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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Are my mouldy curtain liners doomed? Any tips on mould removal?

39 replies

linspins · 13/01/2016 17:28

We get condensation and it makes the curtain linings a bit damp, leading to mould. It's in vertical stripes, just on the each fold nearest the window. The linings aren't removable. Are my curtains doomed to look grim, or has anyone got a good method of mould removal?

Are my mouldy curtain liners doomed? Any tips on mould removal?
Are my mouldy curtain liners doomed? Any tips on mould removal?
OP posts:
WhoTheFuckIsSimon · 13/01/2016 17:34

I was just coming to start a thread on the same subject! But mine is also the actual curtains as well as the liners.

Ideas im toying with.....

Dry cleaning? Expensive
Soaking in Milton??

Ive machine washed them previously when it was just a bit on the liner and it helped but didn't get rid of all of it and now it's on the front of the curtain I need to sort it!

linspins · 13/01/2016 17:55

Totally can't afford dry cleaning at the moment...but keen not to ruin curtains too! I'm wondering if I can sneakily spray bleach on the linings without getting it on curtains, then shower it off somehow...

OP posts:
vichill · 13/01/2016 18:19

Helps if the lining barely attached to the curtain but yes can bleach spray the lining. Will be slightly yellow after but looks better than living black mould.

WhoTheFuckIsSimon · 13/01/2016 18:45

I have a steam cleaner , would that help?

Scrubbing with bicarbonate of soda?

Oldieandgoldie · 13/01/2016 19:24

I'm another who would like to know.

(Slovens unite? BlushBlush)

Pointlessfan · 13/01/2016 19:26

I would like to know too!

WhoKn0wsWhereTheMistletoes · 13/01/2016 19:28

Me too Blush

linspins · 13/01/2016 19:38

I've no idea about steam cleaners, but I wish we had one. Friend with neat clean house has one, and raves about it.
It's that mould time of year...
It's not good that so many of us have grim mouldy curtains. I try hard to keep the house aired, and not put wet washing on the radiators etc, but a family does make quite a bit of damp air. And our front room windows are big and cold, hence the condensation, which then goes on the curtains. I'm betting my curtains will shrink and the liner won't!

OP posts:
PingPongBat · 13/01/2016 19:41

I've been wondering this too Blush

I'm going to replace ours they are so bad (but they are 10+) years old.

WhoTheFuckIsSimon · 13/01/2016 19:43

My curtains are 14 years old. Maybe I should get new ones. But our damp is bad even with a dehumidifier and I think new ones would end up the same.

Plus it's a big bay window. I would need made to measure curtains I reckon and am pricing cheap ones up at £300plus!!!

WhoKn0wsWhereTheMistletoes · 13/01/2016 19:45

I'm thinking replace the linings, they were very solid blackout ones for the DCs bedrooms when they were babies, they don't even shut the curtains half the time now and they are very bulky with these linings. I imagine a steam cleaner will kill it off but not get rid of black marks and won't stop it coming back. I love my steam cleaner Smile

Fuckitfay · 13/01/2016 19:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Fuckitfay · 13/01/2016 19:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WhoTheFuckIsSimon · 13/01/2016 19:55

Ive got two £200 dehumidifiers running 24/7

Pointlessfan · 13/01/2016 20:21

We have massive issues with condensation, worse than usual this year. How big are dehumidifiers please and would we need one in each room? Are they noisy if left on overnight? Thanks.

linspins · 13/01/2016 20:52

There are various mould laundry sprays around, any one know if they work?

OP posts:
Fuckitfay · 13/01/2016 21:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WhoTheFuckIsSimon · 13/01/2016 21:43

Fuckitfay, what make/model do you have please?

Pointlessfan · 13/01/2016 21:47

Thanks. Do you empty it then?

isthatmorelego · 13/01/2016 21:47

Not got time to read all thread but try white vinegar and just wash in that I still put wash liquid myself works great on shower curtains that go black with mould

Fuckitfay · 13/01/2016 22:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

sofiahelin · 14/01/2016 09:07

Hi once you've got them clean again, my mum came up with a good solution weird but works - you know the silver things you put on a car windscreen, you can get them from £ land or b&m bargains. She cut that and sew onto the bottom third of the lining. Sounds strange but they are thin & also stop the curtain absorbing the condensation. I'll take a picture next time I'm there

WhoTheFuckIsSimon · 14/01/2016 09:28

That sounds a good idea. I will have to look at a new ebac dehumidifier

TannhauserGate · 14/01/2016 09:33

Mine were the removable type, so I soaked them in Milton (possibly for a couple of days) then machine washed, and they were fine.
There was some residual staining, but no actual mould.

Tarrarra · 14/01/2016 09:41

I had the same problem on DS's curtains. I sprayed them with Dettol Mould and Mildew remover, left for about 5 mins and washed them on a low temp in the washing maching (whilst keeping fingers crossed).

Wilko do hanging dehumidifiers and I have put some in the bay window area to collect the moisture, they cost about £5 I think and last a few months? B&Q and Tesco also do ones that don't run on electricity but absorb moisture...