How To Tell the Difference Between Mold and Mildew

1/13/2022 (Permalink)

If you find mold in your home, it is important to have SERVPRO remove it as quickly as possible.

Mold VS. Mildew: How To Tell The Difference

Although the terms mold and mildew are often used interchangeably, there are some differences between the two. Unless you are a microbiologist, you probably can’t identify the exact variety of fungus you may have in your house in Yelm, WA, but you can still learn about the basic differences and why it matters to you to prevent mold damage.

Helpful Questions

When you see a fungus growing in your home, you can ask yourself some questions to help you distinguish between mold and mildew.

• What color is it?
• Mildew growth is white, but molds can be a variety of colors including black, red, green, or blue.

• Is it fuzzy?
• Organisms in the fungus family are defined by having long filaments (hyphae), but mildew is less fuzzy than most molds.

• Does it seem to be deeply rooted or just on the surface?
• Mildew tends to be more superficial, while mold growth is usually deeper.

Why You Should Learn the Difference

Why does it matter if you have mildew or mold? Well, mildew is usually a lot easier to clean up. You can often use a solution of bleach or other disinfectant to scrub it off a surface.

Mold is a bigger problem because spores are everywhere in the environment, and they only need a moist area and organic food source to survive and reproduce. Mold is also very difficult to control due to the deep root system and the fast reproduction cycle. It can easily turn into a mold damage problem.

You need to act fast to get control of a mold problem in your home. Hiring a professional mold remediation company is the best way to get it done quickly and effectively. These experts have specialized equipment and take the necessary precautions, like the use of negative air chambers, to minimize the spread of mold spores while mitigating mold damage.