You walk to your shed to grab a rake, and you notice a musty smell in the cool darkness. Your eyes start to sting and water. Chances are your shed has fallen victim to mold and mildew.

With climate change making for more rain, it’s likely your shed, which was situated just fine years earlier, had been sitting in a part of your yard that is now holding more moisture than it did before. That moisture crept up and has manifested in your shed as those unsightly fungal spots.

But don’t write that shed off yet—at Shed Repair LLC, we know sheds and want to help you make full use of them. Let’s look at the science of mold and mildew and what we can do to remove this fungus.

Ready? Let’s get started!

Table of Contents

Mold vs Mildew

Mold and Mildew Characteristics

Treating and Removing Mold and Mildew

Off-the-Shelf Options

Calling In the Big Guns

Mold vs Mildew

Is there a difference between mold and mildew?

Why, yes! They grow and spread differently, and knowing the difference will help you determine your course of action on tackling this pesky growth. Let’s look at the differences between these organisms. According to the EPA:

  • Mold includes all species of microscopic organisms and fungi that grow in multicellular filaments called hyphae. It results from organic, porous surfaces (in this case, the wood in your shed) exposed to water, moisture, and mold spores. Mold likes dark, damp areas, such as basements or corners of damp sheds.
  • Mildew refers to certain kinds of mold or fungus. The term often refers to mold growth, usually with a flat growth pattern. Mildew results from mold spores sticking to surfaces with condensation and tend to grow on visible surfaces, such as the walls of your shed.

In short, mold is a more general term, and it grows in dark, damp areas, while mildew is a specific type of mold that tends to grow on dark but exposed, moist surfaces.

With these fundamentals in mind, let’s examine why these fungi are troublesome.

 

Mold and Mildew Characteristics

As discussed before, mold and mildew are fungi with distinct characteristics. Here’s how you can tell what you’re looking at:

Mildew

  • Mildew appears flat, dry, and powdery, with white, gray, or light brown color.
  • Mildew usually grows on shower walls, windowsills, and other places with high moisture levels. In sheds, it will likely appear on the walls under an overhang.
  • Indoors, mildew has a distinct, foul odor.
  • Typically, it starts as small dots and grows outward, staying on the surface. Mildew can usually be wiped off, leaving little to no trace.

Mold

  • Mold can look fuzzy, slimy, or raised and comes in many colors, including black, green, pink, red, blue, purple, and orange.
  • Mold tends to grow on organic matter such as clothing, leather, paper, and food (now is a good time to think about whether you tossed those strawberries in the fridge). In structures, it will appear on ceilings, walls, and floors when moisture problems occur. A vivid example of mold growth can be seen in homes that have been through a flood.
  • In unventilated areas, mold produces a strong, musty odor.
  • Mold not only spreads but grows inward and upward. This is where mold presents a more significant challenge, as the inward growth can penetrate porous surfaces, causing damage and making it hard to remove.

Both mold and mildew can cause health problems when the spores are inhaled. Mildew can cause headaches, sore throat, and respiratory problems if left untreated. However, mold’s toxicity effects on health are more severe, causing allergies, wheezing, irritated eyes, and even long-term lung issues. 

Research has indicated that severe toxic mold exposure can result in hallucinations and even neurological damage, so please take mold seriously and act immediately!

Interestingly, not all mold is harmful. Some molds, such as penicillium glaucum (a distant cousin of penicillin), are used in cheese fermentation. Of course, that mold is carefully cultivated and used by professionals in a controlled environment, so dispose of that moldy block of cheddar sitting in the back of your refrigerator for the past few months!

Treating and Removing Mold and Mildew

Because mold and mildew grow differently, they require different cleanup techniques, and in the case of mold, it depends on severity. In both cases, ensure you have a mask (we recommend N-95) to prevent breathing in those spores that will inevitably get airborne as you scrub. Let’s start with a basic solution using household cleaning products:

Mildew

  • As mildew grows on the surface, a household cleaning product should easily remove it. Try using hydrogen peroxide, bleach, or a solution of white vinegar and warm water to clean mildew. You can also use baking soda to scrub mildew remnants away.
  • You can also scrub mildew away with a mix of washing soda (not baking soda) in 1 gallon of warm water. Apply the solution to the surface of the mildew and scrub gently, then rinse and wipe dry.
  • If the mildew proves to be stubborn, you can also sand it away with 150-grit sandpaper or a sanding sponge. You can then wipe away the residue with mild detergent and warm water.
  • Ensure that the area is completely dry before you call it a day. A draft or fan helps with drying.

Mold

  • With an old, dry microfiber cloth, gently wipe away any loose mold or debris from the surface. Make sure not to bring that cloth indoors afterward.
  • Mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle, then spray the mixture directly onto the moldy surface, allowing it to sit for at least 10-15 minutes. Bleach and hydrogen peroxide will also work.
  • Scrub the moldy area in a circular motion, then rinse and wipe down with a damp cloth and sponge.
  • Mix a baking soda paste with a small amount of water for extra mold prevention, then apply the paste to the cleaned area. Scrub gently and rinse with water.
  • For stubborn mold stains, you may need to repeat the cleaning process.
  • Finally, ensure that the area is completely dry. Just like cleaning mildew, a draft or fan speeds up drying.

In fact, your cleaning supplies are a veritable arsenal of mold and mildew-killing agents. Check out this blog for more tips on homemade solutions for clearing unwanted fungi.

Off-The-Shelf Options

Generally, the white vinegar trick is the way to go when cleaning mold from wood. But sometimes, the mold and mildew prove to be a harder nut to crack, and the home remedies do not work. 

There are commercial products designed to eliminate mold and mildew, though you’ll need to pay attention to the label. These products can be specialized, such as a mold killer (biocide or fungicide), cleaner (which is pretty much a disinfectant), mildew stat (to keep it from regrowing), or stain remover

It’s also essential to know the active ingredients—remember not to mix bleach and ammonia! The resultant fumes are highly toxic.

The most popular commercial product for mold removal is RMR Solution’s RMR-141, recommended by housekeeping blogs for removing mold and mildew.

Calling In the Big Guns

You’ve tried household solutions, you’ve bought some commercial solutions, or maybe you just don’t have time or are uncomfortable with dealing with what is essentially a biological booby trap. 

Mold Remediation Specialists will take the work and stress off you, whether inside or outside your home. They can be expensive but thorough and have all the right tools for the job.

Repairing or Replacing the Shed: A shed repair service could remove and replace the shed areas damaged by the fungi. However, there’s a risk that some of the molds might have migrated to other areas of the shed undetected and may crop up again later. 

How Shed Repair, LLC Can Help

Whether you decide to tackle this issue yourself or have a professional take care of it, we hope we’ve equipped you with the knowledge to clean your shed of mold and mildew. 

Alternatively, you could have the entire shed removed or replaced if it was in poor condition or it was time for a change. The advantage is that the infestation gets removed, and you get a fresh start. 

At Shed Repair LLC, we can help with your mold and mildew issues! We are equipped to repair or replace your shed and advise you on how to keep your shed dry and fungi-free.

Sheds are all we do, and we have many happy customers who’ve used us for outdoor storage needs, whether it’s a repair, upgrade, or replacement. We’ll even haul off the old shed so you can enjoy your new one immediately. 

Call us today and let us know how we can help you!