Mold vs Mildew: The Main Differences Between Mold and Mildew

Mold and mildew are both types of fungi that are commonly found in the home. They thrive in moist environments, spread easily, and live on various surfaces which makes them very difficult to get rid of. If left unattended, however, the harmful microorganisms can quickly affect large areas of your property and may even result in health problems and structural damage. While the two types of fungi share many common features, they pose different risks and respond to different treatment.

So, in order to come up with an efficient cleaning strategy and ensure the safety of your living environment, you need to understand the difference between mold and mildew.

Key Takeaways:

• Types of Fungi: Mold and mildew are fungi that thrive in moist environments, potentially causing health issues and structural damage.
• Differences: Mold has multiple identical nuclei, grows in black or green patches, penetrates surfaces, and is more harmful. Mildew is a surface fungus, easier to remove, and usually less dangerous.
• Common Types: Powdery and downy mildew; Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Stachybotrys chartarum (black mold) are common molds.
• Identification: Mold is typically fuzzy/slimy and various colors; mildew is flat, white, gray, or yellow.
• Health Effects: Mold can cause severe respiratory issues and allergic reactions; mildew causes milder symptoms.
• Prevention and Cleaning: Maintain low humidity, fix leaks, use dehumidifiers, and clean mildew with vinegar or commercial cleaners. Professional help is recommended for extensive mold.

What Is the Difference Between Mold and Mildew?

Mold is a fungus that contains multiple identical nuclei and grows in the form of black or green patches which penetrate beneath the surface of the affected material. It reproduces by releasing mold spores which is why mold growth can spread so easily once it appears in your home. Exposure to the spores can also cause allergic reactions and respiratory issues.

Mildew, on the other hand, is also a type of fungus and considered an early stage of mold. It has flat growth that remains on the surface where it can be easily removed. While mold usually grows on food or inside permanent structures, such as walls and crawl spaces, mildew can be found on damp surfaces, paper, fabrics, and various organic materials in your home. Mildew is not as dangerous as mold, but it can trigger health issues and cause damage to the affected materials.

Common Mildew Types

Primarily, mildew is a plant disease that causes significant damage to crops and plants, but it can also grow on walls, wallpaper, and wood. Unlike mold which appears as irregularly shaped splotches, mildew grows in a flat pattern. The two main types of mildew are powdery and downy:

• Powdery mildew mainly affects flowering plants and first appears as white or gray patterned splotches that gradually become yellowish brown or black as the fungus grows.
• Downy mildew is commonly found in agricultural products, such as grapes and potatoes. Its appearance varies depending on the type of surface it grows on, but usually downy mildew starts as yellow spots that eventually turn brown.

Common Mold Types

Although the number of mold species that can live indoors exceeds 10,000 according to the latest CDC estimates, most household molds belong to one of the following five types:

• Alternaria grows on walls, in showers, around windows, under sinks, and in various other damp places. It is often found in buildings that have suffered some kind of water damage. Alternaria mold can appear black, grey, or dark brown and has a wooly or down-like texture. Prolonged exposure to this kind of fungi can cause allergic reactions and asthma attacks.

• Aspergillus is the most common type of mold found indoors. It can look grey, brown, yellow, green, white, or black. Aspergillus mold usually grows on walls, insulation, paper products, and clothing. It can cause allergic reactions and respiratory infections, as well as inflammation of the lungs in people with weak immune systems.
• Unlike many other molds, Cladosporium can grow in cool areas. It usually appears on fabrics, such as carpets or curtains, and on wood surfaces, like cabinets and floorboards. It has a characteristic black or olive-green color and can cause a variety of respiratory problems.
• Penicillium can be found on various materials that have been in contact with water, including carpeting, wallpaper, insulation, and mattresses. It looks blue or green and produces strong musty odors. Penicillium spores spread very easily and often result in allergic reactions.
• Stachybotrys chartarum, often referred to as “black mold” because of its color, is the most dangerous kind of household mold – it produces toxic compounds called mycotoxins that can cause severe health problems, such as allergic symptoms, breathing problems, asthma attacks, chronic sinus infections, fatigue, and depression. The toxic black mold has a characteristic musty odor and usually grows in areas that are constantly damp – around leaky pipes, inside air conditioning ducts where there is a lot of condensation, etc.

How to Tell the Difference Between Mold and Mildew?

There are several crucial differences in the appearance and properties of mold and mildew that will help you recognize the type of indoor fungi you have discovered in your home:

Differences Between Mold and Mildew in Appearance

Typically, mold appears black or green while mildew looks gray or white. Yet, there are some more detailed specifics in the appearance of the fungi:

• Mildew usually grows in a flat pattern and appears either powdery or fluffy. It can be easily identified as a patch of white, gray, or yellowish fungus that is lying on the surface of a moist area. Mildew usually turns black or brown over time;
• Mold is usually fuzzy or slimy in appearance. It appears as irregularly shaped spots that can have different colors – blue, green, yellow, brown, gray, black, or white. Oftentimes, surfaces that are covered in mold begin to rot.

Differences in the Effects of Mold and Mildew

Both mold and mildew need to be taken care of in a quick and efficient manner as they can cause property damage and health issues over time:

• Mildew usually affects plants and crops but can appear in moist areas of your home on walls, wallpaper, and wood. Mildew can cause damage to affected surfaces and materials, but it is not as damaging as mold. If it develops indoors, it can also pose health risks. When inhaled, mildew spores cause coughing, headache, sore throat, and respiratory problems, but these issues are often less severe than those caused by mold.
• Mold can result in considerable structural damage when left unattended for a long time. Prolonged exposure can cause a variety of health problems, depending on the strain of mold. Common health effects of mold include various allergic reactions (sneezing, skin irritation, irritation of the eyes and throat, nasal congestion, etc.), respiratory problems (difficulty breathing, coughing, pneumonia, asthma attacks), heart problems, migraines, inflammation and pain in the joints, dizziness, depression, and extreme fatigue. The mycotoxins produced by black mold are particularly harmful and may have severe long-term health effects, especially in younger kids, seniors, and individuals with weak immune systems.

Mold and Mildew Testing

If you are not sure what type of fungi you are dealing with, you can call a professional to have them tested:

• Home testing – The easiest way to identify whether you have mold or mildew in your home is to drip a few drops of household bleach on the affected area. Wait for about five minutes and inspect the spot:

– If it has become lighter, you are dealing with mildew;

– If it remains dark, it is mold that has developed in your home.

• Professional testing – If you suspect considerable mold growth in your property or if you aren’t sure about the best course of action to take, your best bet is to ask for professional assistance. Contact a trustworthy mold removal company in your area for inspection, testing, evaluation, and efficient mold removal services that will help you get rid of the harmful fungi in your home.

How to Get Rid of Mold and Mildew?

Mold and mildew form under specific conditions, including the presence of water or moisture and organic food sources. If you can prevent mold and mildew from appearing in your home in the first place, you’ll save yourself a lot of hassle and headaches.

How to Prevent Mold and Mildew

The most efficient way to prevent mold and mildew in your home is to keep all the areas dry and moisture-free. Maintain a humidity level of about 30-50% inside the house (a dehumidifier provides the most advantageous solution for ensuring appropriate indoor humidity), have your heating and cooling systems regularly inspected, keep air ducts clean and in good condition, ensure good air circulation inside the premises, and fix any leaks in the bathroom, kitchen, or other areas. Remove any mildew-affected plants and weeds as soon as you notice them in order to prevent a mildew infestation.

How to Clean Mold and Mildew

Mildew is a surface fungus that can be efficiently treated with a commercially available cleaner, or a solution of vinegar and water, and a scrubbing brush. Just make sure you work in a well-ventilated area and wear a facial mask to prevent inhaling mildew spores, as well as to avoid breathing in fumes given off by the cleaning product you use. It is also advisable to put on rubber gloves in order to protect your hands both from the mildew and from the cleaning agent. Clean all the surrounding areas carefully as well, to ensure that all the fungi have been successfully removed.

Mold, on the other hand, attaches to the affected materials with microscopic filaments that penetrate beneath the surface. The mold spores spread very easily and can survive in extreme conditions, so they can quickly affect large areas of your property and result in permanent damage. Moreover, despite its characteristic musty smell, mold is only visible to the eye when the colonies start growing, so early detection and prevention is very difficult. Worst of all, mold can have a very negative impact on your health, so DIY removal attempts are not recommendable if it covers a large area or appears in areas that are very difficult to access and treat.

Taking the following steps can help you remove mold and mildew:

• Remove materials that have been damaged such as fabrics, wallpaper, wood, and drywall. These materials must be carefully placed in garbage bags and immediately sealed to prevent the spread of spores.
• Spray mildew and dry mold with clean water to help prevent the spores from spreading.
• Use either a solution of mild soap and water or a solution of vinegar and water and spray the affected areas.
• Use a brush or sponge to remove the mold or mildew. Make sure to change the solution and sponges often to avoid redepositing mold or mildew spores.
• Give the area at least 48 hours to dry. If you did not remove all of the mold or mildew, you can either repeat the process or call a mold remediation professional.

SEE ALSO: Important Reasons to Have a Professional Remove Mold from Your Home

Professional Mold Removal

The safest and most efficient way to get rid of a mold problem is to call a mold remediation company. An experienced professional will come to your home to assess the situation and determine the type of mold or mildew in your property, as well as the extent of the damage. Then, the most appropriate actions will be taken to remove the harmful fungi and prevent its appearance in the near future. The experts will help ensure not only the safety of your living environment, but also your peace of mind.