Household Tips - Fighting Pesky Mildew, Part 2
In fighting mildew, special precautions apply to certain items or areas:
Valuables — Always consult a professional when dealing with expensive antiques, upholstered furniture or carpeting/rugs.
Books and magazines — If you have trouble drying the pages, sprinkle cornstarch or talcum powder between the pages to take up the moisture.
Apparel and textiles — Moisten the mildewed area with lemon juice and salt; then, dry in the sun. After testing the fabric, immerse briefly in a 50/50 solution of peroxide and water; wash thoroughly, rinse and dry.
Bathroom tiling and accessories — To avoid mildew, let the shower curtain hang loosely so it dries quickly. Thoroughly rinse the rubber bath mat after every use and place it over the edge of the tub to dry. Toss your plastic shower curtain or liner into the washing machine with other clothes, provided the water is not too hot. If your shower curtain is mildewed, soak it in a solution of chlorine bleach and water. Scrub mildewed grouting with an old toothbrush.
Confined spaces — Keep a light permanently turned on in a damp closet or musty corner of the basement. Install louvered doors to promote air circulation or leave solid doors open on occasion. Place silica gel (a chemical used for drying flowers) in an open container or a cloth bag (the granules are reusable after being dried in the oven).
Exterior walls - A moderate roof overhang will minimize moisture on exterior walls, as will gutters and downspouts. Landscaping can also play a role: Keep shrubs away from walls and arrange them so that natural breezes can flow near the house. Give special attention to air movement patterns on northern exposures where sunlight cannot assist in drying. A glossy or semi-glossy latex paint or an oil paint with an appropriate primer is recommended for siding materials that tend to absorb moisture from rain or dew. Use a water-repellent finish (often combined with a wood preservative) for wood siding that is stained or left to weather naturally.
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Tags: household advice, mildew, household tips
