How to Stay Ahead of Mildew

If they want to keep their pride and joy in as good a condition as possible, boat owners learn early on that there are certain nuisances that will keep coming back if they don’t stay ahead of them. One such pain in the stern is mildew. Walk into a local chandlery and you’ll find a plethora of products, some of which claim to clean mildew stains, while others say they’ll kill mildew. We’ll look at some products developed to deal with mildew after it forms and ways to create an environment that will be less likely to help mildew grow. Mold and mildew are the result fungi growing. Mildew forms on a surface like a shower stall, boat seat and other areas where moisture levels are higher. Mold includes many species of microscopic fungi that can thrive on any organic matter, including clothing, leather, and paper — as well as on cabin bulkheads and headliners in boats. “Mildew is the result of not getting an area dried out,” said Mike Lightman, owner of Odor Removal Experts in Tustin, CA. “It’s not the mildew that prohibits you from drying out an area.” Lightman said that mildew can create foul odors in areas from heads to...