mould.

[maggie01]

We have been in our property three years and for the last two about Nov Dec we seem to get some mould in the wardrobe. They are fitted wardrobes and they are on an outside wall which I know is not a good idea. Its a white mould which washes off leaving no trace and I wipe all the wardrobe and shelves out with white vinegar. I usually have to do this two or three times throught the winter. Its annoying because I have to leave the wardrobe doors ajar all the time. Short of taking them down and replacing them. Any suggestions please.  We cant find anything damp on  the outside wall.

[Buenchico]

Mould formation requires moisture, which has got to have come from somewhere. You've probably been looking at the outside wall immediately behind the wardrobe but it's more likely that the moisture is coming down from above. You should get a builder to check the guttering and the areas around it but, before you go to this expense, there's one other thing worth checking: Instead of looking around or above the area of the mould, try looking below it. Find the air brick(s) in the outer wall. If you've got anything blocking the flow of air (e.g. a build up of soil) this would explain the build up of moisture between the walls.

Chris

[maggie01]

Thanks I will give it a go. Hope I can find something.

[Woodsz]

Hi Maggie  One of the main reasons that mould grows in the winter is because we all lock up all windows to keep the drafts out and the heat in to make the house warm. This stops the air flow and the build up of moister, the moister hits the outside walls witch is cold and sets off the mould. If you know anyone that has a dehumidifier borrow that and you will be amazed how much water you get out of the air. Better still buy one it will take about a month to dry the house out completely, and kill all the mould. Leave it running all the winter, somewhere central in the house it doesn�t take a lot to run I will make you this promise IF you do get one you will never live without one again. We had exactly the same problem as you have. We called the builder in and he told us to get the dehumidifier and we have had one for about twenty five years now You will still get a lot of water in the dehumidifier from steam from the bath, kettles etc. and another bonus when the house is dried out and you have the central heating on you are warming dry air and get the comfort of that too 

[maggie01]

We don't get the mould anywhere else in the propery only on this one wall. I will look in to the humidifier. I do get a bit paranoid when I see the damp and have to be very carefull what I put in the wardrobe especially shoes. Its a pain in the backside.

[joko]

I have exactly the same problem, drives me mad. I liberally dowsed the whole thing with neat bleach from a spray bottle, and all the surrounding walls and poured it down the tiny gap between the wall and wardrobe, and it hasn't been back in years.

be careful on old woods as they may have been treated and react with the bleach. i wore a mask and kept leaving the room and had a fan blowing and windows open until it had dried out