Mouldy blinds

[Caffeineismydrug]

We get condensation on our windows (old house, lovely single glazed sash windows) each night. Normally, I'll give them a squeegee, dry them off and open the windows each morning, no problem. Unfortunately, we had to move out for a bit recently due to getting work done. DH was staying in the house for a night here and there, and couldn't be bothered didn't think it would matter to not open the curtains and blinds, and hey presto, we now have mouldy roller blinds. Black spots of mould.

I can't see any way to wash them so I'm thinking they're a write off. I'm very slightly tempted to try my HG mould spray but obviously that isn't meant for fabric, but then again it can't make them any worse.

Anyone any ideas? Thanks.

[KatyTheCleaningLady]

If you're about to write them off, give the HG spray a try. I think your biggest risk is getting white patches. Even if they're white blinds, they are likely a bit off-white with age.

If you end up with white bits where the mould was, then make a weak bleach solution and spray the whole thing evenly. That may blend everything together.

If your blinds are not white (or you don't want them to turn white) then you will probably have to replace them.

I went through this in our old house. Kids had drawn with biro on one (gah!) and attempts to remove biro with cleaner not only didn't work well, it make a big white spot. Ended up just replacing it.

You can find cheaper blinds on eBay. If you're lucky, you have a standard size window and don't need them cut down to size. I was not so lucky!

[KatyTheCleaningLady]

I did have good luck with bleaching vertical blinds. I just put them in a big rubber tub full of a bleach solution and left them to soak. It got 99% of the black spots out and they came up an even white colour.

I spoke to a woman last week who said she couldn't wash hers as they went limp. So, your mileage may vary.

[2littlemonkeys]

Dettol mould and mildew remover is amazing and works fantastic on fabric x

[Caffeineismydrug]

Thanks for for your replies. I did have a cheeky go with the mould spray and I think it would work. I think I'll leave it until the weather is better then hang them on the washing line and attack them with the Dettol stuff suggested. The HG mould spray is good but so strong and smelly!

[KatyTheCleaningLady]

Waiting until the weather improves is a good idea. I'm glad it worked for you.

[KatyTheCleaningLady]

Actually, if you're willing to take them down to hang, why not put them in a bath with a weak thin bleach solution? That is, if spraying leaves whiter marks.

[Flossbert]

I have a similar problem and have been reading these helpful hints with interest. If I have eliminated the source of the problem, will the mould on my curtains get worse if I wait for better weather before attacking them with the dettol?

[KatyTheCleaningLady]

I think it may get worse. Less so if you've improved ventilation and humidity, though.

A very dilute solution of thin bleach sprayed on will help keep things in check, too.

[Flossbert]

Thanks very much Katy. I'm a bit gutted as they're John Lewis curtains I paid a small fortune for 2 years ago . I'll give them a blast with the dettol and try and get them dry inside.

[Caffeineismydrug]

Hi Katy. I did think about sticking them in the bath with bleach but I don't have anywhere to hang them upstairs (where the bath is) and was worried about dripping bleachy water round the house while trying to get them outside. I guess I could wrap it in a white towel to get outside and bleaching would give a more even result but the 5 year old in me thinks spraying with a spray would be more fun . Thanks for your advice.