How to get rid of mold in a clothes closet
Mold appears due to exposure to fungi. On the surface it appears in the form of blue or yellowish spots and develops quickly, affecting objects around it. The result of mold growth in the closet is an unpleasant odor that is difficult to remove.
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Methods to combat mold in the closet
In the wardrobe, processing can be carried out only after it has been freed from things. There are two simple ways that will destroy fungal spores and also save the wood from damage.
The first method is to treat wood with soda. This option is suitable even for a children's locker, as it is completely safe. In 1 liter of water you need to dilute 4 tbsp. l. baking soda, then wash the inside of the cabinet with this mixture. Leave the doors open for about a week.
The next method is bleach with chlorine. But this method is not suitable for everyone, since bleach can cause allergies in some people. This option can be used to process a wardrobe containing adult clothes.
First, you need to take out all the things and dry the interior of the furniture with a fan, only then can you begin disinfection. It is advisable to move the cabinet to fresh air to avoid inhaling toxic fumes.
Mix equal parts of water and bleach and treat all surfaces of the wardrobe inside and out with the resulting mixture, then wash it with plain water. It is best to leave the furniture outside for at least 2 days, this will get rid of the smell of bleach.
Important! When processing items in this way, do not mix various detergents with water, as this can only cause damage to health. Chlorine helps to completely disinfect the surface, which soda cannot do, which it is advisable to use only at the initial stage of the appearance of fungus.
If mold appears on clothes in the closet
All items must be soaked for half an hour in a solution of washing powder and vinegar. Why do you need 2 tbsp for 2 liters of water? l. vinegar and the same amount of powder. Then the clothes must be washed in the usual way and hung outside to dry. After the manipulations, dry clothes must be ironed on both sides.
You can also use the following methods:
- The affected area must be treated with lemon juice and left for 10 minutes. Afterwards, sprinkle the contaminated area with salt and when the stain is dry, wash the clothes in warm water.
- Mix 2-3 tablets of ascorbic acid in 70 ml of alcohol and wipe the contaminated area with this mixture using a cotton pad. Then the clothes must be washed and dried.
- On woolen clothes, stains are removed with turpentine. To do this, soak a cotton pad in liquid and wipe the stain. Then apply clay to this place, wrap it with cloth and iron it thoroughly. Then wash and dry the clothes outside.
- If fungal stains appear on colored items, then ammonia can best cope with this problem; it must be diluted with water in a 1:1 ratio. Then use a cotton pad to treat the contaminated area. After which the laundry must be washed several times.
Non-standard methods of getting rid of mold in the closet
You can remove mold in the following ways:
- An ultraviolet lamp will help remove mold perfectly; it has a detrimental effect on fungal spores. But before disinfection, all pets and indoor flowers must be removed from the premises.
- Extract from grapefruit seeds. A rather non-standard, even exotic method of getting rid of fungus. The main advantage is that this option is completely safe and is not accompanied by any odor. You can buy the extract at a health food store. Directions for use: add 30 drops of extract to 2 glasses of water, pour the composition into a spray bottle and treat the affected surface.
- Tea tree oil. The oil is completely safe for animals and humans; it can be used in any room. There is only one drawback - a pungent odor at the beginning of processing, but it quickly disappears. This product has a detrimental effect on many fungi, bacteria and other pests and therefore will help quickly get rid of mold. Directions for use: mix oil and water in a 1:1 ratio, pour into a spray bottle, shake and spray over the surface.
Preventive actions
Getting rid of mold with chemicals or other drugs will not give the desired effect if preventive measures are not taken:
- After getting rid of mold, the inside walls of the wardrobe must be treated with drying oil or varnished.
- Ventilate the room periodically, organize maximum access of sunlight into the room, for which do not keep the curtains closed during the daytime.
- If the back of the cabinet is made of plywood sheets, then this wall can simply be replaced with a new one.
- Make holes at the bottom of the wardrobe for additional air circulation.
- You should periodically leave the cabinet doors open.
- Do not put dirty and clean items together.
Attention! These preventive measures can be supplemented by installing aromatic sachets in the wardrobe; they will not allow an unpleasant odor to accumulate.
Mold can cause many diseases in humans. To prevent this from happening, you need to regularly monitor the condition of your clothes and furniture. Periodic wet cleaning using disinfectants will significantly reduce the likelihood of fungus formation.