Why are my clothes all mildew?

Question

Our house was built in early 70s and my dad installed a brand new wardrobe only 2years ago. But I've been mnoticing since last summer that any clothes in there have a mouldy smell and some have mildew on them. I don't think it's a damp problem coz I had a coat dry cleaned and hung it back in its bag and lately took it out to wear and it wa sruined. Any ideas or suggestions on how to prevent this? please

Answer 1

MOTHS

Answer 2

I'm not sure what you mean by "I don't think it's a damp problem..." because you're not going to get mold/mildew without moisture. If the coat was in a dry-cleaning bag that's open on the bottom, that won't keep it dry. If you have a sealed zipper bag for the coat, but the coat had soaked up humidity before you put it in the bag, then this would also create a good mold environment.

I'm living in a rather damp rainy place myself (Pacific Northwest in USA) and most of my classmates have mildew in their homes because of:

Leaky roof that gets water inside the walls
Seal up the house too well so steam from showers never gets out
Plumbing leak (did they use plastic piping? it was common then and springs leaks after 25 years or so)
Moisture can condense on the walls if they are cold from insufficient insulation

Your dad needs to check for any kind of leaks. If there aren't any leaks and it's just because you get a lot of rain and the house is closed up etc., get a dehumidifier.

Mold is unhealthy besides ruining your clothes and smelling bad! I'm allergic to mold and some of my friends have gotten very sick from living in moldy apartments. I have a dehumidifier at my apartment, and it's much pleasanter and healthier--my towels dry out, no musty odors, even reduces dust mites.

Answer 3

Do you live on the coast? Or in a place that is damp and foggy a lot? Then probably a dehumidifier unit in your house and leaving the closet door open might solve the problem.

Or if there is a water leak problem (leaky roof, leaky outside wall, pipe leak) which makes the wall in your closet damp, it needs to be repaired.

Very moist air trapped in a space is a good environment for mildew and mold to form and grow.

Answer 4

You have a water problem or a dampness problem in your closet... Keep the door open and either run a fan or get some damprid for the closet. It comes in a tub it's like crystals/beads that soak up excess moisture. I think it changes colors when it needs to be changed... Try that, but you might want to find the source of the dampness. You might want to store your clothing elsewhere in the meantime ! good luck

Answer 5

Open the doors to your closet . . . mold or mildew is caused by the following . . . damp (as mentioned) and lack of air circulation. Generally both qualifiers are found in a home that has mold. Individually, neither are a big deal, but combined will cause mold.

Answer 6

The development of mold is enhanced in damp places and in the absence of ventilation. By improving ventilation with an exhaust fan or by just opening a hole on the doors of the wardrobe, I believe you will solve your problem.

Answer 7

use a chemical dryer like calcium chlorate.. you got water or moisture in there somewere.. also store your stuff in plasitic tubs and put a little bowl of calcium chlorate in that.
http://www.flexconbins.com/category.php?categoryid=40
this is what you need i use stuff like this for soring stuff
http://www.fastbrowser.net/13-oz-Dry-Out-Dehumidifier.htm
just put it in a little plasitc tub like for butter and put holes in the top and it'll do its thing.

Answer 8

you need an air exchanger