Black Mold vs Mildew: How to Clean Each?

Every homeowner runs into that gross dark stuff growing somewhere in their house eventually. It could be in the bathroom corners, basement walls, or creeping around window frames. The thing is, not all of that nasty growth is created equal. Some scrubs off easily with regular cleaners. Other types can actually make people sick if handled incorrectly.

Around 67% of Americans have dealt with mold or mildew at home, according to recent studies. What’s scary is that doctors now think about 1 in 5 asthma cases might be connected to breathing in spores from damp, moldy places. Houses with visible mold problems can lose 20-37% of their value, too. That’s potentially $60,000+ on a typical home.

The thing about black mold vs mildew cleaning is knowing which battle you’re fighting. Mildew is mostly annoying but harmless. Black mold is a whole different thing that needs serious safety gear and sometimes professional help.

Figuring Out What’s Growing

Spotting Black Mold

Black mold doesn’t always look black, which throws people off. It can be dark green, grayish-black, or straight up black. Always looks thick and fuzzy, though, sometimes slimy if there’s lots of moisture around. The dead giveaway is how it digs down into whatever it’s growing on – wood, drywall, fabric, you name it.

It usually smells terrible, too. That musty, earthy stench that hits when walking into a room. Black mold loves constantly wet spots like behind stucco that’s got water issues or around pipes that never stop dripping.

Recognizing Mildew

Mildew stays right on the surface instead of burrowing in. Starts out whitish or light gray, gets darker as it ages. Feels powdery when touched, kind of like dusty chalk. Shows up in small patches rather than big spreading areas.

Common spots include bathroom tile grout, shower doors, window sills with condensation buildup, awnings that get rained on, stuff like that.

Getting Rid of Mildew

Safety Gear for Mildew

Mildew won’t kill anyone, but breathing spores still isn’t great:

• Crack open windows, turn on bathroom fans
• Rubber gloves and basic safety glasses
• Dust mask to keep from inhaling particles
• Send kids and pets somewhere else while working

What to Use

You can use:

• Plain white vinegar from the kitchen
• Box of baking soda
• Regular bleach (only on hard stuff like tile)
• Some scrub brushes
• Old rags and paper towels
• Spray bottles

Dealing With Black Mold

Stay Safe While Cleaning

Black mold releases spores when disturbed, and breathing those can make people seriously sick:

• N95 mask minimum, P100 is way better
• Cover everything – long pants, long sleeves, gloves up to wrists
• Safety goggles so spores don’t get in the eyes
• Plastic sheets to seal off the room
• Turn off air conditioning so spores don’t blow around

When DIY Might Work

EPA says homeowners can try handling black mold if:

• Covers less than 10 square feet (about closet-sized)
• Nobody in the house has breathing problems
• Water damage was clean water, not sewage or flood nasty
• First time seeing mold in that spot

Anything bigger or more complicated needs pros.

How to Clean Small Black Mold Areas

Getting Set Up:

1. Tape plastic sheets over doorways, vents, and anywhere air moves
2. Kill the heating/cooling system
3. Put a fan in a window, blowing air outside
4. Put on all the safety gear

Mixing Cleaner:

• A cup of borax in a gallon of hot water works well
• Or grab a commercial black mold killer made for the surface type
• Don’t use bleach on wood or drywall – doesn’t soak in deep enough

Actually Cleaning:

1. Spray mold thoroughly, let it sit 20 minutes
2. Scrub with disposable brushes or rags
3. Work top to bottom so dirty water doesn’t mess up clean areas
4. Throw away all brushes and rags in sealed bags
5. Wipe down with clean water

Wrapping Up:

1. Run fans and dehumidifiers until bone dry
2. Check the spot every week for months
3. If mold comes back, it’s time for professionals

When to Give Up and Call Pros

Don’t mess around if:

• The moldy area is bigger than a small bathroom
• It’s in the air ducts or the heating system
• Cleaning stucco ceilings shows mold everywhere
• Already tried cleaning, and it came back
• Anyone’s getting sick – coughing, headaches, breathing trouble
• The house has water problems that won’t quit

Most people can handle mildew with household cleaners. Black mold is a serious business that fights back and can make families sick without proper handling.

Too many homeowners turn small problems into disasters by using the wrong cleaning methods or skipping safety gear. Professional mold work costs more upfront, but it is usually cheaper than health problems, repeated treatments, or house damage from doing it wrong.

Pros have proper equipment, know how to contain problems so they don’t spread, and can find water sources causing issues. They document everything for insurance and guarantee their work.For anything more than basic mildew, Cajun Softwash has certified people who can figure out what’s going on and handle it safely. Don’t gamble with family health or turn small problems into expensive nightmares.

For More:

1. Pergola Cleaning: Stop Ruining Your Backyard Investment With Poor Maintenance
2. How to Clean Stucco Without Pressure Washer: A Gentle & Effective Guide
3. The Real Deal on Awning Cleaning: What Louisiana Homeowners Actually Need to Know