Mildew Vs. Mold

If you have dark spots creeping down your shower wall or notice a musty odor when you enter the basement, there's a good chance that mold or mildew has decided to set up shop in your home.

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If you're not a fungus aficionado, determining whether you have mildew or mold may be a bit challenging. Learning the subtle differences between the two, such as color, smell and texture, can make it easier to determine the best course of action for treatment and removal.

What Is Mold?

Mold is a type of fungus that needs moisture to grow. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, mold can be found anywhere moisture and oxygen are present. Mold produces spores that float through the air, indoors and outdoors. When these spores settle on a moist surface, they start to eat away at that surface to grow and spread. Mold growths may appear on organic matter — like paper, food and wood — but also on manmade surfaces, like carpeting and drywall.

What Is Mildew?

Mildew is a type of mold or fungus that thrives in moist, humid environments. There are many different types of mildew fungi species, with the two most common being downy mildew and powdery mildew. Downy mildew typically grows on crops and vegetables, while powdery mildew grows on plants. Both types also grow on flat surfaces such as shower walls, basement floors and windowsills when the spores make their way inside a home and multiply in response to excess moisture.

What Is the Difference Between Mildew and Mold?

When comparing mildew and mold, there are several differences to note. Mildew and mold are both types of fungi that thrive in moist, humid environments. There are many different species of mold and mildew, and both types can grow indoors. Typical household mold is dark in color with a strong, pungent odor, and household mildew is generally gray to light brown with a sour, musty odor.

Mold grows into materials such as paper, wood and drywall, while mildew grows on top of flat surfaces. It's important to take steps to promptly remove mold and mildew once detected, as both types can cause significant damage to surfaces and structures.

How Do I Know If It’s Mold or Mildew?

While both mold and mildew are types of fungi, they can often be distinguished by visual examination and smell.

What Do Mold and Mildew Look Like?

Non-mildew mold is usually dark red, black, green or blue, with a thick or fuzzy texture. If you have mold growth in the bathroom or another space where humidity is present, you may see multiple specks or dots that overlap each other and grow up or down the walls.

Mildew is typically lighter in color with a powdery texture. Unlike mold that can penetrate surfaces, mildew remains on top of surfaces and tends to grow outward. Mildew colors range from powdery gray to light brown. It's generally easier to remove than other types of mold.

Mildew Vs. Mold Smell

Mildew has a distinct musty odor that you may smell in your bathroom, laundry room or any other space where high levels of moisture are present. It can also develop on wet laundry that's been sitting in the basket for a few days or on wet towels that hang in spaces that aren't properly ventilated.

Mold odors are stronger and more pungent than mildew. If you have mold growing in your home, you may notice a meaty or earthy odor in rooms with excess moisture or humidity, or it may smell like rotting garbage or wood.

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Is Mildew as Harmful as Mold?

All types of mold and mildew are considered harmful to human health and structures. Exposure to mold and mildew spores can cause allergic symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, skin rashes and more, particularly in individuals with sensitivities. Certain kinds of mold are considered "toxic" and can cause serious illnesses or even death.

Mold and mildew growth are both equally harmful to structures. All types of mold and mildew can cause permanent damage to wood and drywall, especially when the spores multiply and spread. The main difference between mold and mildew in terms of structural damage is the fact that mildew is a surface fungus, while mold can actually penetrate structures. Both spore forms tend to thrive and multiply in damp areas where moisture and humidity are present.

Can Mildew Turn Into Mold?

Since mildew is already considered a type of mold or fungi, there's no way for it to turn into a new type of mold. Mildew is similar to other types of mold in that it produces spores that can easily multiply, but there's no risk of it evolving into a more toxic form of mold. Other types of mold and mildew can also grow in the same areas, but the types aren't interchangeable.