People often confuse mold with mildew, and it’s easy to see why.
Both are a type of fungus that gives off a foul, musty odor, and both are known
to grow in warm, moist environments. However, if you are going to properly
eliminate mold and mildew from your home, you have to know how to identify
which is which so that you can use the correct solution to remove the growth.
Here are the main differences that distinguish mold from mildew.
Where Mildew Grows vs. Where Mold Grows
Mildew tends to grow on the surfaces of wet or damp objects, which
makes it easier to see and remove. Mildew tends to accumulate on the walls,
floors, and ceilings of rooms with high humidity as well as on leather, fabric,
paper, and organic surfaces. Mildew can also be found on crops and plants,
including grapes and potatoes.
Mold has more of a tendency to grow underneath surfaces that have
gotten wet, but mold can grow on a variety of surfaces if the conditions are
right (basically, enough darkness and moisture). Mold can grow in showers,
under sinks and toilets, near windows, and on walls, insulation, floors,
curtains, furniture, clothes, rugs, and mattresses.
How Mildew Looks vs. How Mold Looks
Mildew is not as diverse as mold in the “looks department.” Mildew
tends to be pale yellow, gray, or white and looks downy, fluffy, or powdery in
texture. It is also possible for mildew to turn brown or black over time. When
mildew first starts to appear, it might look like a bunch of pale spots, but as
it grows, it develops into a flat patch.
Mold can grow in a variety of colors, including gray, brown,
black, green, yellow, blue, and white. Like mildew, mold can have a somewhat
fluffy texture, but it can also have a slimy appearance. Mold begins to appear
as a number of spots that can be mismatched in shape and size.
The Effects of Mildew vs. The Effects of Mold
While both mildew and mold have adverse effects on their
surroundings, mold is considered the more hazardous of the two. If mildew
starts to grow on your food, you’ll have to consider that food inedible, but
unlike mold, mildew won’t cause serious damage to a building. Mold can cause
the structures on which it grows to rot.
Mold can also cause more serious adverse health effects than
mildew. Exposure to mildew spores can trigger symptoms such as a headache, sore
throat, cough, or another respiratory issue. While mold can also trigger these
symptoms, mold can contribute to other health issues such as joint pain and
inflammation, chronic fatigue, depression, dizziness, migraines, and even
hearth problems. Children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune
systems are particularly susceptible to the ill effects of mold spore exposure.
If you suspect that your home has water damage,
it’s important to get your home inspected as soon as possible for areas that
might allow mold to thrive. At GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration, we’re
capable of providing you with a comprehensive water damage evaluation of
your home.
