Knowing how to clean window sills with mildew may benefit everyone, especially those who love staying near windows while sitting and sipping hot coffee on a rainy day. How will you enjoy the scenery outside if your window sills are full of mildew?
Worry no more because having a clean window is always possible with the proper cleaning process! This article will guide you to the best yet easy and hassle-free steps in keeping your window sills free from mildew.
You only need to prepare your mixture, scrub the molds, and let them dry. Continue reading this article to know more!
What Causes Mildew Growth In Window Sills?
There are various reasons why window sills often get infected by mildew growth. Some of these causes are the following:
- Leaking rain
- Lack of proper ventilation
- Condensation due to different temperatures inside and outside the windows
- Moisture (especially in kitchens or bathrooms)
- Poor window seals
- Failure to clean the windows regularly (dust may turn to mold growth)
Ensure to prevent these things and repair damages immediately to avoid mildew growth in window sills. You can check this guide about what causes mold on windows to know more.
How Can You Clean Mildew In Window Sills?
Having mildew in window sills may be one of the most annoying things one can experience in the house. Luckily, four easy steps may help everyone solve this mold growth problem!
Step #1. Get your materials ready
Before starting the cleaning process, ensure to gather all the needed materials. You may need clean rags and a non-abrasive brush.
Aside from that, you can choose which cleaning agent or mixture you want to use for the cleaning process. Some of the effective cleaning solutions are as follows:
- Bleach water (one part of bleach to three parts of water)
- Hot soapy water
- White vinegar
- Borax
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Baking soda
- Ammonia; and
- Tea tree oil
You can also buy cleaning agents in the nearest stores.
Step #2. Wear protective gears for safety
Your safety is a must when doing household maintenance. Before doing the cleaning works, ensure to wear protective gear, such as rubber gloves, a dust mask, and safety goggles.
It is also better to cover the floor with a rag or cloth to catch any falling mold. Lastly, please open the windows to have adequate ventilation to let dangerous spores escape and avoid the possible worst effects of ingesting them.
Step #3. Scrub off the mildew
Dip your non-abrasive brush into the cleaning mixture you have chosen earlier. Then, use it to scrub the mildew off your window sills.
Remember that you need to dip your brush regularly to remove the mildew. After that, you will need to use a clean rag to wipe off the molds.
Step #4. Let your window sills dry out
Lastly, you will need to let your window sills dry out. Please remember not to close the window if it has not dried up yet.
If there is still residue found on the window sill, it is best to wipe them. You can also repeat the process if the mildew does not come off on your first try.
How Can You Prevent Mildew Growth In Window Sills?
Preventing mildew growth is the best way to escape this annoying problem. However, there are many ways on how you can do that.
With that, this article offers you two tips and strategies for preventing mildew in window sills.
Tip #1. Control humidity
First, you may want to purchase or borrow a hygrometer to check the humidity levels inside your house. To prevent condensation, you will need to achieve an optimum humidity level between 40% to 50% and not more than 40% during winter or cold seasons.
Moreover, you can also use a dehumidifier to extract the moisture from the air. It is also best to wipe windows, glass, frames, and sills to remove the moisture due to the condensation.
Tip #2. Keep window sills clean
Keeping your window sills clean is the easiest way to prevent mildew growth. To do this, you will need to check your windows once or twice a week for regular maintenance.
Ensure to remove the dust regularly because it can turn to mold when not cleaned. Moreover, please remember to keep your window sills dry always.
You can check this article about how to prevent mold around windows to know more about this process!
Conclusion
Mildew can always grow in dark and moist places. When not cleaned and treated immediately, they can bring various health effects that may harm people in a household.
Luckily, removing mildew from such places as your window sills has become hassle-free. You only need to prepare the necessary materials, scrub the mold off the sills, wipe the residue, and let it dry.
However, always remember to keep yourself safe while working on this problem. Wear protective gears before mixing solutions and coming in contact with molds.
Since you have read this article about how to clean window sills with mildew, you can now start working on yours!