Mildew How yo avoid/treat

[Sailfree]

Found my dehumidifier hose was leaking into the tank and cut out when tank full.

Discovered mildew has appeared on walls of cabins. Fortunately I think I have managed to wipe mildew off. Not so sure about mildew stains on Yellow Musto Jacket!

Think I have fixed dehumidifier by tripping tank present switch without tank being installed and whole unit will leak/drain into galley sink.

Wiped down walls but can I treat them with a anti-mildew liquid?

Will wash Musto with gortex washing liquid.

Would you also add a greenhouse heater? Boat is Jeanneau 43 so quite a internal volumn in 4 cabins.

 

[William_H]

I would wipe down mildewed surfaces with household bleach. Just make sure the bleach does not damage surfaces. good luck olewill

 

[VicS]

I find this very good around the house

http://www.kleeneze.com/products/h/houseproud-anti-mould-amp;-mildew-spray/

Bleach free so does not damage things bleach might. Also lasts and prevents surfaces being re-affected. Bleach does not linger. Once its exposed to light and air it decomposes and its gone

I am sure the same or similar is avaialble in hardware shops but I find it convenient to buy from Keeneze as we have a friendly agent who calls regularly and their prices seem OK

 

[Tricia]

Vinegar is also good at preventing mildew from forming. You need to use the 'white' spirit vinegar and just add it to your cleaning/rinse water.

I've just recently tried this for the first time and it works really well and doesn't damage the surfaces it is used on. The boat doesn't smell like a chippy either

 

[VicS]

Vinegar is also good at preventing mildew from forming. You need to use the 'white' spirit vinegar and just add it to your cleaning/rinse water.

I've just recently tried this for the first time and it works really well and doesn't damage the surfaces it is used on. The boat doesn't smell like a chippy either

It leaves no residue to prevent mould reforming in the longer term though.

 

[Steve Clayton]

Use Dettol mould/mildew remover. Spray on, leave 10 mins and just wipe over. OK for items such as lifejackets but it will discolour clothing. linen. etc

 

[pvb]

Use Dettol mould/mildew remover. Spray on, leave 10 mins and just wipe over. OK for items such as lifejackets but it will discolour clothing. linen. etc

The Dettol product is diluted bleach.

 

[mike h]

Your dehumidifier will catch nothing whilst the air is cold. In my dad's caravan we put the dehu on a timer to come on in sunlight hours, a heater would obviously help.

 

[reeac]

Is the boat in the water all year round? My Sadler spends 6 months in and 6 months out, has a Winter cover on when out and plenty of ventilation. Never seen any mould. We do, however, get it in our bathroom at home.

 

[[70521]]

The boat doesn't smell like a chippy either

But the jacket does!

Soaked my Musto Jacket in a "White" vinegar mix then washed it in my usual Gortex cleaner and reprofer and it has now smells of that "Hint of Chippy".

 

[Sailfree]

Added info

Boat is in the water all year except say 3-4 wks out for winter maintenance.

 

[KevinT1]

Your dehumidifier will catch nothing whilst the air is cold. In my dad's caravan we put the dehu on a timer to come on in sunlight hours, a heater would obviously help.

If it's a Condenser type dehumidifier then you are correct, but a Desiccant type dehumidifier such as the Ecoair DD122FW SIMPLE is designed to operate at lower temperatures and actually heats up the air as it works

 

[gjgm]

If it's a Condenser type dehumidifier then you are correct, but a Desiccant type dehumidifier such as the Ecoair DD122FW SIMPLE is designed to operate at lower temperatures and actually heats up the air as it works

Ecoair told me to choose the Simple for a boat as the restart is better able to handle @unplugging@ via the shorepower lead than the Classic.

 

[pvb]

If it's a Condenser type dehumidifier then you are correct, but a Desiccant type dehumidifier such as the Ecoair DD122FW SIMPLE is designed to operate at lower temperatures and actually heats up the air as it works

Don't all dehumidifiers throw out heat?

 

[Wansworth]

For the last three years since I have owned the boat I have left the forehatch slightly open, protected by a box over it that allowed air to circulate and in the washboards I have a metal grill that allowed air intonthe boat, so far no sign of mould throughtbout the winter.

 

[l'escargot]

Try ordinary Dettol disinfectant. Kills the mould and the smell isn't too bad to live with.

 

[KevinT1]

Don't all dehumidifiers throw out heat?

I believe the Condensing type use a refrigerant process to cool the air and thus taking it below it's dew point, thus the condensing name.

 

[Scotty_Tradewind]

If it's a Condenser type dehumidifier then you are correct, but a Desiccant type dehumidifier such as the Ecoair DD122FW SIMPLE is designed to operate at lower temperatures and actually heats up the air as it works

yes but a little heat whilst getting the damp out for a week would probably be adequate in a medium sized boat even with a very inefficient Condenser type for many of the days.

I now leave all furnishings and plenty of othrer gear in my boat for the winter, at a cost in electricity of around £60 - £80 which includes my heater when

working on the boat, all my power tools etc... so really good value I reckon.

The dehumidifier had similar problem in my big fat tub last week.... thankfully though no mould. I seal my boat... even to the point of poly

bags over any vents or gaps around companionway, empty the loo and put plugs in sinks (except if you'r draining into one), even then you

could minimise the amount of moisture in the air by leading the pipe down the plug hole and wrapping cloth around to stop the

dehumidifier recirculating the water yet again.

Vics Kleeneze looks good.

good luck

S.

 

[pvb]

I believe the Condensing type use a refrigerant process to cool the air and thus taking it below it's dew point, thus the condensing name.

But the heat removed from the air is returned to the air.

 

[Tricia]

It leaves no residue to prevent mould reforming in the longer term though.

It seems to prevent mold reforming here in Malaysia tho. In fact that's why I tried it, everyone I complained about the mold/mildew in my boat to recommended vinegar.

Tricia