Keep things dry. At the first sign of mildew, find the source of moisture. Is it from a leak in the basement or roof or a spill? To keep your home dry:

• Wipe down shower walls after taking a shower.

• Cover pots while cooking.

• Use air conditioning to remove moisture from the air.

• Use exhaust fans in the kitchen, basement and bathroom.

• Waterproof the basement. Seal any cracks in the foundation.

• Be sure you have air movement in all areas.

• Open windows to let outside air in, if the weather is nice.

• Leave closet doors and dresser drawers open sometimes.

• Be sure clothing is dry when stored. Hang it loosely in the closet.

• Store items where they will not get damp.

If mould attacks your clothes or fabrics despite all preventive measures, it is important to remove the spots as soon as you discover them. Do not give the mould growth a chance to weaken or rot the material. Brush off any surface growth outdoors to prevent scattering the mildew spores in the house. Sun and air fabrics thoroughly. If any mildew spots remain, treat washable articles as described below. Get non-washable articles drycleaned.

Wash mildew-stained articles at once with soap or detergent and water. Rinse well and dry in the sun. If any stain remains, use lemon juice and salt or household bleach. If you use bleach, be sure to test coloured fabrics for colourfastness.

Lemon juice and salt: Moisten stain with a mixture of lemon juice and salt. Spread in the sun to bleach. Rinse thoroughly.

Chlorine bleach: Mix 2 tablespoons of liquid chlorine bleach with about 1 litres of warm water. Sponge the stain or soak the stained area in the solution. Allow the bleach to remain on the fabric from 5 to 15 minutes, then rinse. An additional soaking in weak vinegar (2 tablespoons to a cup of water) will stop further bleach action. Never use a chlorine bleach on silk or wool fabrics. Some fabrics with wash-and-wear or other special finishes may be damaged by chlorine bleaches. Articles with such finishes usually have a warning on the label.

First, remove loose mould from outer coverings of upholstered articles, mattresses, rugs and carpets by brushing with a broom. Do this outdoors to prevent scattering mildew spores in the house.

Run a vacuum cleaner attachment over the surface of the article to draw out more of the mould. Remember that the mould spores are being drawn into the bag of the vacuum cleaner. If the appliance has a disposable bag, remove and dispose of it immediately. If not, empty the bag carefully (preferably outdoors) to avoid scattering mould spores in the house.

Do everything conveniently possible to dry the article—use a blower or fan to carry away moist air. Sun and air the article to stop further mould growth.

If mildew remains on upholstered articles or mattresses, sponge lightly with thick suds of soap or detergent and wipe with a clean, damp cloth. In doing this, get as little water on the fabric as possible so that the filling does not get wet.

Another way to remove mildew on upholstered furniture is to wipe it with a cloth moistened with diluted alcohol (1 cup denatured or rubbing alcohol to 1 cup water). Dry the article thoroughly.

Sponge mildewed rugs and carpets with thick suds or a fabric softener. Then remove the suds by wiping with a cloth dampened with clear water. Dry in the sun, if possible.

If moulds have grown into the inner part of an article, send it to a reliable pest control service.

Leather under the weather

To remove mildew from leather goods, wipe with a cloth moistened with diluted alcohol (1 cup denatured or rubbing alcohol to 1 cup water). Dry in a current of air. If mildew remains, wash with thick suds made from a mild soap or detergent. Then wipe with a damp cloth and dry in an airy place. Polish leather shoes and luggage with a good wax .

Shoes contaminated with fungus growth on the inside often develop unpleasant odours, and coloured mildew shows up on the inner sole and linings and up into the toe. Before using the shoes or luggage, clean and air them thoroughly.

Use heat and increase the air circulation to get mildewed wood as dry as possible. Badly infected wood may need to be replaced, preferably with wood that has been treated or that is naturally decay-resistant.

Thoroughly clean mildewed surfaces, woodwork and other wooden parts by scrubbing them with a mild alkali, such as washing soda —8 to 10 tablespoons to a gallon (3.8 litres) of water. Rinse the wood well with clear water and allow the wood to dry thoroughly. Then apply a mildew-resistant paint.

If the mould has grown under the paint or varnish, remove all the paint or varnish from the stained areas. Then scrub with a solution containing 8 to 10 tablespoons of trisodium phosphate and 1 cup of household chlorine bleach to a gallon of water. Stronger solutions can be used, if necessary. Wear rubber gloves.

Air the books in the nooks

Remove any dry, loose mould from paper with a clean, soft cloth. If mildewed paper is damp, dry it first in an airy place.

If mildewed paper is washable, wipe it gently with a cloth wrung out of thick soap suds, then with clear water. Take care not to wet the paper more than necessary. Do not scrub it. Finally pat with a soft, dry cloth. If stains remain, treat with a solution of household bleach, then sponge with a cloth wrung out of clear water. For small stains, an eraser may be useful.

"Fan out" pages of books to increase air circulation. If the books are very damp, sprinkle cornstarch or talcum powder between the leaves to absorb the moisture. Leave starch or powder on for several hours, then brush off.

— Compiled by Chetna Banerjee