Washing Again! Cleaning Mouldy Curtains???

[Richard10002]

SWMBO has instructed me to clean the curtains because they are "really ****ing mouldy". I think they are only slightly mouldy, but who am I to argue.

Anyway... having taken them down, and removed hundreds of bloody curtain hooks and sliding ring things, there is a generous speckling of little black spots all over them.

I dont know whether to put them on a very hot wash, or have them dry cleaned, or both? ....

or is there a secret way of getting rid of the mouldy spots?

or is it impossible to get rid of?

Anyone done it before? or do you just let them get so mouldy that they disintegrate?

Any ideas welcomed

Richard

 

[pvb]

Soak them in soapy water with bleach added. Rinse well.

 

[Malcb]

But don't put then in a hot was unless you want the expense of replacing them /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

As has been said cool water with something to kill off the mildew, 'cos that is what the black spots are' and diluted bleach will do that. Then stretch them as they are drying.

Otherwise take then to a reputable dry cleaners and they will advise.

If you just wash them then they will shrink, then you will be in the proverbial /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Richard10002]

Thanks very much, and thank God I asked!

How dilute should the bleach be? Not sure how to soak them on the boat.... shower tray is about 2" deep, but would the bleach damage the pipes and pump? Cockpit... block the drains? fridge... block the drain?

or anyone recommend a reputable dry cleaners in Lagos.... or should I take them home to England, where we could stick them in Janets' bath, or where I know of a good dry cleaners in Hale, (nr. Altrincham).

 

[Malcb]

I know the dry cleaners in Hale. I used to live and work there.
Personally I would take them there, if possible.

My late wife, used to make curtains and soft furnishings, amn she always said dry clean, never wash as the fabrics won't take it, you may get away with it once, but not the second time.

 

[tome]

Get yourself to B&Q and buy some Polycell 3 in 1 mould remover, follow simple instructions

And fit a de-humidifier from Oct to April to avoid the issue in future

 

[tcm]

even with a dehum, curtains can be problematic cos they are right up against then cold windows.

Best is to mask/insulate windows on the inside with carboard, or close the storm covers if you have them.

 

[Richard10002]

The boat has had a dehumidifier for at least the past 3 winters, but I left it with Jeff, (previous owner & father), for his new boat. Just bought another here in Lagos, and it's running as I type.

I suspect the curtains havent been off for some years, but once we've sorted them, they will be off for dry cleaning every year from now.

 

[jerryat]

Napisan works superbly. Put the stuff into hot water, add the curtains and leave to soak for up to TWO days, before light washing and rinsing.

Only know this because after trying the 'bleach in water' idea several times over the years and getting very varying results (including damage!) I tried Napisan this year on the advice of SWMBO. Brilliant result - in every sense!!

 

[Piddy]

It you don't want to spend hours trying to match them up afterwards (as we did) make sure you can identify each curtain and where it goes.
Our M376 has 13 curtains (unlucky for us) and all are similar (but not identical) in size so it took us quite some time to lay them all out and match tapering sizes!

Cheers

 

[Richard10002]

So far I've only taken the lounge , (saloon?), curtains down - 4 each side, all the same depth and no tapering - with a bit of luck, should be easy to identify what goes where. I thought about marking them, but couldnt be bothered <g>

Tried steam cleaning last night, but whilst it cleaned the curtains, it hardly touched the mould.

I'm not sure I trust myself with getting the right concentration of bleach and I dont think I am going to find Napisan or Milton Sterilising Fluid in walking distance of the marina, (Lagos). Pingo dont have any.

I also dont want to trust to a local dry cleaner who may, or may not, know what they are doing.

I'm at the point where take them home, or leave them here, and bring some Napisan or whatever back with me.

But any other contributions welcomed - I've never cleaned a curtain in my life!!

 

[neale]

I have had great success removing black spot mould with Milton fluid. It is a mild bleach so need to test an area first. I have used in neat on various textiles with (so far) no ill affetcs.