Mildew vs. Mould or Mold depending on where you live: What exactly is the difference?
Posted by Richard Benson on
Mildew is a type of mould, which means that mould and mildew are from the same family. They are all fungi that are often found in damp parts of your home.
They thrive in a warm humid environments, these types of environments enable fungi to spreads easily from surface to surface mould spore can cause problems with your health mainly in your respiratory system.
They are not so good for your home either these fungi can be a symptom greater structural and moisture problems.
So back to the question, is there really a difference between mould and mildew? Yes, there are certain characteristics that distinguish mildew from other molds. Let's look at each mildew and mould-its appearance and smell, its growth, and the risks it brings.
What is mould?
mould is a fungus that grows from tiny spores floating in the air. Various molds are found everywhere in nature and are very essential to the ecosystem—they help with the decay of organic materials like dead trees and fallen leaves. This process allows those natural resources that contain nutrients to be released back into the soil, which then become available for use by other organisms and the circle of life starts again.
mould may be important to nature bur is may be quite harmful if it grows indoors. Not only can it cause health problems, it can also cause structural and surface damage to homes and other buildings. When mould spores reproduce and form clusters, it becomes visible to the human eye and can be identified as mould or its cousin mildew.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),"no one knows how many species of fungi exist, but estimates as many as tens of thousands to maybe 300,000 or more different types of molds."
Molds are best grown in warm, moist and humid conditions, they propagated by making spores these then tend to be moved around there environment via breezes or movements in the air or direct contact such as when you brushing up again them.”
How does mould affect your health?
You may have heard stories about people who have been sick from the mould. You might even think that, like many people, people get sick only when there is a black mould or an obvious infection. With potentially over 300,000 different types of mould, this could be further from the truth.
If you have a mould allergy or respiratory ailment such as asthma, you may be aware that when you are exposed to mould, as it may exacerbate your symptoms. If you don't have any allergies or a sensitivity to mould, you may not know of any in your home until you see or smell it but it will more than likely be in most homes.
There have been many papers and article written on how Exposure to mould can cause signs and symptoms of respiratory allergies, including:
- Sneeze.
- Runny nose or stuffy nose
- Dry, scaly.
- Itchy eyes, nose and throat.
If people have mould allergies as well as asthma, exposure to mould may cause:
- Cough.
- Wheezing.
- Chest tightness.
- Shortness of breath.
The severity of the symptoms of these mildew exposure can vary from mild to severe, depending on your age, as well as your overall health. If you have a mould allergy, you may be allergic to a particular type of mould. Some of the most common moulds that cause allergic reactions include:
- Aspergillus.
- Penicillium.
- Mycobacterium.
- Alternaria.
- Stachybotrys.
If you are unsure whether there is an allergy to mould, an allergen-specific test can be performed by your doctor.
Where does the mould grow in a family home?
Mould is naturally found outside and spores can be found inside your clothes or through your pet at your home. It is recommended that you check for mould at home and take steps to prevent and remove the mould.
While mould growth at home may occur due to unfortunate events such as flooding, mould can grow even with"normal" home conditions. Mould loves warmth, darkness, oxygen and moisture-all things that help it thrive. Places that fit this welcoming environment mould can be found everywhere in your home-from your shower to your mattress to the insulation on your attic.
Places to check behind
- Curtains the back of curtain is a very coming place
- Dressers
- In Wardrobes
- Bathrooms
How to identify the mould?
Mould can grow and spread quickly, causing structural and cosmetic damage, so it's a good idea to check your home mould regularly. There are two main ways to recognize whether you have mould growing in your home: sight and smell.
What does mould look like?
The mould grows by filaments that can appear blurry to the human eye's extended length. mould can be many different colours—white, gray, blue, black, green, brown or yellow. When the mould is present on the surface, it usually appears in irregular spots but can be the signal that there may be an underlying problem.
Remember how mould helps to break down organic matter? Well it’s doing the same thing to your house. When the mould gets out of control, you may find that the timbers may have rotted, due to excess moisture and mould.
What does mould smell like?
Although the mould does not always have a strong odor, when it is often described as"moldy or musky .""The rapid development of mould, it can emit gases called microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs). Technically, it's not just the mould you smell-it's the compound that is released at different stages of the growth of the mould.
What is mildew?
Simply put, mildew is a mould that tends to grow on flat, moist surfaces. This tendency to grow on a flat surface is one of the main differences that may exist between mould and mildew.
While mould can cause damage to the home, the damage is usually more cosmetic. However, in nature, mould can be very harmful to plants and food crops. Similarly, mould may pose health risks, but again, it will not have the same degree.
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), mould is considered to be an early mould. Of course, it is harmless and easier to treat than the full growth of the mould is.
How does mould affect your health?
Although mould is mostly known for its negative effects on plants and crops, when it grows outdoors, it may also affect your health (the same mould) if you breathe spores. The same potential health problems exist with moldy as they do with mould. Some of the symptoms according to FEMA include breathing problems such as wheezing, nasal and sinus congestion, eye, nose or throat irritation and headaches.
Without the removal of mould, it will continue to grow and these symptoms may get worse. If you or someone in your home experiences these symptoms and is sensitive to mould, it is a good idea to check your home to find all the problem areas.
Where moldy grows in a family?
Most often, you can find window sills and mildew on the shower wall, to name a few places-regardless of the high moisture content. It needs the same elements mould need to grow-warm, dark, oxygen and moisture. When these conditions exist, the fungicide can be easily grown on the surface.
How to identify mildew?
Mild grows and spreads as fast as other molds, although the damage it causes is usually cosmetic and can be handled without much trouble(more on how to handle the mildew below). Sight and smell are still two of the easiest ways to determine whether mildew grows in your home.
What does mildew look like?
Mildew can either have a powdery or cream-like texture. Powdery mildew is white when it first begins to grow, but can turn yellow, black or brown. Downy mildew begins to yellow and turns brown as it ages. As most types of mildew they tend to grow on a flat surface and tend to be easily delt with.
What does mildew smell like?
Mildew, like other molds, has a moldy and musty smell that is caused by MVOCs. If your home smells moldy, it could be mildew or other mould. You will have to visually confirm which one it is, or have a professional come to your home to test both.
How do you prevent and treat mildew and mould in your home?
Now that we've gone over how mould and mildew are different, you may be wondering how you can prevent and treat in your home. Prevention is always better than cure right!
How do you prevent mould and mildew from growing?
Keep all surfaces dry-easily damp surfaces in your bathroom and kitchen. Keeping them dry will go a long way in preventing mould and mildew. Also, remember to leave your washing machine open for use between so it can air.
Use a dehumidifier-to prevent mould growth and keep your home at an ideal humidity level(between 40-50%).
Regular replacement of air filters-HVAC filters, as well as HEPA filters, prone to mould and mildew. When you change them often, you are blocking this.
Regular inspection of mould and mildew-the sooner you catch it, the easier it will be treated.
Keep the air circulating in your home stagnant air traps moisture, creating the perfect environment for mould and moldy growth. Let the air flow through your home by opening the windows and using the fan.
Use indoor air purifiers-indoor air purifiers devices can remove mould spores from the air in your home, helping to prevent them from forming clusters and growing.
Overview of the difference between mildew and mould
Remember that the main difference between mould and mildew is usually:
- Texture
- Color
- Growth stage
- Severity of each possible health risk
Types of family injuries they can cause
While mould is often more serious than mildew, both should be considered a potential health and home risks. Preventive measures will go a long way in keeping your home and family healthy. If you find mould or mildew, there are many ways to remove it—either by yourself or with the help of a professional.