How to Cope With Increased Mildew

The prolonged period of rain that we experienced this winter has filled our reservoirs but the extra humidity your home experienced has its drawbacks. Especially in the bathroom. All the little edges, nooks and ledges around your shower have kept enough moisture present to cause a fungi to grow there. This fungi is called mildew, as is the little stain left where it grows.

Removing mildew is not hard--use a chlorine bleach solution, but beware that the bleach will discolor certain paints and plastics. Use a ratio of 5 parts water to one part bleach. The bleach is an oxidizing agent that removes the stain. However, it does not prevent future problems with fungus and mildew.

Use a fungicide, available at janitorial supply stores and large supermarkets, on the areas where the growth keeps recurring to stem the growth. Expose the trouble spots to sunlight if possible, keep the room ventilated as well as you can and try to reduce moisture by sponging down walls and trouble spots when shower time is over.