# Prevent mildew after minor leak?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prevent-mildew-after-minor-leak/541715
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [June 3, 2010, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prevent-mildew-after-minor-leak/541715 "2010-06-03T00:37:04Z")
**Posts on this page:** 3
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@The\_Shroud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Shroud)
#### Post date: [June 3, 2010, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prevent-mildew-after-minor-leak/541715/1 "2010-06-03T00:37:04Z")
So, the bad news is, there was a leak in my apartment building. The good news is, it just baaarely skirted the corner of my closet. There’s no standing water, just a few wet spots on the walls. And the moisture seems to have somehow unleashed some decades old cigarette smoke. Smells lovely.
Anyway, is there anything I should dab on the walls to prevent mildew? As long as the leak is fixed, I think it’ll be dry pretty soon, but I’m going on vacation and am worried about coming home to a font of stink.
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### Author:  [@Al\_Bundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al_Bundy)
#### Post date: [June 3, 2010, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prevent-mildew-after-minor-leak/541715/2 "2010-06-03T11:42:20Z")
You could just use bleach or even vinegar. Bleach would be more positive.
Since this is not an ongoing problem, that should be sufficient. For others with a bigger problem or one more continuous, a newer product called Concrobium for about $10 at hardware and building stores kills mold and prevents the return.
Above all, get the area dry as soon as possible. Put a fan on the area running until some time after it seems dry.
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### Author:  [@spingears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spingears)
#### Post date: [June 4, 2010, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prevent-mildew-after-minor-leak/541715/3 "2010-06-04T13:52:26Z")
Sponge every surface down with chlorine bleach and allow to dry. Should make a major difference.