Mould everywhere...

[Merrow]

We are finally leaving our damp ridden flat, and have suddenly been confronted with exactly how damaging it has been. We have been attacking mould with white vinegar whenever we have seen it, but it seems not to be enough, and it keeps on creeping back. In particular we have a wooden desk that is really badly affected.

We'd like to deal with the problem of the mould on our furniture definitively before we move, so it's not something we bring into the new place. Does anyone have any tips? Ideally things that won't damage wood, but if needsust we can refinish it.

www.lakeland.co.uk/20284/HG%20Mould%20Remover/all-reviews is very good, but i am not sure how damaging it would be to wood?

the spores are everywhere, but only grow in suitable conditions.

mould is caused by damp, most often by people draping wet washing around their home and over radiators.

If nobody does that in the new home, and the bathroom extractor is used to take the steam out, and the rooms, especially bedrooms, are well ventilated, then your new home is unlikely to suffer from mould.

Honest answer - if you can bare to part with it then throw it.

The spores are everywhere and so difficult to kill they will spread in your new place. Yes they need moisture warmth and darkness to grow which you can control but you really are better to get rid.

(have been researching mould a lot lately after getting it growing in my carpet :(

If you don't have a tumble drier or an outside space how do you dry your washing without "draping it" around the home?

We had a mould problem in our last flat, it was odd went from 3 people living there, fine and dry, 4 people living there damp and mouldy and gross. We used a weak bleach solution on any areas of mould, we took most of our furniture with us to the new house and touch wood haven't had a problem since.

When we took up the living room carpet to chuck it was really disgusting, smelt like wet dog .

hello thornrose

that's a different question.

Draping wet washing causes condensation, damp and mould. Keeping windows shut causes condensation, damp and mould. Not using a bathroom extractor causes condensation, damp and mould.

The OP asked for tips about mould.

OP: In Australia during the floods, oil of cloves sold out as people used it to kill the mould on their belongings, so they made their own mould killer:

20 whole cloves, crushed in a mortar and pestle until they are the size of small peppercorns. Add 2 tablespoons of methylated spirits and keep crushing. Add to a container with 20 tablespoons of boiling water and leave for 20 minutes. Strain it into a container and dilute 2 tablespoons of the tincture into a litre of water. You can then use this to kill mould around the house.

Also bleach leave surfaces in a perfect alkaline state to regrow mould so surfaces should be wiped with vinegar afterwards as acid retards mould growth.....

HTH

Thanks for all the replies!

The mould is mainly a result of us trying to live in London without the highest wages in the world - the brickwork is really shoddy. The main areas of damp are caused by a layers of concrete missing outside, and one bit where there is no damp-proofing between our neighbour's adjoining wall and the side of our building. We complained to the landlord so much that he eventually sent someone round, but apparently it was too expensive to fix. We're moving to a much nicer place, so I think (hope) normal things like keeping the place well ventilated will actually work.

Some of the things we have just chucked, we've had to throw away bookcases, and some other smaller things. I am dreading finding more damaged things as we pack. But there are some things that are too sentimental to simply get rid of - the desk is the one that my DP got me when I started my post-grad course, and there is an acoustic guitar that was a birthday gift we're concerned about.

I'm glad to hear about your experience MrsJohnMurphy, it gives me hope! My DP is really worried about destroying our new place by bringing over a problem. I will try bleach solution followed by vinegar, and try and hunt down some oil of cloves (or the ingredients to make it).