Mould in a cupboard. How can I get rid of it?

[PavlovtheWitchesCat]

I have a clothing cupboard which I have not used for a while as it has been cluttered with crap.

Now I have taken everything out as I desperately need the space.

It is a 'built-in' recess cupboard, as in has doors on front, back and side is wall.

I have taken clothes and shoes out to find much of it is covered in a thin layer of mould/mildew, and everything smells musty. Of course I shall rewash everything. But some things (ie shoes) are too bad and need throwing.

also have some paintings stored in there which have small black dots on, and someeven have little bugs!!! (teeny tiny ones)

There is no visible damp in the cupboard, what I want to know is

1. why is this occuring#
2. what can I do to stop it, as I desperately need the space there, NOW.

(desperate, as in, live in a flat, overcrowded, and have just had DH agree to have another child. I need to show we can all fit!!!)

[UpJacobscreek]

Clean it off with some bleach and water put a hot water bottle in the cupboard for a couple of weeks on the wall affected (obv refilling it every day) then buy a damp catcher from somewhere like poundland and put it in wardrobe .

Really works .

[PavlovtheWitchesCat]

what on earth is a damp catcher?!!!

Also, should I leave it clear of everything in the mean time?

[PavlovtheWitchesCat]

thank you by the way!

[UpJacobscreek]

They are like a piece of card which soaks any damp into that rather than your stuff ,I could send you a couple if you want .

I did take everything out while I did it and put some stuff in plastic boxes and others in those vac bags you can get in woolies .
HTH .

[PavlovtheWitchesCat]

oh great idea. Thanks for offer but thats really cheeky of me! I shall look in ppoundland? They will sell them there?

Thank you

[UpJacobscreek]

s'ok let me know if you can't find them my dp's a manager in poundland so I should be able to get hold of them quite easy if you can't .

[MadBadandWieldingAnAxe]

Lack of ventilation is probably the problem. Are you any good at DIY? Could you put a little ventilation grille (something like this) at the top or bottom of the door?

[PavlovtheWitchesCat]

Upjacobscreek - thank you, I will remember that if I can't find it.

MadBad - the doors have slats in, they are that sort of french style with slats all the way down...but perhaps I need a vent in the wall? I should probably get the builder in to take a look shouldn't I?

[MadBadandWieldingAnAxe]

Well, if the doors have slats you've probably got as much ventilation as you're ever going to have. Is the cupboard on one side of a chimney, as they can sometimes be damp (especially if blocked up)?

A vent in the wall sounds a bit drastic but maybe a builder could suggest a solution.

[PavlovtheWitchesCat]

Yes Mad it is a chimney cupboard, will try upjacobscreek and see if that works, if not, will then go talk to my builder!

[TheProvincialLady]

I don't think a damp catcher will do much TBH. You definitely need to ensure maximum ventilation and that includes not keeping too much stuff in the cupboard so there is air flow around the items. Washing the cupboard with bleach and allowing it to dry for several days should kill the mould that is there but if the conditions stay the same, it will be back.

You need to get your builder to have a look at the dampness of the chimney and see if anything can be done about that. You can also buy a dehumidifier (great noisy machines though) as you are likely to have a high moisture content in the whole room if the cupboard is affected.