Thanks a lot, mould: how to beat the fungus in Hong Kong’s humid spring
Dehumidifiers, cedar balls and air purifiers: a self-help guide for keeping your wardrobe mould free
Are you at peace with the mould in your life? That would be the first line in my mould self-help book. Working title, Thanks a Lot, Mould.
Living in humid Hong Kong, we all have to come to terms with mould in our lives. It’s particularly conspicuous when I switch out my clothes from one season in preparation for the next. I pull out a leather bag and find it covered in white spots. Thanks a lot, mould. Favourite sandals? Thanks a lot, mould.
Another wake-up call came on a recent trip. I went to unpack outfits for a family holiday and as I unzipped the suitcase, an unpleasant musty smell wafted out. Was it the suitcase or have I been walking around in mouldy clothes all this time? Hard to tell, but thanks a lot, mould.
For items in our wardrobes, spot cleaning can often remedy the issue. A good brush, dry rag or HEPA vacuum can remove surface mould. On hard surfaces such as walls, dedicated mould cleaners or a white vinegar/water solution are recommended. However, depending on how hysterical you become, you might worry that these methods only send mould spores into the air, thereby spreading the contagion. For one or two items, I wouldn’t worry, but get them professionally cleaned anyway. If the mould is widespread, you need an expert to assess and then eliminate the problem.
Mould spores are all around us at home and in our workplaces. In spring, the most humid of Hong Kong’s four seasons, the walls of older buildings tend to retain water spectacularly. The battle against mould can seem insurmountable. But wait, there are many ways to prevent that dreaded scourge from assaulting your clothes and your senses. We all practise some of them but we should be doing all of them, all the time.
First, we need to air out our wardrobes. Mould loves damp, dark places, so light and ventilation are key. Next, we should run dehumidifiers constantly to keep mould at bay. Air purifiers are important for picking up spores. For wardrobes, there are old-fashioned heated rods, as well as newer technology, such as cordless mini dehumidifiers. But if such excessive use of electricity weren’t bad enough, those highly effective plastic sachets and tubs filled with silica gel are also extremely wasteful. They make me feel like an environmental terrorist, so I’m trying blocks of cedar with equal amounts of hope and scepticism.
Along the way, I’ve learned a few tricks for storing clothes. The more crammed full of clothes your wardrobe is, the more likely it is to encourage mould. It also makes it easy to forget individual items. Plastic dry-cleaning bags may seem protective but they breed mould, so always remove them before putting clean clothes away. Speaking of clean, dirty clothes will attract mould. Even if they are clean, mould will accumulate if they are not dry.
When putting clothes and accessories into storage, the same dry cleaner who put your clothes in those dastardly bags probably provides a much better service: vacuum sealing. If you buy DIY packs, get a reputable brand because I’ve had more than one cheap vacuum bag refill with air. Otherwise, try to use fabric bags that can breathe, and separate each item with plain white tissue paper and a desiccant, such as cedar blocks or disposable silica gel sachets. We have our work cut out for us, don’t we? Thanks a lot, mould.
