Things You'll Need
Utility broom
Rubber gloves
Bucket
Disinfectant cleaner
Scrub brush
Garden hose
Mildew-resistant paint (optional)
Tip
Protect an unfinished mailbox post with mildew-resistant paint.
Clean your mailbox regularly to keep it dirt-free. A dirty surface provides a place for mildew and mold to grow.
Substitute diluted ammonia or bleach to wash a metal, plastic or unfinished wood mailbox post. Use one or the other; never mix ammonia and bleach as the two together create dangerous fumes.
Mildew grows on surfaces that are consistently damp or in warm, humid climates. The mailbox post in your yard is exposed to inclement weather and, as it gets dirty, becomes a prime location for mildew to grow. It's important to remove the mildew spores early so they don't spread to the inside of your mailbox. While regular cleaning and maintenance prevents mildew development you can remove the stains and accompanying odor with supplies found around the home.
Step 1
Brush mildew spores off the mailbox post using a utility broom. Start at the top of the post and brush downward to remove the mildew.
Step 2
Wear rubber gloves and fill a bucket with 1 gallon warm water. Mix in four capfuls of disinfectant cleaner to make a mildew-killing solution.
Step 3
Dip a scrub brush in the disinfectant solution and scrub your mailbox post. Rinse the scrub brush frequently, with plain water from the hose, then continue to wash off the post.
Step 4
Rinse the mailbox post off with your garden hose. Wash away the disinfectant cleaner along with mildew stains. Let the post air dry completely.
- University of Missouri; How to Prevent and Remove Mildew-Home Methods: Removing Mildew: Wood; Wanda Eubanks, Betty Feathers; April 1998
- University of Illinois Extension; Thrifty Living: How To Remove Mold and Mildew; Barbara Dahl; 2011
- North Caroline State University; Mildew Prevention in the Home: Mildew Removal: How to Remove Mildew From Wood Floors, Painted Walls or Wood Surfaces; Sarah D. Kirby, Ph.D.; February 1999
Mary Ylisela
Mary Ylisela is a former teacher with a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education and mathematics. She has been a writer since 1996, specializing in business, fitness and education. Prior to teaching, Ylisela worked as a certified fitness instructor and a small-business owner.