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How can I reduce mould in my bedroom wardrobe?

Hi - hoping you can help🙏🏽

I have a slight mould issue happening in my bedroom wardrobe. My house is an old Victorian and ventilation is minimal.

Recently I discovered mould building up in my wardrobe, particularly on my clothes and shoes, even in the drawers! It really only in one cupboard which is located near the window.

I cleaned it down about 3 months ago and placed a few moisture absorbers in the cupboard and one in each drawer. I can see they’ve been capturing moisture but didn’t notice any mould until I pulled out some shoes which were completely covered. Upon further inspection, most of my leather clothes were covered in green mould.

i am about to clean everything out again with vinegar and water and wait til it completely dries to add clothing back in, however I’m scared it will just return as this bedroom is particularly cold and I can feel a slight draft coming in below the cupboard.

i have also bought some damp rid hanging absorbers to place in the cupboard. is there anything else you can suggest to help this issue??

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EricL

Hello @NotSoDIY

I suggest getting an incense stick to locate the source of the draft. If you find out where its coming from you could cover it up using silicone or perhaps use timber moulding to stop the wind from blowing in. You may also bring the dehumidifier into this section of your house as it is a portable device. It will bring the humidity down in the room and slow down the mould growth. You can also try using a larger tub of DampFree Moisture Absorber Hanging Pouch - 3 Pack.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1, @Nailbag and @AlanM52 for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Dave-1

Good Morning @NotSoDIY

You mention that your house is an older style house with no ventilation, I am wondering if there is either a gap somewhere that allows cold in or its sealed tight and the moisture pools next to the window and hangs out in the cupboard?

I get condenstaion sometimes overnight on my bedroom windows on cold nights, plus mould does want to start on the ceiling directly above the open sections of the windows themselves. I only have light curtains more to difuse light. So cold air, you have louvers that may not be air tight and the moisture hangs out. I like the dehumidifier @EricL has mentioned. The only other idea is to create more air space within the cupboard so the moisture absorbers work easier.

Dave

AlanM52

Hello @NotSoDIY,

Is that single story and was that wardrobe there at the time you moved in?

When you say 'Recently I discovered mould...' how long have you been living there?

Can we say this:

I moved into my old Victorian home about one year ago and recently discovered mould in my wardrobe.

If so or similar something must have changed (quite drastic) to turn your wardrobe into a restaurant for spores.

Can I ask for your postcode.

Come back so we can continue the forensic investigation 🤔

Cheers

NotSoDIY

Thank you @EricL

NotSoDIY

Thanks heaps @Dave-1 I’ve actually had a look outside and looks like there’s some silicone covering up some gaps under the house except for when it gets to the bedroom window. I wonder if filling these gaps could also help?! Pics uploaded.

NotSoDIY

Hey @AlanM52 I've been in the property for 2 years and I’m in Newport 3015.

i guess I hadn’t really inspected that cupboard properly before as we store things that aren’t used a lot in there - and perhaps the first winter we were here, we used oil heaters throughout the house which maybe helped?!

Dave-1

Good afternoon @NotSoDIY

Ummm Im trying to place where the photos are in relation to the window/side of teh house:) Could you take a photo further back so we can see the overall point you are refering to?

Dave

NotSoDIY

Of course! Sorry, see attached

AlanM52

Howdy @NotSoDIY,

I see it's a weatherboard house, check outside along that side of the house in that area.

Discoloured eve boards are a sign of water ingress.which needs to be traced back to the source.

With safety in mind inspect the gutter along there for chunks of mortar which means ridge and/or roof tiles have lost their pointing.

If so roof should be inspected and maybe even needs restoration work.

The water from a leaking ridge tile could even find it's way down a rafter into the wall cavity.

Check under the house for drainage problems.

Same for downpipes and stormwater drains.

Cheers

NotSoDIY

Excellent advice. thank you so much. Will do all of the above and hope I get the the bottom of the issue.

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