How To Prevent Mould In A Wardrobe

CONTENTS

• What causes mould to grow in wardrobes?
• What are the effects of mould growth?
• How to remove mould from clothes
• How to remove mould from your wardrobe
• Ways to stop mould growing in your wardrobe
• Contact us today

Mould likes to grow in damp, dark, and poorly ventilated places, making wardrobes the perfect place for it to thrive. Fail to spot it early and have it removed, and it could destroy your clothes and put you at risk of health problems.

At ICE Cleaning, we offer quick and thorough mould remediation services. Our technicians can remove all the spores from the surfaces and the air, diagnose the cause of it, and advise on mould prevention in your property.

Read on to find out why mould is growing in your wardrobe and how to stop it.

What causes mould to grow in wardrobes?

Mould is caused by excess moisture, whether that is damp, condensation, or high humidity in your property. It can also be found in dark areas as sunlight inhibits mould growth, and places that are not well ventilated. In wardrobes, mould can be specifically caused by:

• Putting damp clothes into your wardrobe
• Storing lots of clothes in your wardrobe with no space between them to allow for airflow
• Placing wardrobes near walls that are affected by leaks

You can usually tell if mould is growing in your wardrobe if there is a musty smell, or there are fuzzy and slimy white, black, and green spots in your wardrobe or on your clothes.

What are the effects of mould growth?

Mould is very dangerous to be exposed to as it produces allergens, irritants, and in some cases, toxins. Should you ingest, inhale, or touch any mould spores, you could experience an allergic reaction or more serious respiratory problems.

Elderly people, young children, people with respiratory and skin conditions, and people with a weakened immune system are especially vulnerable to the effects of mould.

As it grows on organic materials like wood, wool, and cotton, it can damage and destroy your clothes and wardrobe, depending on what they are made of.

Mould growing on clothes is particularly dangerous as you will be in close contact with the spores for long periods of time, and are likely to touch and inhale them when you wear them.

How to remove mould from clothes

There are lots of home remedies for getting rid of mould on clothes, like putting bleach or baking soda in the washing machine. But as fabric is porous, it can sink deep into the material and be very difficult to remove.

You must take your mouldy clothes to the dry cleaners as soon as possible or it could permanently damage them. You can find out more about how mould affects fabric in this blog.

How to remove mould from your wardrobe

Although it is tempting to follow DIY cleaning tips online for removing mould, you could be putting your health at risk. Without personal protective equipment (PPE), you are likely to inhale, ingest, or touch spores as you will come in close contact with the mould when cleaning it.

Should you scrub surfaces, you could even release the spores up into the air and may inhale them. Some surfaces are hard to treat, too. Mould can grow deep into porous materials, like wood, and evade treatment, growing back soon after it is cleaned.

Professional cleaners will have the specialist cleaning equipment and PPE to safely remove every trace of it. As experts in mould removal, they know exactly how to deal with your specific situation, such as how to remove and prevent mould in a built-in wardrobe.

Ways to stop mould growing in your wardrobe

There are lots of ways to prevent mould in your property, such as keeping humidity levels below 50% and opening windows to ventilate the property. Here are some specific measures to protect your wardrobe from mould:

• Make sure your clothes are completely dry before you put them away
• Use dehumidifiers in your wardrobe to get rid of humidity
• Choose wire shelving as wood absorbs and holds moisture, and wire shelves enable more ventilation around your clothes
• Keep clothes separate to enable airflow
• Ensure there is a gap behind your wardrobe to enable sufficient airflow
• Vacuum seal clothes you have not worn in a while as they will not be aired out frequently
• Fit vents to the wardrobe to enable better ventilation in the wardrobe and around your clothes

Contact us today

Our Dewpoint-accredited technicians can make your wardrobe and the rest of your property safe again. They are available nationwide, 365 days a year, and can be on site in a matter of hours in an emergency.

Get in touch with our team on 0208 066 0360 or at enquiries@icecleaning.co.uk to find out more about our mould removal services.