, the first step is to get rid of it. To do this, you should use a dehumidifier to reduce moisture levels in the air, which will prevent future growth. If you don't want to spend money on a full-size unit for your entire house (which can be expensive), try investing in one that's designed specifically for small spaces like bathrooms or closets. There are also smaller versions available so you can put them wherever they fit best.

The best step to take if you discover mold growth in your home is to call a certified mold remediation specialist, such as SERVPRO of Jacksonville South. They can take care of any size mold remediation necessary or give you tips on how to take care of your mold growth on your own if the mold growth isn’t too serious. 

How to Prevent Mold Growth and Mildew 

You can prevent mold growth by keeping the humidity level in your home around 50% and ventilating the house. This is especially important if you have a basement or crawlspace, as these areas are usually damp.

Keep your house clean by cleaning up spills immediately and removing any mold or mildew you see growing.

If you find yourself with an infestation of mold or mildew, it may be best to hire professionals who know how to properly remove it so that they don't cause further damage to your home during the process.

The difference between mold and mildew is that mold is a fungus that grows on damp or wet surfaces, while mildew is a type of fungus that grows on dry surfaces. Both are unsightly and can be dangerous to the structure and belongings of your home if you don't take care of them quickly.