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

[MitchF150]

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.
.

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]

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]

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]

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]

We leave for vaca for St. Augustine in a few day

What camp ground are you staying at?

[flyinjake]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[allen8106]

I had a car that this happened to. stored under a cover under a roof in an old shed. I had a blown head. It set like this for about a year. When I went to pull it out to work on the engine I discovered every surface in it had mold on it. I scrapped the car.

[pjkn]

Thanks and it sounds like others have had the same issue this year. I found some mold mildew remover at walmart that was safe for upholstery. I spent 2 days cleaning the camper in 90 degree weather but we think we got is all cleaned up. Have kept the windows open and fan on,sofa cushions have been outside airing out for 5 days. We leave for vaca for St. Augustine in a few day and we will be running the a/c so should get good and dried out. I still want to get some microban and unless I find a place that sells it locally will have to order on line. We will probably put the cover back on but use damp rid and crack a window, possibly open vents,depends on the weather. We will be sure to keep an eye on it. This new ADCO cover is great but they are a pain to take on and off a lot and apparently it was nice and dark in there along with all the dampness did us in. An RV port would be the ticket but is not an option at the moment.

[2012Coleman]

Air circulation can be accomplished by a battery powered fan if electricity is not available. You can find them on Amazon. You may also be able to find something solar powered. I cover my TT in storage closed up tight. Damprid will be added this time as a backup measure.

[dennislanier]

I also live in Georgia and you are right about the rain and humidity this year. AFTER you get it cleaned up, I have found one thing that helps. I don't cover my MH, and since it is stored at home I go inside it at least once a week and check things out. I have a thermometer that also has a gauge for humidity inside the MH. This time of year it is usually a high reading on the gauge. If you have access to power, you can simply turn on your air conditioner and let it run for quite a while to de-humidify. Or if you have an onboard generator to power the AC that is good for both the generator to run (exercise) and good for the AC too. Don't know that keeping a vent open to let in humid air is a good idea, but air circulation from the AC would certainly help. Good luck.