Are mold and mildew different or the same? It's one of the most common misconceptions regarding this indoor contaminant. Here's what you need to know.

In any home, in dark and damp spaces such as basements and bathrooms, you might discover some unwelcome guests, namely mold or mildew. But when it comes to showing either of them the door, you first need to know what you’re dealing with.

So what are mold and mildew? Theresa Schnorbach, sleep scientist from Emma, explains: “While mildew and mold may differ in appearance and preference for where they grow, both are types of fungus, which release spores that could pose a health risk.”

Not only can mold and mildew cause health issues, their presence can affect your sleep as well as cause damage to your home. Getting an air-quality monitor can help you identify whether mold is the root cause of any breathing problems, however it’s always best to tackle the mold directly.

In this guide, we reveal everything you need to know about both mold and mildew, as well as the tools to obliterate both.

How do you identify mold and mildew?

Mold and mildew are types of fungi. Mildew refers to specific types of fungus, which includes some types of molds. You might sometimes hear mildew used as a generic term to refer to mold that has a flat growth. Mold includes all species of microscopic fungi – these grow in the form of multicellular filaments called hyphae.

“It’s important to note that mildew is not a separate entity from mold, but rather a variety of it,” explains Michael Rubino, a mold and air quality expert, environmental wellness advocate, and founder of HomeCleanse. “The term ‘mildew’ describes mold growth that’s light in color and powdery in texture. These mold colonies, often gray, white, or light green, grow in a flat format without much height, distinguishing them from other types of mold.”

Read the full article here: https://www.expertreviews.com/home-essentials/air-treatment/mold-vs-mildew