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" We&amp;#039;ve all seen them \u2014 those white, powdery spots that coat cardboard boxes stashed in a damp basement or black gunk that lives in the corners of the shower. It&amp;#039;s mildew \u2014 a mold that feeds off fabric, wallpaper, ceiling tiles, wood, or any organic surface exposed to excessive water and in areas with poor ventilation and no direct sunlight. A small amount generally won&amp;#039;t make you sick, but if you don&amp;#039;t stop it in its tracks, the mold is guaranteed to spread. &amp;quot;It can ruin household valuables and even trigger an allergic reaction,&amp;quot; says Carolyn Forte, director of the Good Housekeeping Research Institute Home Appliances and Cleaning Products department. Here&amp;#039;s how to tackle it in a few common places: RELATED: 6 Biggest Mistakes You Make Cleaning Your Bathroom \u00BB Musty Towels, Shower Curtains, and Other Washable Fabrics Is that wet towel you left in your gym bag speckled? First, take it outside, brush off the mildew spores (a stiff brush works best), and sun-dry the item for about three hours. Then, machine-wash whites with chlorine bleach or presoak colored fabrics for 30 minutes in liquid nonchlorine bleach. Rinse and launder. (This method also works on plastic shower curtains and liners; just skip the first step and launder in warm water using the gentle cycle.) Old Books To rescue old books, air the pages outside on a sunny, breezy day for three (or more) hours. Once they&amp;#039;re dry to the touch, brush off the mildew with a dry cloth. To remove any remaining stains on books, wipe gently with a soft cloth dipped in a solution of 1 part chlorine bleach to 4 parts water (wring it well first). Repeat the process using another soft cloth dipped in clear water to gently sponge away the chlorine; don&amp;#039;t rub or oversaturate the paper. Pat or fan-dry the pages. You can speed up the drying process by sprinkling cornstarch (or baking soda) on each page to absorb remaining moisture, then wipe it off with a soft, clean paintbrush. Mattresses and Upholstery To remove that musty smell caused by mildew, try this simple four-step plan: 1. Vacuum the entire item and toss the vacuum filter and the bag when you&amp;#039;re through. (Mildew spores can escape into the air the next time you vacuum.) 2. If any stains remain, sponge the surface with a cloth moistened in 1 cup rubbing alcohol and 1 cup warm water. (Note: First do a spot test on a hidden area to make sure the fabric won&amp;#039;t be damaged.) To rinse, do a second wipe-down with a water-dampened sponge. 3. Sun-dry the sofa or mattress for several hours to remove odors, or use a fan. 4. Spray with a disinfectant like Lysol to kill spores that can linger in thick padding. If your furniture still smells musty or stains reappear, throw the item out. RELATED: 7 Organizing Solutions for Your Bathroom \u00BB Painted Walls Mildew can quickly take root on walls, especially if the ventilation is poor. At the first sign of growth, mix 3/4 cup bleach with one gallon of water. Wearing rubber gloves, apply with a soft scrub brush. Let the solution penetrate for 15 minutes before rinsing with clear water. Dry thoroughly with a fan for about a half hour. If stains reappear, you may have to replace the wallboard. Cabinets, Furniture, and More Wood Surfaces To remove mildew from wood cabinets, paneling, or furniture, vacuum the loose spores with the soft brush attachment. Then clean small areas using a well-wrung cloth dipped in a few squirts of dishwashing detergent and a gallon of water. Rinse with a clean water-dampened cloth and dry immediately with a fan. (Don&amp;#039;t oversaturate the wood; it could warp and damage the finish.) If a cloudy film forms, wipe the area with mineral spirits. Otherwise, apply a thin coat of paste wax to restore the shine and protect the finish. Pro Tip: To reduce moisture \u2014 and prevent mold buildup \u2014 install a dehumidifier in your home. NEXT: The Best Multi-Purpose Cleaners for Any Mess \u00BB Photo: Ursula Alter/Getty      "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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