Mould on Baby Items

supermonkey

Hi All,

We have push chair covers & car seat stored in the loft, in plastic bags. On looking at them, some look absolutely fine, but smell a bit fusty. The car seat has visible mould spots.

Our first though was to just chuck the lot, but we'd rather avoid this unless absolutely necassary as it would be a lot of future expense.

We think the visibly fine items will be ok - would you agree? The visibly mouldy, can likely be cleaned (eg leave in sun, put cover in wash). But would it definitely be safe for a baby?

Thanks!

patchwork_cat

Personally mould on baby items would concern me. Mould can be more dangerous than is realised ( breathing issues etc. ) Once spores are around they are difficult to eradicate. Could you get new covers? Similar problem here http://www.netmums.com/coffeehouse/children-parenting-190/drop-clinic-652/549752-mould-dangerous-baby.html

Apricot

Personally I would get rid of them or as patchwork cat said get new covers if possible. Mould spores can be very dangerous and obviously babies tend to be more succeptible to these things than strong, healthy adults.

Im thinking with the car seat although the covers could be cleaned the mould could have got into the foam underneath which you wouldn't be able to see & removing it would render the seat useless anyway.

pearl123

Not worth the risk. Mould can kill adults or make them severly ill. Can you image the risk you'd be taking with a baby!
Thow it away..!

supermonkey

That was our first thought - throw the car seat. But with the push chair covers, they appear fine so not quite sure.

Also, we started wondering after seeing people online suggesting cleaning the mould stains on baby items!

pearl123

If they have been stored together fling the lot.
Your baby would be at risk of pneumonia, croup, bronchitis, or other respiratory problems. Togther with a whole host of other major illness. And the risk could be long-term.

I know there is a resession and moneys tight but it is not worth the risk at all - I would say.

Why don't you do a google search on "mold" and also a seach on "mold and baby". You'll find your answer.

Would you be happy to be in physical contact over a period of time with something the has been around mold or has had direct contact with it or has had it on? I would not. And would not risk a baby either.

BitterAndTwisted

Mould spores are present all around us 24/7. Most healthy bodies are well-equipped to dealing with them. Items which have mould spots on them can be effectively cleaned with a biological detergent solution in hand-hot water with a final rinse of weak domestic bleach.

Unless the baby this equipment is intended for is a new-born, premature or has a compromised immune system I wouldn't worry over-much. There's too much unfounded hysteria about germs and whatnot which is why some people waste altogether too much money on antibac sprays and wipes all over the place when they don't nned them. A good dose of hot-water and soap is an effective antibac.

supermonkey

Thanks for all replies.

pearl123 wrote: »

If they have been stored together fling the lot.
Your baby would be at risk of pneumonia, croup, bronchitis, or other respiratory problems. Togther with a whole host of other major illness. And the risk could be long-term.

I know there is a resession and moneys tight but it is not worth the risk at all - I would say.

Why don't you do a google search on "mold" and also a seach on "mold and baby". You'll find your answer.

Would you be happy to be in physical contact over a period of time with something the has been around mold or has had direct contact with it or has had it on? I would not. And would not risk a baby either.

We did a google search. Most results were people saying don't worry. We weren't happy with this.

The items were all in the loft, but were all seperate.

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

Mould spores are present all around us 24/7. Most healthy bodies are well-equipped to dealing with them. Items which have mould spots on them can be effectively cleaned with a biological detergent solution in hand-hot water with a final rinse of weak domestic bleach.

Unless the baby this equipment is intended for is a new-born, premature or has a compromised immune system I wouldn't worry over-much. There's too much unfounded hysteria about germs and whatnot which is why some people waste altogether too much money on antibac sprays and wipes all over the place when they don't nned them. A good dose of hot-water and soap is an effective antibac.

It would be for a new born

MX5huggy

Not many new borns go in a push chair, I would wash and use.

sarahevie

My pushchair went mouldy over winter in the garage I cleaned on 60C and haven't had a problem.

My DD2 has a congenital lung disorder, so I wouldn't risk it if I thought it wasn't safe but she has been fine. Covers came out as good as new, no mould

pearl123

I don't know how you got good results when googling mold. I did some extensive reseach a couple of years back and in the end was quite concerned..

Below is a quote from Sure Baby website "Problems with mold can include allergies, infections, irritations, as well as other issues associated with toxicity. Each of these can easily affect a growing child, and since yourchild is still developing, he or she is more susceptible to mold's adverse effects. This means that as a parent, you have to be very aware of the risks and problems presented by exposure to mold, and act accordingly"

Below a couple of googled "mold health" links I found very quickly.
This list is endless!
http://www.aehf.com/articles/APMmold.htm
http://www.moldunit.com/health-risks.html
http://blackmoldexpert.com/black-mold-health-effects/
http://www.cdc.gov/mold/faqs.htm
http://www.clickpress.com/releases/Detailed/162005cp.shtml
http://www.surebaby.com/child-health-care/mold.php

Also perhaps contact your nurse at your local doctors surgery. I won't say any more - at the end of the day it is your choice.