preventing mould in wardrobe?

rose28454

My Ex moved into a flat last April and when he moved in October he had damp and mould in the back of his Ikea wardrobe. We cleaned it up and he moved it ot his new flat. Now he has the same problem again. Any ideas how to deal with it?

Gingernutmeg

I'd use something like Dettol mould and mildew spray to clean the mould off, but if it's happening again despite a move then your ex needs to look at how he's living in the house. It might help if he pulls the wardrobe away from the wall slightly so that air can circulate around it, and he needs to make sure he's ventilating the bedroom (?) properly, otherwise the damp air will collect on the cold wall surfaces and cause mould to grow - this often happens behind furniture. So he needs to make sure he's opening windows regularly, and if he's doing anything 'wet' (like showering/bathing, or cooking, or drying washing) he needs to ensure that he's closing doors and opening windows. Also, he needs to make sure that his clothes are dry before he puts them away, as this can cause damp issues in wardrobes.

If the problem is really bad then he should look at getting a dehumidifier, or replacing the wardrobe if he can't clean the mould off thoroughly. But generally, if you try to address the damp issues first by ventilating and heating properly, they do improve without having to spend too much money.

littlesnuggy

The best solution would be to remove the cause of the dampness & mould: condensation. Various methods of doing this (increase heating, open windows, don't dry clothes indoors or on radiators, use a dehumidifier or install a positive pressure unit), some of which will be cheaper than others. He should also make sure the wardrobe isn't crammed too full so that air is allowed to circulate.

mazza111

Had this problem once when wardrobe was against an outside wall. This was the only sign of dampness/condensation in the whole house. After cleaning and moving from the offending wall, the wardrobe was fine, but some wardrobes seem to attract it if against an outside wall.

painted_lady

I just finally tidied out my other halfs side of the fitted wardrobe as it was smelling mouldy. He is a hoarder and I found 15 pairs of ripped/unwearable jeans, most prob dont even fit him. They smell mouldy as they have been there some time. I noticed the wall (internal, which we share with a neighbour), is a little mouldy, although it is internal wall, its not far from the external wall. Is there anything I can do to get rid of the mouldy smell and prevent it coming back? I plan to keep the bottom of his wardrobe free from clutter so that air can circulate, we have the window in the room open all day everyday (even in winter), there is a radiator but we rarely use them this time of year. I have wiped the wall with a cloth and sprayed in there with dettol air freshner so it smells a bit better. I would appreciate any money saving old style sort of tips (I am wondering if vinegar works?)

patchwork_cat

Dettol air freshener is only masking the smell. You need to wipe the walls with a bleach solution or a propietary mould remover. You need to find out why it is mouldy though. Do you put clothes away when damp, damp shoes, damp coats? You could try putting one of those caravan water absorber things.

Apparently you can use vinegar on the walls to get rid of mould. I would also empty the wardrobe on a hot sunny day and put everything out on the line, personally I would wash it all too

painted_lady

I think other half has just "stored" his old clothes here for years and air hasnt circulated. He is a compulsive hoarder. I noticed a pair of old trainers in there too, might have been wet.

blossomhill_2

If it is feasible in your case, some chicken wire attached to the wardrobe walls and stretched across the back, to make like a false back would help, as this keeps the contents off the back wall and creates circulation of air

When you wash the clothes this time, make sure you wash as hot as the fabric allows, none of this 30degrees nonsense

Personally I'd get rid of anything containing wool, as this situation is a magnet for moths too - but then again I hate wool, your OH may love it

painted_lady

The old jeans will be going to a rag recycling place down the road.
He stores jumpers in a different place and that part isnt affected. I dont wash at 30 much anyway as a lot of our washing has stains, bodily fluids on or whatever. I like to know the germs are gone.
Thanks for advice everyone.

Ben84

You haven't suggested how bad the mould is? A little bit I'd just clean up with bleach and try not to clutter the cupboard up too much in the future as I've found trapping air encourages condensation and mould. If it's bad however, it might be worth trying to improve air flow in the cupboard by fitting an air vent in the door. This has certainly helped our cupboards. In the future I may also paint them with anti-mould paint instead of just regular paint.

painted_lady

Thanks Ben, its not "really" bad, but smelly and black patches. i think a treatment with that mould prevention stuff and a couple of coats of anti mould paint might do the trick, with me keeping ontop iof his hoarding in future (he even keeps biro's that dont work anymore), this is what I am up against!