Challenge: Spotted towels, clothes and outdoor gear

Fastest Fix: Once mold spores land someplace warm, dark and damp, they begin to grow and create those black dots better known as mildew.

To remove the stains from towels and clothes, or outdoor gear like chair cushions or tents, first take the pieces outside.

If they're wet, leave them in the sunlight, a natural mold inhibitor, until totally dry; then use a stiff brush to whisk away loose spores. Don't do this indoors, or you'll have a new infestation.

Soak spots on machine-washable items for a half hour in full-strength, all-fabric bleach. Rinse, and wash as usual. For items that can't go in the machine, rub a few drops of the bleach on the stain and let sit a few minutes. Wash with a cloth dipped in mild suds; rinse well (repeat if needed) and air-dry.

Make it easier next time: Try Concrobium Mold Control ($10 for 32 oz., concrobium.com) to zap mold from hard surfaces and fabrics and help keep it away.

Challenge: Blotchy bathroom walls and curtain liner

Fastest Fix: If your walls are covered in black stains, it may be a sign of a much bigger problem, so call a professional.

However, to remove occasional brown or black spots from painted walls, mix up a solution of 1-cup chlorine bleach and 1 gallon of warm water. Wear rubber gloves, dip a scrub brush in, and scour the section. Be careful not to splash yourself or nearby fabrics. Let the solution set a few minutes and rinse with a wet cloth.

Cleaning the plastic shower-curtain liner is even easier. Launder it in hot water on the gentle cycle with detergent and chlorine bleach with a few old towels to balance the load. Dry on low heat for a minute or two. When it's dry enough to carry (and not dripping), rehang it, spread out, on the rod.

Make it easier next time: It sounds obvious, but after steamy showers leave the door open to air out the bath.

Challenge: Stained, musty wood furniture

Fastest Fix: Wooden pieces that have been stored in a humid area often get stained and stale-smelling. Vacuum them using the soft brush tool to remove loose spores and toss the vacuum bag or clean the cup afterward.

Whisk a little dishwashing liquid into warm water, dip in a cloth and wring well. Quickly wipe the stains, avoiding over-wetting the wood. Rinse, just as quickly, with a damp cloth; let dry, and polish as usual.

For musty odors, sprinkle baking soda into the drawers. Let sit a few hours and then vacuum.

Make it easier next time: Run a dehumidifier in basements and storage areas to keep moisture in check.

ON ANOTHER MATTER ...

The new clinical-strength antiperspirants often cost twice as much as regular formulas. But the Good Housekeeping Research Institute says you may not need to trade up. "Only about 3 percent of U.S. adults have a diagnosis of excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis," says David Kriegel, M.D., a New York City dermatologist. "But if you sweat through your clothes by the end of the day with regular deodorant, opt for clinical-strength." Any product with 18 percent to 20 percent aluminum chloride should keep you dry. Try Secret Clinical Strength Waterproof ($10, drugstores). Bonus: Apply antiperspirant at night for maximum protection the next day.

Recalls Alert

The following products and vehicles were recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Unless otherwise indicated, discontinue use of the products immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a refund. For more information about the products, call the manufacturer or CPSC's toll-free hotline, 800-638-2772. Only some cars or trucks recalled are affected. Contact a dealer for your model to see if it is included in the recall. The dealer will tell you what to do.

PRODUCT/VEHICLE PROBLEM

Eddie Bauer Sooth & Sway Play Yards, sold for about $150 at Target, Sears and Burlington Coat Factory stores nationwide and online from January 2008 through May 2009.The rocking bassinet can tilt when secured, causing an infant to be wedged in the corner or pressed against the bassinet, risking suffocation or positional asphyxiation. For more information, call Dorel Juvenile Group at (888) 233-4903.

2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT

2009 Chevrolet Avalanche, Colorado, Suburban, Tahoe

GMC Canyon, Yukon, Yukon XLA separation may allow water to seep into the fuel system control module. This may cause short or open circuit, causing the engine to have trouble starting or stall. This increases the risk of a crash. For more information, visit gmownercenter.com.