How to Kill Mildew With Ultraviolet Light

Ever walk into a room or put on a shirt and immediately notice a musty odor? That’s the smell of mildew, a type of mold that grows on damp, warm surfaces. Not only is the distinctive smell a dead giveaway, you can usually spot mildew. It grows quickly, looks like a stain and appears in a variety of colors — black, gray, orange, red or white. The use of an ultraviolet light is one very effective way of inhibiting and possibly killing mildew. UV light is readily available, whether using sunlight or a germicidal lamp.

Things You'll Need

• Sunlight
• Mildew killing solution made with bleach
• Air purifier (optional)
• Germicidal lamp

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Instructions

Using Sunlight

• 1

  Place the affected material in direct sunlight for no more than 30 minutes.

• 2

  Vacuum the location surrounding where you found the mildew. For example, sweep shelves, flooring, walls, the ceiling and windows.

• 3

  Clean the affected area with a mildew-killing solution made of bleach.

• 4

  Change the environment in the area. Consider adding an air purifier to the room and lower the room’s temperature, if possible. Check for water leaks and have them repaired to reduce any moisture present.

• 5

  Return the object that has been left in the sun to its location inside after the area has been thoroughly cleaned.

Using a Germicidal Lamp

• 6

  Talk to your air-conditioning contractor to find the size and wattage of a lamp needed for your home.

• 7

  Install the lamp in your air ducts. Because of the restricted area in air-duct systems and the specialized tools needed to install a germicidal lamp, the project is best done by a professional.

• 8

  Leave the lamp on continuously. A UV bulb typically lasts 10,000 hours and should be replaced once a year.

• 9

  Clean the germicidal lamp every four months. Keeping the lamp clean will make it last longer.