Thanks to weeks of unremitting humidity and high temperatures, mildew is rampant throughout the land.

While mildew is inescapable in our climate, there is much which can be done to prevent and control it -- once you understand what it is.

Mildew is a growth produced by moulds -- simple plants belonging to the fungi family which are always in the air. Moulds that cause mildew -- a fuzzy, greyish growth -- need moisture and certain temperatures to grow. They flourish in damp, warm, poorly aired and lit areas such as clothes closets, clothes hampers, cellars, and on shower curtains, appliances and tiles.

As the moulds grow, they are not only unsightly and unhealthy, but can cause considerable damage, discolouring almost everything and, if left untreated, eating into fabrics so severely that they rot and fall apart.

Mildew can also aggravate or initiate respiratory infections.

Prevention of mildew involves getting rid of dampness and musty odours and keeping things clean. Here are some guidelines: THE HOME -- GENERAL Dampness is caused by condensation of warm, moist air on cooler surfaces.

Remove the cause by: drying the air, heating and adequate ventilation.

Repair structural problems, such as cracks and leaks. Use waterproofing treatments where necessary. Exhaust vented clothes dryers to the outside to prevent condensation of moisture.

Dry the air with air conditioners or dehumidifiers, keeping windows and doors closed to make them effective.

Ventilation: Air movement is very important in removing excessive moisture.

Incidentally, cooking, laundering and bathing may add two or more gallons of water to the house a day unless ventilation is adequate.

Air the house as much as possible. Take full advantage of natural breezes by opening shutters and windows when at home. Use electric fans when there's no breeze. Leave windows up and shutters drawn to allow ventilation at night and when away from home.

Dry up any wet areas quickly (e.g. rain-soaked carpeting or drapes, spills on upholstered furniture and rugs). Blot up excess water with an old towel and use a hair dryer to finish the drying process.

KITCHEN Keep all areas where mildew is likely to grow scrupulously clean. Wipe down countertops and appliances after each use -- particularly mixers, blenders, food processors, juicers, can openers. Also walls where splatters may have occurred.

Use old toothbrush and bleach solution to scrub away mould around taps, sink drainers and cutlery baskets, refrigerator gaskets.

Thoroughly dry wooden spoons, spatulas, non-stick cookware before putting away. Rinse and squeeze dry dish cloths and sponges, hang to dry. Hang wet dish cloths up to dry.

BATHROOM Remove mould from tile grouting and porcelain surfaces with bleach. Wipe rim of toilet bowl and seat with bleach or product containing bleach. Leave bowl cleanser in toilet bowl (bleach will do fine) for some hours (overnight is best).

Stretch out wet shower curtain after every use. A folded, wet shower curtain promotes mildew growth. Wash or scrub shower curtain regularly in bleach and detergent solution, rinse thoroughly and spread out to dry.

4. Hang wet towels, face cloths and bath mats over towel/shower rods immediately after use, or transfer to clothes line to dry. Don't put any damp or wet items into a clothes hamper.

BEDROOM Air pillows regularly -- and mattress if you can manage it -- out of doors in hot sunshine to dry out dampness. Beat with a heavy stick or broom to release dust and mould spores.

Cover pillows with a zippered ticking undercover before putting on top pillow case. For best protection from body moisture and oils, cover the ticking case with an under pillow case and then a top case, changing the latter at least weekly, and the second case intermittently.

Protect mattress from moisture and body oils by covering top surface with a quilted mattress pad. Mattress pads should be washed regularly and thoroughly dried before being put back on the mattress.

For best mattress protection, cover first with zippered case (fabric or vinyl) which fits like a large sack over the entire mattress. Then put the mattress pad on top.

Change both sheets at least weekly.

Use electric underblanket throughout winter to dry out dampness.

LAUNDRY Don't attempt to dry any form of wet clothing indoors. The process is so slow that the clothes will smell and mildew long before they dry. Hang everything out of doors or put it in a dryer.

Similarly, do not leave wet laundry bundled up to hang up the following day.

It will sour very quickly, particularly in summer, and the smell will only go away by washing the clothes all over again.

CLOTHING, CLOTHES CLOSETS Poorly ventilated closets get musty and damp during continued wet weather and high humidity. Ventilate naturally by leaving doors open, or keep doors closed and burn either an electric light bulb or closet heater continuously. Keep both of these well clear of combustibles.

Hang clothes loosely so air can circulate around them.

Don't re-hang dirty, damp or wet clothing in closet. Dirty clothes, particularly ones on which food has been spilled, will soon mildew. Wash and dry clean clothes often, particularly before storing at season's end.

SHOES AND HANDBAGS Leather is particularly attractive to mould. Air shoes, sole side up, in warm sunshine and remove mildew with a brush or soft cloth. Air leather handbags and belts, then polish with shoe creme before putting away. During warm, humid weather protect stored items by rubbing with paradichlorobenzene or parformaldehyde. Do not inhale fumes, and keep paradichlorobenzene away from plastic. After treating, allow articles to dry, then wrap and seal before storing. Do not put shoes away damp or wet.

FOOD/GARBAGE Cakes, sweet breads and yeast products go mouldy quickly in summer. Store bread, pastry, rolls, cake in the refrigerator, and cover all food before storing. Throw old food away.

Regularly wipe necks of condiment, jam, honey bottles.

Dispose of garbage promptly in biodegradable plastic bags. Regularly wash out interiors of waste baskets and garbage containers with solution of detergent and bleach to kill mould and germs. Dry thoroughly before lining with plastic or paper bag.

Further information on mildew is available from the Consumer Affairs Bureau .

MILDEW MADNESS -- Weeks of warm, humid weather wreak havoc on clothing. These items, stored in a traditional closet, emerged covered in the thick greyish mould that thrives in dark, damp places.