help. camper full of mildew

[pjkn]

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_Dung_Beetle]

I've been keeping an eye on this thread and while I've learned a lot I'm still confused on the winter care of our TT. Where we lived in the past humidity was not ever a problem.

I've come to the conclusion that we are not going to cover it (sure glad I figured that out BEFORE we purchased the cover). Hopefully we can get a bay type cover built for it next year. We live in W. WA and our humidity and rain factor are certainly an issue.

I found a nice used dehumidifier that I'm going to run in it a couple times a week. I've been keeping a lg. bucket of Walmart moisture granules in it whenever we are not using it.

I also keep the bathroom vent cracked open, and a galley/kitchen window open about 1/2". I too wondered about the logic of keeping windows cracked open during the winter for ventilation then battling the moisture inside. I understand the benefits of keeping the blinds pulled up for the rare days that we DO get some sunshine.

Does running the heater help? If I have it plugged in to run the dehumidifier I can alternate and run the furnace occasionally too.

I have asthma, and a moldy TT will do me in.

[2012Coleman]

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.

[WoodGlue]

If you aren't able to be plugged in, DampRid is the excellent choice. Available at WalMart and WalMart online. Put a few cannisters around the RV and check on it every couple of weeks.

There is another trick: Get one of those disposable aluminum baking pans and lay down a layer of cat litter, then another layer of DampRid and that will last a little longer.

I really wish RV mfgs got the clue that the reason we all want to cover our RV's is to protect the roof. Why they can't make a snap on roof cover is beyond me.

WoodGlue

[down_home]

We had tw or three days in June and again in July where it was very humid. Heck it has rained three out of four days this summer.
Anyway some wind brought in a load of mold spores and mildew spores but not so much. The woodwork and the wood chairs etc on the porches turned black as did the basement garage door. We used mold armor spray on a hose end and rinsed and got most of it but it left traces in the oak chairs. Will have to do a lot of cleaning with something strong, when we bring them in for the winter. You could smell it in the air it was funky. Changed the air conditioner filters and cleaned everything inside with Lysol. Thankfully it didn't get inside. Will have to check the coach. It is stored inside though.

[colliehauler]

In a damp area a dehumidifier is a good investment.

[flyinjake]

Same here also in Georgia. We had the vents open with no cover and its all over the place. Part of the problem was not using it because every time they predicted lots of rain so we would cancel before getting ready. We continue to wipe, wash and now we purchased a dehumidifier to keep in the trailer while not in use. We have found the Clorox wipes to be handy but ultimately everything is coming out and being cleaned.

[Heish]

I went into the garage last week where I keep my "fun" cars. Got part of the way in one of the vetts and found the entire inside covered in mildew. This is a large garage that has 5 cars in it. Every one of the cars was covered in mildew inside. Couldn't believe it. Never happened before. Thank heavens they are all "little cars". To dehumidify that garage would be almost impossible. This is in NC.

[darbyjudy]

I live in central florida and this year has been very wet and humid. I went out and opened the Motor Home and found mold growing on some of the doors and woodwork. I invested in a dehumidifier and was I ever surprised on how much water is being pulled out of the air. I now use it all the time set on 45% humidify. It sure make a difference in how things smell and look. Good investment.

[portscanner]

I am also in Georgia and even with no cover, one window open, roof vents open, fantastic fan set to come on when it warmed up, this year I ended up with the worst mildew I have ever seen. No surface was unaffected.

I put on a face mask, unloaded everything, and sprayed and wiped everything down with lysol. BTW: my face mask included charcol filters which is a good thing. A large amount of lysol in a confined space is INTENSE!

Note 2: Turn off all pilot lights and the propane detector and/or disconnect batteries and power. Otherwise you will be setting off the propane detector

[louiskathy]

Damp Rid makes SPRAY ON products to kill mold and take care of stains and block the mold from returning. One has a red nozzle and the other a blue nozzle. I found them at Lowe's in Washington. You might be able to find them online.

you can spray fabric and it's not harmful on skin - but don't inhale it (wear a mask) and wash your arms, face and hands after you spray every surface in the coach including the glass windows.

Get a room air purifier that WILL TAKE CARE OF MOLD - and use it as much as you can while you are traveling to take care of what's in the air. You can't get it all and a good air purifier will be worth it.

Sears sells a mattress cover - like tyvak. Flexible and not plastic. It goes on like a pillow case. Protects from moisture, bugs, mildew/mold resistant etc etc. Buy new pillows.

[wannavolunteerF]

take mattress, cushions and anything else you can outside and put in the sun all day for at least a day (two would be even better).. just watch for rain showers and put inside before it can get dew on it. spray it heavily with Lysol while it is outside.

[robsouth]

And don't put a cover on it again.

[DUNEBUGGYDOUG]

Please get you some containers of Damp-Rid. after you get it cleaned up ,put out a. few of them and no more problems .You can buy them most any place maybe different name.They work

[twins89]

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.

[Pogoil]

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

Pogoil.