Finding spots of mould on clothing in your closet can be frustrating.
For one, it means that you’re going to have to take all of your clothes out of the closet, wash them, dry them, and put them away again.
You’re also going to need to find the root of the problem – were your clothes still wet when you put them away? Is there something growing inside your closet? Is the wood of the closet damp in some way, causing mould growth and rot?
And finally, you’re going to have to spend time cleaning the closet or wardrobe, clearing out mould spots and spores, then disinfecting the area to stop it from happening again.
You can avoid a whole lot of hard work from the get-go using a mould prevention plan and making mould-checks part of your cleaning routine. In this blog post, we’re going to explore the best way to prevent mould growing in closets and wardrobes.
#1. Ensure your clothes are completely dry before putting them in the closet
Ever felt the laundry and wondered, “are these wet or are they just cold?”
Don’t jump the gun and assume they’re dry.
It’s common for homeowners to make the mistake of putting damp clothes in closets. However, dampness is often the result of mould – warm, moist air from damp clothing meets with cold internal surfaces like the ceiling or walls of the closet, then once the air cools, the water collects on cold surfaces and causes patches of mould to grow.
As a result, clothes start to smell damp and musty, which is not ideal for workers and students!
Mould feeds on dampness in fabric, so resist the temptation to toss wet clothes back in the closet. It might seem easier – waiting for clothes to dry can be a total bore – but you should always check to see if your laundry is completely dry before hanging it up.
#2. Allow air to flow through the closet and wardrobes
It’s common for mould to grow in damp, dark conditions. Closets and wardrobes are the perfect places for mould spores to reproduce and spread – it’s dark, closed-off, humid and there are fabric fibres to munch on.
Wherever possible, open all the doors and windows to allow fresh air to flow through the house and, in turn, the wardrobe.
Fresh air helps to naturally dry out excess moisture in clothing, closets, and wardrobes, no matter the cause. During winter, you can even open the closet or wardrobe doors and hit them with fresh air from the fan. It’s crucial to keep these enclosed spaces clean, fresh and aerated.
#3. Use a dehumidifier to keep clothing, walls and ceilings dry
A dehumidifier can also assist with keeping clothing and closets free from mould. Humidity can reach up to 60% in closets and wardrobes, making them a breeding ground for mould spores.
Dehumidifiers can reduce moisture in the air to a much safer 50%. If the level of moisture can be maintained, mould will become inactive and emit mould spores far less.
It’s important to remember, however, that dehumidifiers aren’t a cure-all for mould. Dehumidifiers are for prevention and management, not the removal of mould. Before running out to purchase a dehumidifier, have all mould removed from your home by a trained professional. The expert team from Mould Removal can assist – give us a call on 1300 681 034.
#4. Leave the light on at times to remove moisture from the air
Another option for removing moisture from closets and wardrobes is allowing a low-wattage light bulb to burn in the closet. The added heat from the light will help rid the closet of moisture.
Ensure the light is low to the floor so that its heat rises, but also make sure the bulb is a decent distance away from your clothing to avoid potential house-fires.
Remember – we’re here to help with both mould prevention and removal
It’s important to remember that these suggestions are for prevention, not removal. If your home is mould-free, these suggestions will help to stop mould in its tracks and keep your home fresh.
However, if mould is spreading throughout your home, get in touch with the team from Mould Removal. Our fast, efficient service will kill-off mould spores in your home, closets and wardrobes while making your home a safe, healthy living environment.
We offer obligation-online free quotes – and more importantly, we provide practical causation reports with common sense advice rather than quotations for mechanical solutions dressed up as a free report. Contact the experts for long-term prevention. Call us now!
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