Mould in dds bedroom

[omnishambles]

I can only afford a dehumidifier OR a new litle radiator to have on a constant heat atm - which should I buy first?

I have done the walls and removed all the lovely things that are ruined and checked the mattress and all the other soft furnishings - am waiting on the letting agent to come and check the outside to make sure its not the guttering etc and they need ot pull up the carpet as well as its tacked down and dont want to ruin it myself.

Once all that is done though and its just the coldness etc and not to do with the house then the radiator is better? will do.

Am panicking about dds health - the mould isnt dreadful but you can smell it -would you put dd in with her brother with all the trouble that will ensue or leave her in there?

I dont dust a lot but tbh there isnt a lot to dust in there - its a tiny room.

They are coming round tonight dh has just informed me so will have to spend the whole day cleaning the rest of the house.

Thats what I'm worried about - that we wont be able to get rid and then we are paying lots for effectively a 2 bed house.

Renting is such a pita.

Thanks for the advice - much appreciated.

Dehumidifier really worked for us to stop mould recurring.

ohmeohmy - did you have a mini one - ie the argos ones for 45quid or a bigger one for 75quid? the bigger one is going to be hard before christmas...

yes and no - if iots caused by external stuff then yes if its just that we havent had the heating on enough then we will have to sort it I think.

I have a larger one but in a 4 bed terrace.

Dehumidifiers are brilliant. Definitely get one and leave it on 24/7 for a week or so - you'll be amazed at the water that comes out! Mould and Mildew Remover is good too, but until the cause is solved you'll be doing it over and over again.

if you are in a rental with small children it is up to the owners to shell out for any things which you need to fix it....dont pay fr anything...demand the agents sort it.

Mould can be VERY dangerous.

Thanks all - agent coming in 25mins...

we have one of these

They are cheap and it keeps our caravan moisture free.

Ask LL for dehumidifier - and do not underestimate the extra electricity it will use. Maybe ask for a contribution towards bill as well?

A friend of mine is having a similar problem in her rented property and she has a newborn :( She is already looking for a new place though as the LL is useless (although has provided a dehumidifier).

It needs scrubbing, and bleaching and maybe repainting. hope the landlord is helpful!

Well the agent came round and said that it wasnt our fault as the windows are completely dry and mouldfree ie it isnt a condensation/lack of ventilation...so shes going to advise the landlord. God knows how long it will take.

Given Agents comments seems like dehumidifier not the answer then. But just to echo others, landlord should provide even if condensation is the problem. We lived in a very damp flat (pre kids fortunately). Landlords provided a dehumifier to help, of course we had to pay for the electric to run the thing tho!

Where do you live? I have a very good dehumidifier you could borrow for a few months until you can get your own.

I bought it when we lived in a mouldy house it made dd's asthma really bad and I was terrified of her coughing most nights we have moved now so you are welcome to borrow it.

I am in Yorkshire.

Pauline thats a lovely offer - we're in the southeast though. I think if the agent tells the landlord that we need one they will hopefully send one though.

Now just need to get the black mould spots out of dds wall hanging - a handmade canvas print that my sister had commissioned when she was born. Am a bit wary of washing it in the antimould stuff or anything with bleach in it...

You will def need to try a small area first but I saw on one of those "how clean is your houses" that they were cleaning a mouldy patterned fabric roller blind by gently sponging a weak milton & water solution onto it. Not sure though if this would bleach the print.

I use a dehumifier v good though do use lots of electric.

If you are sure damp caused by condensation ie not pentrating from external sources (roof, guttering etc) you need to ensure room is heated and ventilated properly, allowing air to circulate around furniture.

your landlord is responsible for this in some ways ;

is house ventilated with adeqate fans and slot vents in windows

is radiater adequate for room, a plumber can do a calculation, may need for example a double rad

i would use bleach to remove mould

sorry for any typos am typing one handed

Are they allowed to say that you should leave a window slightly open in winter? She asked me ths and I said no we dont because dd is in it and it would be freezing.

Mind you I think it is the roof etc as last year we did exactly the same things and didnt get mould.

Will try the cleaning method - thanks.

Try asking on freecycle if anyone has one you can borrow/have. But if it's an external problem it will only get worse. :(

Bleach will not kill mould on a porous surface, like a wall etc. The molecules will not penetrate. It will bleach but not kill.

You need to mix borax and white vinegar, spray on, let soak, wipe mould off. With kitchen roll. Wearing a mask. Discard used wipes.

Soak fabric things in borax and vinegar. Google it, you'll see.

Get an Airfree air steriliser - will kill spores in the room as they circulate.

That plus dehumidifier will really help.

You really can't afford to not do something. Mould is killer.

Watching with interst as we've just found a large patch of white mould in DS1's room. I am being a bit ignorant, but why a killer? Will get DH on the case tomorrow. Good luck OP in getting yours sorted too.