How to Prevent a Mould Outbreak in Your Wardrobes This Winter

Baking soda, white vinegar and even a bag of rice are some of the ways to help prevent a mould outbreak in wardrobes. Unfortunately, mouldy wardrobes are a common problem to deal with in the winter months. 

As the outside cold clashes with the indoor heat, moisture begins to linger in the home and many people will also start to experience condensation on windows and walls.

The increased condensation will result in high humidity throughout the house, which can lead to disastrous effects on bedroom wardrobes. 

Excess moisture can become trapped in wardrobe spaces, resulting in mould forming on the walls and eventually spreading onto clothes.

Having a mould outbreak can be devastating to deal with, especially if all of the clothes are ruined beyond repair.

We recommend fitting vents into wardrobes to help distribute the airflow and to use items like rice and baking soda to absorb moisture in the air.

Here’s our tips on how to prevent a mould outbreak in wardrobes:

 

1. Fit vents into the wardrobe 

Having vents built into the wardrobe can help distribute the airflow and reduce humidity. Building vents will help improve air circulation and remove any excess moisture which can help fitted wardrobes directly on the back wall.

 

2. Tidy up the space

Having too many clothes in an enclosed space can limit air circulation and trap moisture. Try to space out your clothes where possible and put the rest in drawers.

 

3. Regulate room temperature

To prevent a mould outbreak, keep the bedroom temperature between 17 to 19ºC. Mould can easily grow in colder rooms that suffer from high humidity. This can then easily spread throughout the home.

 

4. Monitor humidity levels

Rooms with high humidity levels are likely to experience mould growth due to the excess moisture in the air. Aim to keep humidity levels between 40 to 60% range to lower the chances of an outbreak.

 

5. Spray white vinegar 

A mixture of white vinegar and distilled white water can help to get rid of mould which has already started to form. Take all of the clothes in the wardrobe, dab some of the solution onto a cloth and then lightly wipe the area in a circular motion for the best results.

 

6. Ensure all clothes are dry before putting them away

Putting clothes away too quickly after washing can be one of the causes of a mould outbreak. The damp clothes can create excess moisture in the air. Check all sleeves and collars of clothes to ensure there are no wet patches.

 

7. Use a bowl of baking soda

Baking soda naturally absorbs the excess moisture surrounding it. Place a bowl of it into your wardrobe to prevent a mould outbreak. For best results, remove the clothes and leave the baking soda for around three to four hours.

 

8. Uncooked rice 

A bag of rice can also help reduce humidity in wardrobes with alarming moisture levels in the air. 

 

9. Check for leaks

If the wardrobe is positioned against a wall with the bathroom behind it, there is a chance that a water leak from the shower is the cause of the dampness. In this case, consider calling a professional to help with the problem.

 

10. Vacuum regularly

It’s important to vacuum regularly to clean up any mould spores that may be lingering on. Make sure to wear protective clothes when cleaning around them as direct contact can lead to skin irritations.

 

11. Add white vinegar to the washing

Add a quarter cup of white vinegar into the washing machine when cleaning clothes. This will help repel the outbreak once they’re hung up in the wardrobe.

 

12. Regularly open bedroom windows

Having the windows open throughout the day can help distribute air flow which can work as a natural dehumidifier. It’s worth opening wardrobe doors to release the condensed air.