DIY Mildew Removal

Mildew is an equal opportunity fungus, growing and spreading on most any surface that is exposed to moisture and heat for prolonged periods of time. When left to spread, mildew can weaken materials and spread to nearby surfaces. While commercial mildew-removing products are available they often contain chemicals that can irritate your skin. DIY mildew removal can be done with home remedies that cost a fraction of the commercial products and spare you the chemical exposure.

Removing Mildew From Fabric

• 1

  Wash the mildew-stained fabric in the hottest water allowable, using laundry detergent and all-fabric bleach. Hang the fabric to dry in direct sunlight. Sunlight is a natural mildew killer.

• 2
  Lemon is a natural mildew killer. lemons image by Maria Brzostowska from Fotolia.com

  Combine equal parts of lemon juice and table salt in a bowl. Mix the two ingredients with your old toothbrush. Apply the lemon juice and salt mixture to any remaining mildew stains on the fabric and scrub the paste into the stains.

• 3

  Lay or hang your fabric in the sunlight until the lemon paste dries on the fabric. Brush the dried paste off the fabric and launder according to directions.

Remove Mildew From Upholstery or Carpeting

• 1
  Your vacuum helps remove mildew stains on upholstery and carpeting. vacuum cleaner image by vb_photo from Fotolia.com

  Bring mildew-stained upholstered items outdoors and brush visible mildew spores off with a stiff-bristled brush. Vacuum the upholstered furniture and mildew-stained carpeting. Throw away your vacuum bag when finished.

• 2

  Combine 1 cup ammonia with 1 cup water in a bowl. Sponge the ammonia solution onto the mildew-stained areas of your upholstery until the stains are removed. Rinse with a cloth dampened in plain water, then dry the upholstery by pressing a dry cloth into it.

• 3

  Whip together 1 tbsp. laundry detergent and 2 cups cool water until a soapy froth forms on the top of the solution. Dip a sponge into the soap froth only and dab at your mildew-stained carpet. Continue to blot until all the mildew stains are removed, then rinse with a dampened cloth and dry with another cloth.

• 4

  Aim an electric fan at your damp upholstery and carpet. Allow the fan to run until the surfaces are dry.

Removing Mildew From Hard Surfaces

• 1

  Mix a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and water. Pour the solution into a spray bottle and place the spray cap on the bottle.

• 2
  Spray directly onto the mildew stains. spray bottle nozzle image by Kathy Burns from Fotolia.com

  Spray hard surfaces with mildew stains, such as shower tile or wood furniture. Allow the vinegar solution to sit on the surface for 10 minutes.

• 3

  Wipe the hard surface with a sponge to remove vinegar and mildew. Repeat, if necessary, for stubborn mildew stains or apply straight vinegar to the stains.