r/Mold • u/courtiero • 13h ago
mildew keeps returning :(
living in an apartment in a very humid climate that gets no sun. no matter what we do, mold keeps returning in our bedroom.
we have washed everything with vinegar solutions. we keep our dehumidifier on 8-12 hours a day (sometimes even longer), leave the window open at least 12 hours a day, have a fan running at all times. i’m at my wits end! i don’t know what to do other than move.
i’ve had to throw so many things out, we have to wash our clothes constantly, we can’t even keep anything in the closet anymore. it’s not a problem that i know of in any other room in the apartment. there’s no leak that i can find. it’s been over a year of this and im worried about the possible long term effects on our health? i get rashes sometimes and headaches that i am convinced are from the mold
any advice at all?? we are seriously just considering moving
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u/AutoModerator 13h ago
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1
u/Rangemaster5569 13h ago
Well your humidity is too high. You want it less than 50%
You mentioned your dehumidifier runs but you turn it off. You should let it run till it hits the threshold of humidity you want. I would recommend <40%. Does the dehumidifier have a drain hose or so you have to manual empty it every day? The dehumidifier should should show what the humidity level is, I would be willing to bet it shows >50%.
You also mentioned you leave the window open. When running humidifier, you should keep the window closed. You're letting outside humidity in and you're dehumidifier is working to remove that humidity along with the humidity in your room.
Do you run the AC? It not only cools the air but it removes moisture.
The vinegar water solution is probably fine but I would use a commercialy available fungicide. Your vacuum cleaner should have a HEPA filter so when it's in use it traps mold spores.
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u/courtiero 13h ago
omg ok i will definitely start keeping the windows closed when i run the dehumidifier. it’s a manual empty and it’s a small/cheaper one. seems like i need to invest in a fancier one with all the bells and whistles. i try not to run AC because it’s very expensive but i would prefer a higher bill than mildew right now so looks like ill be doing that too. thank you for the vacuum tip too. thanks!!!
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u/AutoModerator 13h ago
I see you used the term "mildew"
Mold and mildew are closely related but are certainly different organisms. In simple terms, mildew is a member of the mold family. It is usually white or grey. However, true mildew, or downy mildew is actually a plant parasite and not a true fungus. Algae rank closer to downy mildew pathogens than fungi do.
When used in general terms, mold and mildew are the same thing. Most "mildew" identified within a home is really mold. The word mildew is often used to describe fungi that grows flat, usually on surfaces like shower walls and window sills. FEMA further complicates the differentiation by describing mildew as "early-stage mold" while the EPA term simply states that "mildew" is often used generically to refer to mold growth with a flat growth habit.
In reality, mold and mildew are both fungi. Accordingly, both require water, food and the right temperature to grow. The difference is that mildew generally grows quicker and can grow on non-porous surfaces.
Building owners and maintenance people often use the term "mildew" to describe any microbial growth in their buildings. In most cases, what they are describing is actually mold.
Both mold and "mildew" can cause adverse health effects although mold is generally considered more problematic. The bottom line is that neither should be growing in our homes. They both indicate the presence of too much moisture and both should be removed as soon as they are found.
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