It goes without saying that most American families have had a brush with mildew at one time or another. It's every homeowner's worst nightmare. There is an advantage though. Mildew can turn even the least successful gardeners thumb green--or should we say black! We're not sure that that's anything to brag about. At any rate, mildew can be a problem both inside the house and on the exterior as well. In addition to its unsightly appearance and often-fierce odor recent medical studies have shown that mildew can also be the cause of a variety of physical ailments as well. In 1989 the British Medical Journal reported that "Scottish doctors who surveyed 597 families in London, Edinburgh, and Glasgow found that those who lived in damp, moldy houses--about half the number studied--suffered a much higher incidence of respiratory problems, headaches, nausea, fevers, backaches, high blood pressure, and fatigue."

Mildew is a fungus that grows as a surface mold on virtually any material. Dormant mildew spores are in the air almost everywhere, and all they need to develop and prosper is a warm damp environment. A foul or musty odor is the first sign that mildew is developing somewhere inside the home. It is generally followed by red, green, or black stains that spread very rapidly and are difficult to remove.

There are several steps that a homeowner can take to prevent mildew. However, once mildew has occurred proper cleanup is important to insure against a rapid return. The U.S. Department of Agricultures Forest Products Laboratory suggests the following formula to clean up mildew on painted or washable surfaces: 1/3 cup of powdered laundry detergent, one quart of liquid chlorine bleach and three quarts of warm water. Add the bleach to the water first, then the detergent. Even though this solution is mild make certain to wear safety goggles, rubber gloves and have plenty of ventilation. CAUTION: Never mix bleach with ammonia since the combination of the two creates a lethal gas similar to mustard gas.

Apply the solution to the affected areas with a sponge or nylon scrub brush. Leave it on long enough for the black stains to turn white but don't allow it to dry. Finally, rinse the entire area with fresh water.

If painting is planned it should be done soon after the cleaning to avoid future contamination of the surface that could flourish under the new coat of paint. For further protection look for paint that contains a mildewcide. Mildewcides can also be added to most paints.

Aside from proper cleanup there are several other measures that one can take to prevent the return of mildew. Ventilation tops the list! Good air circulation throughout the home will prohibit moisture from building which is the prime breeding ground for mildew. Opening windows, attic and sub area ventilation, and exhaust fans in the bathroom, kitchen, and laundry are just a few examples of the many ways in which the ventilation can be improved.

Sunlight is another major enemy to mildew. Large trees and shrubbery that surround a home should be cut back in order for the sun to dry out dampness that may be occurring on the roof or on the exterior siding that will likely result in the development of mildew. Whereas mildew isn't harmful to wood, the conditions that favor mildew also favor other fungi that do destroy wood. Eliminating damp conditions on the exterior will also help to clear up mildew that may exist on the interior.