Inside of TT covered in mildew

[campntime]

We have a 2011 Jayco Jayfeather EXP 26P. Had a planned camping trip this weekend and the state park we were staying we about 30min from where we had the TT stored so we packed up truck and headed to get the TT and hookup and straight to the campsite. By the time we got there it was dinner time so we parked camper and head to town for dinner and supplies. It was 9pm when we got back and prior to that I did not really spend any time in camper other than to walk in and out to get something really quick. Anyway we get back and walk inside and me and he DW notice mildew EVERYWHERE. It is on the cabinets parts of the wall and on the bunk mattress and dinette seats, couch, a wooden bowl on the table, hats, everything... We just stared in disbelief. Luckily we were only camping an hour + from home and decided it was not worth staying in the camper and possibly getting sick so we packed up and went home. We will start the cleaning process today and will most likely toss a lot of things but wanted to see if anyone has run into this before and any suggestions in cleaning and sanitizing the TT and what could have caused this to try and prevent it in the future. The TT is only 2 -3 years old and we got it new and have never seen anything like this with our last TT or this one. We are in the Atlanta area and has been a wet spring/summer and the only thing I can think is that upon storing it after last use 2 months ago I left the bathroom vent open and maybe the moist air got in through there and couldn’t escape. It is stored under a pole barn and there are no leaks. If the bathroom vent was the problem I don’t get how the bathroom as little to no mildew in there but the rest of the TT is covered.

[campntime]

OP here,

Thanks everyone for the help and suggestions. Was not able to get in front of the computer this weekend as we spent most of it cleaning the TT. A few more details to answer some questions and better understanding of problem. The TT is about 3 years old, purchased new and is stored at my father in law's in a pole barn surrounded by trees and there is no electric available. Our Jayco has 1 roof vent in the bathroom and it does have a max air vent cover and the vent was open. I believe the problem is due to lack of cross ventilation and only having 1 vent open and no other windows open. With the rainy weather we have had I suspect that with the vent open it was good for the bathroom area which had the least amount/ almost no mildew in there worked for that area. The door to the bathroom door was closed which helped keep the moisture trapped in the rest of the TT and prevented air flow. Upon closer inspection of the problem while doing cleanup was noticed that the majority of the mildew/mold was located in areas where something was spilled by the 5 year DS or where he may have wiped something on the couch and from our previous dog (Boxer)who slobbered a lot and most cabinets/walls at his level where it was not completely cleaned. We do clean the TT well after each use however it is apparent that these areas where not as clean as we had thought started the problem and it spread from there. We checked inside cabinets and closets and had no problems in those areas. It was in the open living area where we found 80% of our problem where previous spills or food particles were not as cleaned as well as we thought. Bottom line is it is apparent that things aren’t as clean as they seem when something is spilled and need to clean under dinette and couch cushions more often as you never know what a 3 - 5 year old my store there for later use. Going forward we will either leave multiple windows opened/cracked and will use Damp rid buckets at each end of the TT when stored and will do the cleaning we just gave it 1 a year regardless of what we see and what can be seen. Our rig is currently cleaner on the inside then it was the day we picked it up and is currently airing out from the various products we use to get it there and is ready to be used. Planning make up trip in a couple of weekend to keep the DS happy. Just need to get new tires and clean the outside before then and all is well. Thanks again for the help and suggestions as we followed along for tips on cleaning and what to do to prevent this from happening again.

[mlts22]

Make sure to put the containers of Damp Rid in larger plastic buckets. The chemical can be pretty caustic, and if it leaks on a surface, can corrode it quickly. The Damp-rid buckets seem sturdy enough, but I like having additional protection.

[LakeN]

the bear II wrote:
Based on the bathroom having little mold compared to the rest of the TT, it sounds like a ventilation problem like others have indicated. The bathroom vent opened prevented mold build up in the bathroom.

Agree......use vent covers, keep them open. add a couple containers of Damp Rid. Good luck!

[westend]

One worry I'd have with any "bomb" application is how much residual chemical is left after the suggested wait time for habitation. I've used and use a variety of chemicals but I don't like living with them.

[DiskDoctr]

Solid surfaces, wipe down with Clorox wipes. Surfaces with a finish may be tricky.

I have thought about using some of this stuff for some spots on our HTT canvas, but haven't tried it yet. They also have a fast release version, but you can't be in the camper while it is being used.

http://www.amazon.com/Star-NosGUARD-Mildew-Control-System/dp/B004O0FP4S

Star brite NosGUARD SG Mold/Mildew Odor Control System works by releasing a deep-penetrating chlorine dioxide vapor that completely permeates throughout an enclosed area. The Slow Release System is ideal for use in preventing odor and maintaining air quality in stored boats, RVs or vacation homes. It is also ideal for year-round use in homes and boats to maintain air quality and to keep mold/mildew odor and other foul odors from forming. The Boat Bomb is ideal for removing strong odors such as those that can form during long-term storage or are the results of smokers or pets onboard.

Opinions welcomed!

[2010Liberty]

I am not in a humid climate but have heard about folks using 5 gallon buckets then mostly fill with rock salt. sit it in the rig when stored and it will absorb moisture. then it can be dried out by spreading it out on a tarp in the sun and reused.

[westend]

There are a variety of mildewcides out there but good old household bleach is very effective. Phenol is also a fungicide and can be used on those surfaces that might be effected by bleach (cloth, cushions, etc.). Phenol is found in Original Lysol cleaner and Listerine mouthwash. I'd bet that a surface scrubbing and airing everything out will get your rig back in shape. If you can increase the ventilation when stored, you should be OK in the future.

[bdpreece]

Rent an ozone machine and leave it running for a couple of days. Ozone will kill the mold and mildew and will get into areas you cant reach. Then start the clean up. Read the health warning about airing out the rig before working inside though as concentrated ozone is harmful to your lungs.

[W_E_BGood]

Just a suggestion to try for cleanup...isopropyl alcohol in a spray bottle, spray it on, let sit for a moment and wipe off with a terry cloth type rag/towel, like a bath/hand towel. Test it first on surfaces your might question.
For cloth material or carpeting, just spray and leave...the alcohol kills the bacteria. It may smell "perfumy" to start with, the odor quickly dissipates and leaves no after-odor.
My experience you ask...I used it on the light colored berber carpet along the baseboards in the basement around the outer walls when they started showing signs of darkening from what turned out to be slight mildew/mold. Then got a dehumidifier. And, when I was a LEO patrol officer, my bullet proof vest cloth liner was always damp, frequently soaked with perspiration at end of shift. I'd always spray it with alcohol before hanging it up to dry. Next day, no dampness, no odor, and it never deteriorated the cotton liner.

[Crawfordville]

I'm really sorry you're experiencing this but it sounds like some really good advice. I live in Tallahassee Fl and once we get our rv back from the dealer and storing it under a shelter I will remember these valuable tips as I'm not terribly far from you.

[thomasmnile]

Wow, that is bizarre! In 6 years of owning two RV's a fifth wheel and now a travel trailer, stored outside and under cover, and having nothing more than a roof vent open, we have NEVER had a mold/mildew problem inside either rig, and we live in Florida. Ventilation when not in use is important. Did the roof vent you had open during the heavy rains have a cover over it such as the Camco or MaxxAir?

[louiskathy]

Damp Rid makes a spray on mold blocker/stain remover...that's not harsh so you can spray on fabric, wood and is gentle on skin but I'd still wear gloves for a big project like you have. I get it at Lowe's here in the NW. The RED is the Mold Blocker PLUS Stain Remover.

http://www.damprid.com/products/mildew-stain-remover
clicky

[DRSMPS]

I live farther north, but we have had a very wet summer as well. I keep a temperature / humidity gage in the TT. This year I notice the humidity has been higher than in past years. I'm lucky to have electricity where I store my TT. I've actually purchased a small dehumidifier with an adjustable humidistat on it. I set it for 40% RH. I've been having to dump the 20 quart bucket approx. 1X per week.

As for venting, I agree that airflow helps. My concern is that the outside air is also moist and is likely what is carrying the mold spores into your TT. I open all my windows 1 day a week when I check on the unit and then close everything back up and run the dehumidifier the balance of the week.

This year has been so wet that I actually have moss growing on the north exterior portions of my house which I've never had in the past. I've been cleaning that with 1 part bleach to 5 parts water and a little TSP mixed into it. The solution works well and isn't terribly overpowering to my nose / skin.

Best of luck with the cleaning.

[lj2654]

damprid works great and if you have access to a power source we use small oscillating fans in the bedroom and living room.