Mould and mildew thrive in damp, dark and poorly ventilated spaces, so wardrobes are a common target. But by following a few simple steps, you can easily prevent mould from growing on clothes, shoes and anything else you have stored away.
Rather than ‘set and forget’ your wardrobe, the key is to store your clothing correctly and inspect it regularly to ensure mould never has a chance to set in.
Wondering how to prevent mould growing in your wardrobe? These four handy tips will help!
4 ways to prevent mould growth in your wardrobe
Once you’ve emptied your wardrobe, treated the mould build-up, removed mould stains from the clothing and ensured that there’s no sign of current mould, consider these steps to help prevent more mould growth:
- Minimise condensation by making sure your wardrobe isn’t tightly fitted against the wall.
- Declutter your clothing and donate or sell any items you no longer wear. This will make sure your wardrobe isn’t overflowing. Clothes jammed in your wardrobe will prevent air-flow which can create an environment that is ideal for mould growth.
- Never hang damp clothes in your wardrobe. Always make sure they’re dry before storing.
- If you’re storing clothes that you don’t plan on wearing for a while, vacuum seal them to prevent moisture getting in.
Common causes of mould growth in wardrobes
Condensation
Condensation frequently occurs due to rising humidity levels in your house. Mould, a type of fungi, typically forms due to moisture. The biggest cause of rising humidity is a lack of ventilation. For example, an abundance of clothes in your closet, or a freestanding wardrobe that is pushed up tightly towards the wall.
Typically, if you have clothes, accessories or shoes that haven’t been worn in a while, they are more susceptible to mould in a wardrobe as there is less airflow. Leather is a huge victim.
Damp Clothing
This is one of the biggest mistakes that people make. Often when you wash clothes, you’re in a rush to put them away so they’re not floating around the house.
But if your clean clothes are still damp when you put them in your wardrobe, it leads to a build up of moisture in an area that won’t get much ventilation or daylight.
Accessories to help keep mould at bay
Ridding your wardrobe of mould can be a big task that you probably won’t want to experience again. Luckily there are wardrobe accessories and gadgets that can help keep your wardrobe free from mould and mildew.
01
IW25-5 In Wall Dehumidifier
$3499, IXL
If you live in a poorly ventilated home and find yourself constantly battling mould and mildew, investing in a permanent solution is worth it. IXL’s in-wall unit controls excessive moisture, operates without a tank (so you don’t have to empty the water) and helps curb poor indoor air quality, mould and property damage. It can easily be installed in new constructions and retrofitted into existing homes and apartments.
IXL products are made in Australia by an Australian-owned company.
02
Breville The Refresha mini dehumidifier and drying base
$89, David Jones
Mildew taking over your wardrobe and destroying all of your investment pieces? Reduce moisture in your wardrobe and prevent musty odours by investing in Breville’s mini dehumidifier called ‘The Refresha’.
It can be used in wardrobes, drawers and cupboards, in suitcases and handbags. It has a 2-hour drying cycle and automatically turns off when the cycle is finished. It doesn’t emit chemicals or particles, so is totally safe to use around children and pets. It is energy efficient and doesn’t require electricity to do its thing.
03
DampRid hanging moisture absorber (3-pack)
$37.04, Amazon
Old fashioned moisture absorbing pouches can work wonders to keep excess moisture at bay in your wardrobe. This value pack of three by DampRid not only freshens the air and removes excess moisture, it also leaves a subtle lavender and vanilla fragrance – so your clothing always smells fresh and clean.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
