Newbie needs help with mold

Aside from using a dehumidifier or placing a bag of charcoal in the closets, I researched this website that might give you some suggestions: http://www.fcs.uga.edu/pubs/current/C767.html
Good luck! I'm looking forward to hearing what others have to suggest.

I bought a storage dehumidifier heating rod that I plugged in and placed on the floor at Sea Chest (STT). It did the trick immediately.
Place leather shoes right on the floor next to it, it also keeps my clothes from feeling constantly damp. My dehumidifier from Pricesmart keeps my place from 94% down to below 80% within hours.

Thanks,
I think I will try a small fan for more ventilation. Its not real bad....just a lite covering on one or 2 items - yuck.

Travelwoman:

I don't think you'll likely have much success with just a fan - I never did, anyway, when I lived on the Northside of STT for a while.

A fan will just move around the moist air and the conditions for mildew thriving will still be there, just moving around! I concur with Cathy on the dehumidifier heating rod for a closet. They're easy to install and work like a charm. For a larger area a regular room dehumidifier works really well but if you're only seeing a small amount in the closet and your bed linens and/or upholstery aren't clammy, use the rod. Hope this helps.

Hey "SIMPLE GREEN" kills all mold and moss due to its Ph qualities...but ...its bio-degratable/ non-toxic...Look -on line-...Its an all purpose cleaner. I am a "Previous Washington State resident" that delt with all sorts of issues due to constant moisture...Hope my "two cebts" helps Delighted in Paradise
* Jasmine *

Also try the DampRid hangers you can get a t Home Depot. Good for closed spaces.

We just keep the light on all the time in the closet. This extra heat seems to help dry things out quite a bit.

Thanks everyone. I will look for the DampRid Hangers at the hardware store.....(no Home Depot on STX 😉

You can see their various products at www.damrid.com It is a good product (made in Florida) - it can get expensive to use in high humidity places, but great!!! If you can't locate it or manage to have it shipped, give the charcoal a chance. If you do a websearch on "charcoal uses" you'll be surprised of its many functions, including deodorizing refrigerators (when baking soda isn't avalable). We all need to improvise when our "favorites" aren't available and this is just another hint. Good luck!

Hey travelwoman!
I too am dealing with the issue of mold.
I used to use the silica beads (also found in Damprid), but I spilled to container once and the liquid ate up the soles of five pairs of shoes. Not pleasant. I recently purchased a dehumidifier (worked like a charm, but pricey) and also ordered something called the Eva-Dry. It is the same concept as the Damp Rid, but the container doesn't spill and you refresh the baeds by simply plugging it in rather than refilling it with new beads. There are some reviews for it on the internet, and as soon as mine arrive I will let everyone know how they worked.

I tried Damprid when we first got here. Package says it's supposed to last 2-3 weeks. My little moisture-soaking beads were disintegrated in less than a day. Became an expensive and frustrating proposition. Like Onika, I spilled some of the collected water on my stuff- what a mess!

I got one of the 'rechargeable ones' from an army supply catalog- you put it in the oven once the beads turn colors. It worked OK, but A/C works much better 🙂

I highly recommend either:

air conditioning
a few heating bars (remember, they can get warm!)
or a dehumidifier

Best,

LR

Hi Onika.

Have you received your Eva-Dry yet? Are you pleased with it? Did you order the "EDV300 Mini Dehumidifier?"

Hey dntw8up,
Unfortunately, I patiently waited a few weeks for delivery and then when I remembered they didn't come I contacted Amazon. Turns out the retailer doesn't deliver here! Aargh.

So, now that you remind me actually, I was going to check Ebay for one.

The dehumidifier works like a charm by the way, but it is really not practical for daily use.

Will let you know if and when I ever get my hands on an Eva-dry.
O.

Great suggestions regarding the bay leaf! I have a condo apt. on the beach and I use both charcoal and a dehumidifier to control humidity. I place charcoal in containers in closets, or hidden behind furniture. Whenever I leave the apt. I close my windows and turn on my dehumidifier to the medium setting. I can "recycle" the water collected in the container by dumping it in the washing machine drum for later use when filling the tub for washing. It is good for watering plants, mopping, and it also tastes good to my dog! For long time trips, I place the dehumidifier in the hall bathtub and unplug the container's stopper, and in its place I put a short hose approximately 8" long and allow it to drip directly into the bathtub - no worry about the container ever filling up. My place stays dry, and I have no mold, or odor problems.

When I purchased my furniture, all of which have lose cushions for easy removal or re-upholstering, I immediately sprayed the fabric with Scotchguard. My futon mattress was slipped into a zipper plastic mattress cover and the outer futon fabric slip cover was Scotchguarded. I have not had wet bathing suits damage my furniture either. A little up-front work and extra expense on the
purchase of Scotchguard has been worth the many years of not having to replace my furniture!

Where is the best place to find a dehumidifier on STT? I'm assuming Home Depot? Let me know. We bought a place at Mahogany run and have also been experiencing mold issues.

Thanks!!

If you can't find something locally and you know of someone who will be coming down, maybe they can transport one for you as their baggage. Maybe they can ship it for you. DeLonghi is an excellent product, energy efficient, long lasting and silent (it's my choice and still running after 3 solid years.) Check this model out on the internet:

http://ekitchengadgets.com/de40pide.html

When considering the purchase of a dehumidifier, it is good to know what sq. footage the unit will serve. Maybe more than one unit is necessary depending on the size of the living space. The one posted in the link I gave serves 1000 sq. feet.

Yes, Home Despot (Oh, sorry, I mean Depot) carries dehumidifiers, although it's a little known fact to some staff. Last I was in there, they are not IN the aisle, but on the END of the aisle with airconditioners. I bought a 50-pint that needs to be emptied after approx. 4 hours.

Good luck!

Onika,

Just curious - what brand is yours and what sq. footage does it serve? Does it have flexible humidity control settings? From what I understand, the "recommended" ideal humidity setting for comfort is 60% or M. I would think that if it runs on H or full power all the time it will not only fill up rapidly, but will likely burn out faster. Do you keep the windows open or shut when using it? When we sleep at night we turn on our bedroom A/C and let the dehumidifier handle the rest in the apt. with the windows shut. The place is always pleasant when we awake, even at 85 degree temps. in the apt. (it's the humidity that kills ya!)

I lived in the Fla.Keys for 12 years and could not have slept at night if it weren't for the ceiling fans over the beds.They are priceless,since I didn't use humidifiers.I didn't want to use humidifiers cause I wouldn't be acclimated to the humidity when going outside.Keeping the closet doors open with the ceiling fans going,kept the mold down too.LA

Dear LA:

It would be a very odd home here which didn't have ceiling fans!

I guess I should probably say no more except that YES we have ceiling fans but that there are certain areas on all the islands which need more than that.

Thats good to know...THANKS...LA

I keep a light bulb on in the closets, it helps with the damp feeling clothes sometimes get.

I also bought a small cube space heater with an automatic thermostat last time I was in Kentucky. I set it on low and keep it running in the bathroom 24/7. My linen closet is in the BR and this little bit of heat keeps the whole BR dry. It is a huge help with mold and mildew in the BR.

It's also a good conversation piece. I tell people it's to warm the floors on frosty mornings!

Where is the best place to get simply green?