Need Help With Mildew
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03-09-2009, 06:14
Post: #4
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Need Help With Mildew
Mildew has a musty odor -- if that is present, then it's likely mildew. A diluted bleach solution will kill the mildew, but may damage some materials (test first). MIldew, however, is usually black. Wear rubber gloves when cleaning with a bleach solution and either use a commercial produce (such as Tilex mildew remover) or use a 'safe' formula from an online household tips web site. (A drop of detergent will help 'cut' the build-up, but putting the wrong additives into a bleach solution can cause a potentially deadly release of chlorine.)
More likely, however, is that the closed up windows allowed condensation to form with the changing temperature cycles. The 'brown stuff' is the combination of dust, cooking vapors, and other stuff in the air that was distributed over the walls and cabinets, then dissolved by the condensation, only to form more noticeable spots when the condensate eventually evaporated. If there were any smokers in the vehicle, then it will also be tobacco residue. If that is the case, the usual household cleaners* ought to take it off with a modest bit of elbow grease. Again, some surfaces are more durable than others, so test clean aninconspicuousarea first, let it thoroughly dry and evaluate for any damage or color changes. *Things like Formula 409, "multi-surface" cleaners, etc. The next time you store the coach, get some 'dehumidifier' kits from a grocery or place like Walgreens. These are a plastic container (about the size of a cottage cheese container) that has a white chemical held in a shallow upper container that drains into the lower, larger container than holds the whole thing. The primary chemical is calcium chloride which is also used as a 'road salt.' There are also silica gel packs. These hold the water inside the material and some can be reactivated by heating it (to dry it out) in an oven. Since it's hard to tell when the silica gel us 'used up' the calcium chloride offers the advantage of dissolving as it's used, so it's pretty obvious when it's 'worn out.' Care must be taken, as the calcium chloride is fairly corrosive and the liquid should be disposed of to avoid damaging metal plumbing. After some humidity problems encountered in Texas this last fall, we put calcium chloride dehumidifiers in the cabinets in the galley area (where the problem was most evident) and it did a good job of drying things out. Pete Masterson '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42 (For Sale) El Sobrante CA "aeonix1@mac.com" On Mar 9, 2009, at 9:35 AM, nslinkman wrote:
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Messages In This Thread |
Need Help With Mildew - nslinkman - 03-09-2009, 05:35
Need Help With Mildew - Leroy Eckert - 03-09-2009, 06:02
Need Help With Mildew - Leroy Eckert - 03-09-2009, 06:09
Need Help With Mildew - Pete Masterson - 03-09-2009 06:14
Need Help With Mildew - Steve Pfiffner - 03-09-2009, 08:09
Need Help With Mildew - nelson slinkman - 03-09-2009, 08:37
Need Help With Mildew - nelson slinkman - 03-09-2009, 08:43
Need Help With Mildew - Pete Masterson - 03-09-2009, 08:56
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