On the question “how to clean mildew off porch”, you need to know what porch you have. Is it a wooden porch or a concrete porch? If it is a wooden porch, use vinegar or bleach to clean it.
When cleaning the mildew off the concrete, you can power wash the cement.
A porch is a lovely addition to your home. It makes your home more welcoming and more pleasing to look at, and of course, maintaining it is quite a task.
What Is Mildew?
Mildew is a type of fungus that breeds on surfaces with moisture. It is closely related to mold but differs in colors.
Mildew typically comes in a shade of white, and you may see some spots of white inside your home that you usually ignore because you think it is just a tiny spot, then suddenly the spot becomes big all of a sudden.
That leaves you wondering, how fast does mildew grow? Mildew growth depends on the environment it chooses to grow, but they typically start to grow within 24-48 hours.
What Causes Mildew On Porch?
Since your porch is located outside of your house, you may think it is safe from mildew, but no, you’re mistaken. Your porch is not immune to moisture that helps the mildew grow.
If you have a wooden porch, it is vulnerable to mildew because the wood absorbs the water, which could help grow mildew. Though concrete is not that susceptible to mildew, it can still grow on its surface.
How To Remove Mildew On Wooden Porch
To clean mildew on your wooden porch, you will need vinegar or any mildew removal product that will not corrode the wood.
Start applying the product of your choice on the surface of the wood, then scrub the affected area with a firm wired brush and rinse thoroughly. Repeat the process until all the mildew on the porch is off.
You can also use bleach on cleaning wood, dilute the bleach on a gallon of water, and put it in a spray bottle. Once in the bottle, spray it on the affected area and brush and rinse the area.
How To Remove Mildew On Concrete Porch
On how to clean mildew from concrete, you might want to clear the porch area first. Ensure that the non-mildew-affected things are out of the way and nothing is left on the floor.
Next, you might want a mildew removal product. There is a lot in your local store to freely choose what product you want.
You could also use vinegar or bleach. Follow the same procedure mentioned above for the steps.
How To Prevent Mildew Growth On Porch
For you to keep your porch mildew-free, here are some easy steps that you can take.
Step #1. Have proper ventilation
Making sure that the surface has proper ventilation can help circulate the moisture. Removing unnecessary tools, boxes, or furniture on your porch would allow proper airflow.
There will be no moisture built up with proper ventilation, and the mildew will have no breeding ground.
Step #2. Remove barriers to sunlight
Sunlight is one of the natural killers of spores that may lead to mildew growth. Hence, ensuring proper sunlight on your porch can help prevent mildew growth.
Remove tall boxes or plants that can block the sunlight from your porch. It is best to ensure that the porch can have sunlight at least once a day to keep spores and moisture away.
Step #3. Clean regularly
Cleaning your porch at least once a week will help you prevent mildew growth. Mildew feed on organic compounds; thus, sweeping and dusting can help remove them.
Removing the food source of the mildew can prevent them from breeding on your porch.
Step #4. Paint the surface of your porch
Painting your porch with some mildew-resistant paint can help you make sure that mildew cannot grow there. This paint can be found in any nearby paint shop in your area.
Step #5. Remove any early signs of mildew
Prevention is always better than cure. That is why when you detect any early sign of mildew from your porch, you should remove them as soon as possible.
In removing them, you will need to mix 1 cup of bleach with 1 gallon of water, apply the bleach-water mixture to the affected area with a sponge, and rinse it thoroughly.
What Are The Health Risks Of Mold?
People with allergies to mold and mildew may be vulnerable to having severe health complications when inhaled. Mildew produces an allergy-like symptom to the individual that inhaled it and may have a severe effect when exposed for a prolonged period.
Having a robust immune system may not guarantee that you will not experience any health complications. When cleaning mold, you should always make sure that you are wearing protective material for you to prevent health complications whether you have a robust immune system or not.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to clean mildew off porch and simple ways to prevent it, you can keep your home’s exterior squeaky clean and presentable!