Isnt it awful to find a mildewed washcloth in the bathroom closet, or a mildewed sweatshirt that was left in the garage after someone washed the car? While you can try to remove mildew using various commercial products or home-made cleaners, chances are you may never get rid of it, and youll have to throw away the item, leading to the purchase of replacements or doing without for a while.

Mildew is even spoken against in the Old Testament, where it could creep into clothing and even wall structures. Following treatment if the mildew remained, the structure could be condemned and vacated.

To prevent mildew from growing in your home, here are a few tips that you may want to consider:

1. Fix leaky faucets. Remind everyone in the house to turn off the spigots after using them, indoors or outside. Then, dont delay in getting leaks fixed by applying a new nut or replacing rusted fixtures. Watch for signs of drips overnight that could signal a slow leak. Wipe up standing water from spigots, indoor laundry hoses, or around drains to prevent mildew formation.

2. Clean laundry, sink, and tub fixtures weekly. Use antibacterial cleaning agents if you wish, but even a mild soap solution will help to get rid of bacteria and fungus that can contribute to mildew buildup. Its a good idea to air out these areas well by opening windows or running the whole-house fan to dry up lingering moisture. Keep your indoor thermostat set at a lower temperature (below 70 degrees is best) to prohibit the growth of any unwholesome organisms.

3. Maintain water-based appliances. Check your hot water tank, tub fixtures, and laundry equipment for possible weak areas that could become leaks. Tape them before they actually start dripping water. Replace hoses or other parts that are starting to rot or become worn. Look for standing water and wipe it up promptly.

4. Tell everyone to spread out wet clothing that has been caught in a rain shower or snowstorm, or perhaps even childrens play in or near a pool, on a laundry room table or bar so it can air out. Leaving wet clothing in a pile or wadded tightly to prevent air circulating through it will cause mildew. Boots should likewise be aired out by removing or turning inside out the interior lining.

5. Dont let wet laundry sit for very long. Bundle it immediately from washer to dryer. You may want to wash damp bathroom towels promptly rather than putting them in a laundry basket with other dry dirty clothes. Have everyone hang up towels and washcloths after bathing rather than leaving them lying in piles.

With a little bit of forethought and effort, you can defeat mildew before it takes over your home. Enlist the help of each family member to keep your household mildew-free.