Mould on Hatch Blinds

[Ian_Edwards]

Hi,
Has anyone got a proven method of removing mould off window blinds? The fabric is about 4 years old, the “outside” has a plastic coating and has generally wiped clean of mould, just a few spots left, the cabin side has a textile texture and hasn’t cleaned up with mild detergent and a hard rub.
http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm165/Eynhallow/Blind-4.jpg
http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm165/Eynhallow/Blind-3.jpg
I don’t really want to try a harsh bleach for fear of delaminating the fabric.
A second question: the blinds are secured with what looks like plastic rivets, pushed into a plastic insert, which is fitted into a hole in the GRP. There doesn’t appear to be any way of unscrewing them, and I’ve tried to gently prise them out with a screwdriver, but they are quite firmly attached.
Anyone know a way of releasing the plastic rivet?
http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm165/Eynhallow/Blind-5.jpg
http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm165/Eynhallow/Blind-2.jpg
http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm165/Eynhallow/Blind-1.jpg
I could obviously drill the rivet out, but that would leave me with the problem of refastening the blinds.

 

[Nostrodamus]

I would be intrested in a solution as well

 

[affinite]

Detox

Detox aka Detol Mould Remover. (I never leave home without it
I do suggest a test on an inconspicous area before full-scale spraying though.

 

[clyst]

Without doubt Astonish mould and mildew remover £1 per bottle from any £1 shop .

 

[Cloven]

Detox aka Detol Mould Remover. (I never leave home without it
I do suggest a test on an inconspicous area before full-scale spraying though.

As affinite says. Best stuff for the job.

I had one affected blind and removed it before treating. I screwed it onto a flat surface and then unrolled the blind and secured that so the blind was flat. Then a spray of the above - leave for a few mins and then wipe off. Turned over & did the other side the same. Good as new.

Difficult to do in situ as any drips onto a coloured fabric surface will very likely bleach out the colour.

Hope this helps

 

[LittleShip]

Diluted bleach solution will remove it, Dont let it stand and make sure that it is completly cleand off afterwards.

As stated before test area will be requiredrequired.

This is what I used on the blinds in the bathrooms at home without any problem.

Tom

 

[jwilson]

Hi,
Has anyone got a proven method of removing mould off window blinds? The fabric is about 4 years old, the “outside” has a plastic coating and has generally wiped clean of mould, just a few spots left, the cabin side has a textile texture and hasn’t cleaned up with mild detergent and a hard rub.
http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm165/Eynhallow/Blind-4.jpg
http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm165/Eynhallow/Blind-3.jpg
I don’t really want to try a harsh bleach for fear of delaminating the fabric.
A second question: the blinds are secured with what looks like plastic rivets, pushed into a plastic insert, which is fitted into a hole in the GRP. There doesn’t appear to be any way of unscrewing them, and I’ve tried to gently prise them out with a screwdriver, but they are quite firmly attached.
Anyone know a way of releasing the plastic rivet?
http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm165/Eynhallow/Blind-5.jpg
http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm165/Eynhallow/Blind-2.jpg
http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm165/Eynhallow/Blind-1.jpg
I could obviously drill the rivet out, but that would leave me with the problem of refastening the blinds.

There is normally a screw under the small plastic cap of the securing fixing. Prise the cap out of the end of the fitting with a tiny sharp blade tip to get at the screw. Mild bleach or proprietary mould/mildew remover - test on a tiny spot first.

 

[pvb]

I would avoid any bleach solution or the cheap "mould remover" products (which are usually bleach-based), as bleach could damage the fabric. Instead, try a 50% solution of Polycell 3-in-1 Mould Killer in water, use a spray bottle to apply a mist of the solution to the blind and just leave it to dry naturally. You should see some improvement in 2-3 days. Re-apply as necessary. The Polycell product doesn't contain bleach and won't damage the fabric.

I reckon the fixing is a screw covered by a plastic cap. Suggest you use a tiny screwdriver (eg watchmaker's screwdriver) to prise out the circular cap. It might be a tight fit! This ought to reveal a screw head. If you can't remove it, I'm sure Oceanair's tech support people can help you.

 

[VicS]

I agree with the above.

Avoid cleaners containing hypochlorite bleach... The trouble may well be that they appear to work well but that the fabric will be affected but not show the effects until much later!

DETTOL Complete Clean Mould & Mildew Remover contains sodium hypochlorite

ASTONISH Mould & Mildew Remover also contains sodium hypochlorite

 

[Ian_Edwards]

Thanks

Thanks for the prompt replies, I’ll try removing the caps to see if there are screws under them, but it looked to me like, they might be ribbed plastic rivets, just pushed into the plastic inserts, so that the insert is expanded to hold the blind in by friction. I’ve also emailed Oceanair for advice on removing the blinds.
I’ll get some Polycell mould killer as suggested by pvb, I think it will be very difficult to remove all the traces of even dilute bleach, so I’ll stick with dilute Polycell mould killer and see what happens.

 

[Nostrodamus]

Has anyone tried a patio cleaner, the sort that gets rid of mould and black spots from teak. I belive it has the same stuff as polycell 3 in 1 but only cheaper?

 

[Ian_Edwards]

More info’

I’ve received a reply from Oceanair, the fastenings I thought were plastic rivets are in fact plastic screw covers, as suggested above, the recommendation is to use a small flat bladed screwdriver to remove the covers. Cleaning the blind with luke warm water and a light detergent applied with a low abrasive sponge or cloth is recommended. But I’m not sure that will kill the mould.
My current plan is to remove the blind and bring it home, so I can try cleaning as recommended by the manufacturer, before I resort to mould killer.

 

[Talbot]

During the summer, I realy like the oceanair blinds.

In the winter they are a pain!

All my other windows have ben fitted with secondary glazing / double sided tape and cling film type plastic film treated with heat to tighten. This eradicates the condensation on these windows, and concentrates it on the very few that have ocean blind covers.

One is right above my bunk

drips in the middle of the night will definitely wake you up!

 

[VicS]

Has anyone tried a patio cleaner, the sort that gets rid of mould and black spots from teak. I belive it has the same stuff as polycell 3 in 1 but only cheaper?

There are many variations on patio cleaner... some the same as brick and masonry cleaner and contain hydrochloric acid!

You may be thinking of decking cleaners.

 

[nigelmercier]

Polycell 3-in-1 Mould Killer ... The Polycell product doesn't contain bleach and won't damage the fabric...

MSDS here, but I'm betting it still releases chlorine.

 

[pvb]

MSDS here, but I'm betting it still releases chlorine.

Is that just your opinion, based on a hunch, or is there any scientific reasoning involved?

 

[Sulley]

I use Milton sterilising tablets to get rid of mould on the boat. Just dilute in water, I use double the dose on the instructions, used it this weekend to clean my canopy and all the inside of my hatches and blinds all now super clean and no mould left. It kills off all the mould fungi and spores

It's for babies bottles etc so not harmful, find it in the baby isle in the supermarket. I normally buy the tablets approx £1.50 for a box.

http://www.chemistdirect.co.uk/milton-sterilising-tablets_1_6888.html

 

[Nostrodamus]

That's what I have been trying to find for ages in France.
I believe it is made here and may be red in colour but I can never find any.

 

[pvb]

I use Milton sterilising tablets to get rid of mould on the boat.

Milton tablets are just like using bleach! And bleach is much cheaper (but may harm your fabric).

 

[VicS]

MSDS here, but I'm betting it still releases chlorine.

I d like to see an explanation of that !