⌛ Mildew and mold

I haven't seen this problem covered here. Maybe earlier?? Anyway, we have a fairly nice, fairly expensive free standing closet which seems to be the perfect place for mildew to grow. The walls and doors are made of compressed particle board covered with wood simulated vinyl. It's a very smooth surface, but we have to wipe it at least twice a week to remove the growth of blue-grey mildew. Do any of you have suggestions as to how to eliminate this problem? I read online that tea tree oil is recommended for this problem, but haven't found a local supplier. Any other thoughts?

 

Try lysol in aerosol can or in liquid form (diluted). Kills bacteria and fungi.

 

Mildew develops in humid environment so better ventilation might help.
To remove mildew you can use hydrogen peroxide(pharmacy or supermarket)

 

Make sure the closet is ventilated top and bottom. A light bleach solution quickly kills both mold and mildew. Make sure everything that is put in the closet is absolutely 100% dry also.

 

In Papua New Guinea, the same problem, most people there used a low watt light bulb, which gave off enough heat to stop moister forming, the only thing is to make sure nothing in the wardrobe is able to touch the bulb a metal mess over the bulb can prefent this.

As mentioned in posts also good ventilation helps

Cheers TD

 

KDF is right about the bleach and the other comments are also on point. Mold grows on cellulose that has a moiture supply either water or condensation will suffice. Stop the water issue and the mold will go away. You can kill it with bleach but it will usually reoccur once the bleach has dissipated.

 

Same problem and same solutions in Houston Texas. The standard fix was to clean the surface with a solution of one cup of bleach and one cup of TSP in 5 gals of water. Dry very well and install a 40 or 60 watt light bulb in the closet.

 

Neem trees grow all over dumaguete as i found and went to gather a sack of the leaves my self,the smell is of its own funk but its an organic/natural anti mold that sticks around but does not kill bugs directly,it degrades their reproduction so they lose ability to populate,Its for crawlers or flyers,mosquitos and fungus and some bacteria and viruses are affected by it..Its a one stop shop that is slow working but like a weed all over town...grind leaves and bark down into cool water mix and use as scrub,,theres a way to drink it (bark strip tea or leaf tea)but i dont know the details,the concentrate oils sold in the USA are strictly warned for external use only..So go by the external use rule only for safety..

 

From Southern Environmental Services:

Mold can be found almost anywhere; it can grow on virtually any organic substance, as long as moisture and oxygen are present. Molds can be found growing on wood, paper, carpet, foods, and insulation. When excessive moisture accumulates in buildings or on building materials, mold growth will often occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or un-addressed. It is impossible to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment, however, mold growth can be controlled indoors by controlling moisture. Concerns about indoor exposure to mold have been increasing as the public becomes more and more educated and aware that exposure to mold can cause a variety of health effects and symptoms, including allergic reactions.

Since mold requires moisture to grow, it is important to prevent excessive moisture problems in buildings. Moisture problems can have many causes, including uncontrolled humidity. Some moisture problems in buildings have been linked to changes in building construction practices during the 1970s, 80s, and 90s. Some of these changes have resulted in buildings that are tightly sealed, but may lack adequate ventilation, potentially leading to moisture buildup. Building materials, such as drywall, may not allow moisture to escape easily. Moisture problems may result from roof leaks, landscaping or gutters that direct water into or under the building, and unvented combustion appliances. Delayed maintenance or insufficient maintenance is also associated with moisture problems in homes, schools, and buildings

In some cases, indoor mold growth may not be obvious. It is possible that mold may be growing on hidden surfaces, such as the backside of dry wall, wallpaper, paneling, the top of ceiling tiles, and the underside of carpets and pads, etc. Other possible locations of hidden mold can include walls behind furniture (where condensation forms), condensate drain pans inside air conditioning units, and porous thermal or acoustic liners inside ductwork.