How to Prevent Mould in Wardrobe

When mould spreads and clings to your furniture and clothes, it can do irrevocable damage that leaves you with spoiled belongings and a potential hazard to your health. Let us assume that you know all of this and that is why you are here?

Whether you want to prevent mould or need effective solutions to get rid of it for good, this guide will provide you with the information that you need to maintain a mould-free environment for your wardrobe.

You want a wardrobe that looks like this:

NOT like this:

 

Before we move on to provide you with the best solutions to prevent mould and remove it if it has already invaded your space, let’s briefly discuss what mould is, exactly – just to make sure you’re targeting the right problem.

What Is Mould In ?

Mould is a type of fungi that grows in damp and poorly ventilated areas and is often accompanied by a musty smell. It is typically soft or “furry” to the touch and can be any colour, although it most commonly appears as black, grey, or green (depending on the humidity level and the amount of light it is exposed to). This fungus reproduces quickly by making spores and can become a huge problem if a solution is not enforced.

Why Is It Important That Mould Is Removed?

The spores that combine to make mould can become a serious health hazard. According to the World Health Organisation, they can be responsible for mild ailments such as allergies and headaches to more serious problems such as asthma and bleeding in the lungs.

Mould can also ruin the contents of a wardrobe, causing damage to clothes, accessories, and general belongings that can be difficult to impossible to reverse.

What Causes Mould In Wardrobes?

Mould can only appear and grow when there is moisture in an environment. This means that for mould to spread in a wardrobe, it needs to be exposed to high humidity or a water leak.

The 3 most common ways moisture and mould can infiltrate your wardrobe include:

Wardrobes that are placed against walls can be affected by leaking pipes within the walls. Even the smallest leak can create enough moisture for it to thrive.

Roof or attic leaks or humidity that seeps in from above can stimulate mould. Once it begins to grow overhead, it can migrate through the wood of your wardrobe and spread to your belongings.

If you live in a region with high humidity, then your wardrobe may be more vulnerable to mould, especially if the ventilation is poor.

How to Remove Mould from Your Wardrobe

The first step in eliminating mould is to rectify the cause. Find out where the moisture is coming from and then stop it in its tracks.

The next step is to clean up.

There are many products available that will help you to remove mould from your wardrobe safely and effectively, however, these chemicals can be harsh and may spoil or ruin clothes if it comes into contact with them.

An alternative to using chemicals such as bleach on wooden surfaces is to use white vinegar. This can be applied as follows:

Mix one part vinegar with an equal quantity of warm water. This solution will be used to remove mould residue. 

Dip a cloth into your vinegar and water solution. Wring out excess water and vinegar so that the cloth is damp to the touch. Wipe the cloth over the affected surfaces, removing the top layers of mould. 

Once you have removed the top layers of mould, it’s important that you also kill off any live spores that may have penetrated the wood. You can do this by applying pure white vinegar to the affected area and then leave it to dry naturally.

Once you have given the vinegar time to work, you can rinse it off with cold water and then dry it off with a towel.

White vinegar mixed with water is a safe and effective way to remove mould

How can you get mould out of clothing?

If the mould in your wardrobe has already spread to your clothes, then you can try to rectify the damage in 1 of 3 ways:

• Use an old toothbrush to gently scrub the mould off your garment.
• Apply a stain remover to the mould, following the usage instructions of the product accordingly.
• Hand or machine wash the item in a hot water and white vinegar solution.

How Can You Prevent Mould?

As with most things in life, prevention is always better than the cure. Stop mould from becoming a problem by making sure that your rooms and wardrobes are well-ventilated. If you live in a very humid region, you can invest in an extractor unit to enhance ventilation. Adding additional vent plates to the top and bottom of your wardrobe is also an effective solution.

Another way to curb the problem of mould is to pack your clothes in such a way that you maximise the airflow between the items.  When clothes are packed too tightly, then the poor air circulation can enable mould to grow and spread easily. Consider purchasing a wardrobe that has a number of separate compartments that clothing and accessories can be stored in.

 

And then, as a rule of thumb, once you have washed your clothes, avoid putting them away before they are thoroughly dry. Damp clothes can attract mould, which can then spread into the fixtures of your wardrobe.

Mould is a common household problem that can be very annoying, particularly when it’s affecting your clothes and your wardrobe. The good news is that it can be easily prevented and rectified if you apply our advice shared above.