Mold + Mildew: Cleaning and Prevention

Most of us have found ourselves ferociously scrubbing a pesky spot of recurring dirt in the corner bathtub before realizing, "Ew! That's mold!" Coming to terms with what you have found may be the biggest feat. Once you know, don't worry -- there are tricks to annihilate mold and mildew whether it's lurking on carpet, tiles or wood floors.

First, you'll want to know the difference between mold and mildew, which are both fungal growths. Molds are microscopi fungi that most commonly grow by feeding on clothes, paper or damp surfaces. Mildew permeates when exposed to humid, dark conditions.

To prepare for the dirty work, invest in some rubber dishwashing gloves and a surgical mask to make sure you are safe (though less-than-stylish) on the job.