We live in Georgia and have had a very wet summer. Our 34ft 5th wheel has been covered since June. We have not had the chance to get out with it all summer and now are going next week on vaca. Imagine our surprise when we uncovered it today, went inside and found every surface covered with mildew. We used a bleach/water combo to clean walls, cabinets. Took out all bedding, jackets, vacumned, washed etc. but am now pretty concerned about the furniture,carpet and the mattress. Can anyone tell me what kind of product can safely be sprayed on carpet,sofa,chairs,valances and even the day night shades got it. I am washing every dish and pan in the dishwasher, any paper products am throwing out. Nothing was left untouched. I would appreciate any help we can get please. Thank you

The first thing to do is remove the moisture and the source of the moisture. You might find it beneficial to run a dehumidifier. Mold cannot live in a low humidity environment. A product containing hydrogen peroxide will kill the mols spores.

Lysol will kill both mold and mildew spores. Be very careful that you don't inhale the spores from either one or you could get quite ill.

get some microban Thyme based cleaner and have at it.Safe for everything in the unit and safe for you.

Open some roof vents and windows when you store your RV. Mold grows in the dark let light in in storage.Pogoil.

I wouldn't cover it again and leave a vent open. Buy the products that collect the humidity for the future. Lysol is great to kill things. You might want to contact one of the companies that does mold remediation and ask their advice. Perhaps there is a "bomb" type can that you can put off that will kill everything and then you can just vacuum.

help. camper full of mildew | Good Sam Community

MitchF150
Explorer III
Sep 19, 2013
The Dung Beetles wrote:
One of my coworkers puts the humidifier in the RV bathtub (and runs the cord over the side to an extension cord). Over flow goes right down the drain. We have been thinking of doing that.
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Hey Dung.. I also live in W.Wa (Puyallup) and have covered my TT every winter for the last 10 years or so.. I'm still using the same cover too.. It's an ADCO breathable type and I've never had a single dot of mold in my trailer.. I also run 2 of those 'Dryz-Air' things. It's only a 22' trailer and I place one in the back and one in the front.

I also crack open my vents while it's covered. I do not run the heater and I do not have a separate dehumidifer.

This is only what has worked for me, so take it for what it's worth..

Here is why I cover my TT... It sits under trees, so without a cover, it would be dead by now..

Mitch
The_Dung_Beetle
Explorer
Sep 19, 2013
One of my coworkers puts the humidifier in the RV bathtub (and runs the cord over the side to an extension cord). Over flow goes right down the drain. We have been thinking of doing that.
.
down_home
Explorer II
Sep 19, 2013
A Dehumidifer is hard to find around here this year. We have had rain, until late last month, most days. The Basement has leakage from the earth and mold.
We've not had any problems with the motor home in that regard but cool or cold and damp weather a dehumidifer would be welcome. Got one on order for our basement and will have one for the motor home before we head out next time.
If you are not going to check on the RV every day or two in the kind of weather we have been having e sure to run a discharge line to a drain. The included buckets will probably overfill.
The_Dung_Beetle
Explorer
Sep 18, 2013
I'm not trying to sell anything, but I did some web sniffing and found this link. THEY ARE trying to sell something, but I got quite a bit of "optimum humidity" information from reading this link.

Here's a quote "Another product to invest in is a hygrometer. This useful utility measures humidity so you know exactly how high it's actually getting. Recommended humidity levels are between30% and 50%. If humidity levels in your RV are exceeding this point, then you definitely need a dehumidifier".

Humidity Levels in Stored RVs

Also, the guy we bought our TT from told us that EVERY MORNING when they got up *it was a family of 5 sleeping in it* they took those blue shop towels and wiped down all the interior windows. I am AMAZED at how much water we get off the windows when we do that.
2012Coleman
Explorer II
Sep 18, 2013
We leave for vaca for St. Augustine in a few day
What camp ground are you staying at?
flyinjake
Explorer
Sep 18, 2013
Originally purchased my Frigidare dehumidifier and the instructions stated to run continously the first several days. Did that and had to empty the 30 pint (may be the 50 pint model) container within three days. Probably needed it in two but I was not there. After that I set it to 50 which I found that it did not run all the time. By the way its a 31ft TT. Since then I set it to 35 and I have noticed it still does not run all the time which is good.

You can definetly notice the difference inside the trailer. I do not want mine to run all the time but I do want it to keep dry. Need to find what a good humidty level is.

Jake
Heish
Explorer
Sep 16, 2013
Dehumidifiers have controls that allow you to adjust the amount of humidity. During the winter humidity doesn't seem to be and issue since it is much lower in colder weather.
The_Dung_Beetle
Explorer
Sep 16, 2013
Dakzuki wrote:
2012Coleman wrote:
So in a damp climate, the advice to the OP is leave windows open and get Damprid? :h

Somebody correctly stated that moisture causes mildew. If your TT is dry with no leaks, it seems to me letting in humid damp air is asking for problems.

I button the RV up tight, and run a dehumidifier along with Dry Z Air. Leaving vents open in the Pacific Northwet just raises the humidity level as it is damp ALL winter here except when it's below freezing.

Does your dehumidifier run 24/7 or do you just run it occasionally? We're not sure how often to run it.

Thanks in advance.
The_Dung_Beetle
Explorer
Sep 16, 2013
Dakzuki wrote:
2012Coleman wrote:
So in a damp climate, the advice to the OP is leave windows open and get Damprid? :h

Somebody correctly stated that moisture causes mildew. If your TT is dry with no leaks, it seems to me letting in humid damp air is asking for problems.

I button the RV up tight, and run a dehumidifier along with Dry Z Air. Leaving vents open in the Pacific Northwet just raises the humidity level as it is damp ALL winter here except when it's below freezing.

Thank you thank you! Leaving vents open in the PNW made no sense to me. I'll do as you suggested. I already found a used dehumidifier.
.
Dakzuki
Explorer
Sep 16, 2013
2012Coleman wrote:
So in a damp climate, the advice to the OP is leave windows open and get Damprid? :h

Somebody correctly stated that moisture causes mildew. If your TT is dry with no leaks, it seems to me letting in humid damp air is asking for problems.

I button the RV up tight, and run a dehumidifier along with Dry Z Air. Leaving vents open in the Pacific Northwet just raises the humidity level as it is damp ALL winter here except when it's below freezing.