MOST of us don’t think about storing our clothes anywhere other than the wardrobe, but it might actually be the worst place to keep them.
This is because wardrobes can become a hot spot for mould, especially in the winter months.
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You might have noticed condensation starting to appear on your windows, which can lead to damp.
The excess moisture in the air can get trapped in wardrobe spaces, causing mould to form on the walls and eventually spread onto clothes.
Nic Shacklock, from Online-Bedrooms.co.uk, said: “Having a mould outbreak can be devastating to deal with, especially if all of the clothes are ruined beyond repair.”
But Nic told The Sun that there are ways to avoid this from happening and looking for alternative ways to store your clothes is a good place to start.
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He said: “If you haven’t got the space for a larger wardrobe, there are other easy solutions where you can hang clothes up where they’re unlucky to catch any mould spores.”
Wall-mounted rails
“One solution is to install wall-mounted rails in storage cupboards which have plenty of space,” Nick said.
“Make sure to hang a sparse amount of clothes as an overload of items could welcome a humid environment, which can spiral into mould growth.”
You can pick up a rail from B&Q for £15.19 or £16.99 at The Range.
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You’ll also need a few DIY essentials to install the rail like a hammer, screws and some railing brackets.
If you don’t have these at home already, you can buy a basic toolkit from Halfords for £35 or £18 from Argos.
Freestanding racks
You can always use freestanding clothing racks to make use of extra storage.
Nic says it’s best to these for light materials like T-shirts, and to not overload them to make them more breathable for the fabric.
If you try to squeeze too many items on, you run the risk of mould building up.
Nic said: “Make sure all the clothes are completely dry too before hanging them up to prevent mould from forming.
“It’s also wise to place a dehumidifier next to the rack to ensure the clothes aren’t damp.”
Damp clothes can create excess moisture in the air.
Make sure to check all sleeves and collars of clothes to ensure there are no wet patches.
The Sun recently put dehumidifiers to the test, including a £1.49 gadget from B&M that we found to be pretty effective.
Freestanding racks can be very in price, depending on how much you need them to hold.
Dunelm sells a metal clothes rail with shelving for £60, if you need a little more space.
Or you can pick up a basic rail from Ikea for £19.
Under-bed storage
“Consider making the most of under-bed storage too”, Nic said.
“Once winter comes to an end, it’s worth placing coats and thick jumpers under the bed so they’re not taking up valuable space in the wardrobe.
“Keep them in airtight containers to prevent mould from forming.”
You can pick up a pack of five vacuum compression storage bags from Amazon for £10.
There are also larger bags on offer for storing larger items like bedding and towels.
A jumbo bag like this will set you back £26 at Lakeland or £22 for a pack of ten at Argos.
What if the only option is my wardrobe?
If you’re limited to space and putting clothes in your wardrobe is your only available storage then don’t worry – because there are things you can do to prevent mould from forming.
Fit vents into the wardrobe
Having vents built into the wardrobe can help distribute the airflow and reduce humidity.
Nic said: “Building vents will help improve air circulation and remove any excess moisture which can help fit wardrobes directly on the back wall.”
Amazon sells cupboard air vents for £3.50 that are designed to go into the base, but you will need to do some DIY to install them.
You’ll need to mark where you want your vent to go, cut out a hole and secure the vent cover.
Tidy up the space
Having too many clothes in an enclosed space can limit air circulation and trap moisture.
Nic says that trying to space out your clothes where possible and putting the rest away in drawers can prevent moisture from building up.
Regulate room temperature
“To prevent a mould outbreak, keep the bedroom temperature between 17 to 19ºC,” Nic told The Sun.
“Mould can easily grow in colder rooms that suffer from high humidity. This can then easily spread throughout the home.”
Some experts say you can get away with keeping it several degrees lower than this to ward off damp, particularly when you’re out of the house or overnight.
You could even try to keep the temperature of your property around at least 14 to 15 degrees in a bid to avoid damp, one expert told The Sun.
Rooms with high humidity levels are also likely to experience mould growth due to the excess moisture in the air.
Nic said: “Aim to keep humidity levels between 40 to 60% range to lower the chances of an outbreak.”
Spray white vinegar
White vinegar is a good and non-toxic method of removing mould.
“A mixture of white vinegar and distilled white water can help to get rid of mould which has already started to form,” Nic said.
“Take all of the clothes in the wardrobe, dab some of the solution onto a cloth and then lightly wipe the area in a circular motion for the best results.”
Use a bowl of baking soda
Baking soda is also meant to suck in the damp by absorbing the excessive moisture surrounding it.
Nic suggests placing a bowl of it into your wardrobe to prevent a mould outbreak.
Nic said: “For best results, remove the clothes and leave the baking soda for around three to four hours.”
Uncooked rice
It might sound a little odd, but Nic said a bag of rice can also help reduce humidity in wardrobes.
But he added that this would be most effective for wardrobes where significant amounts of moisture have been found.
Check for leaks
“If the wardrobe is positioned against a wall with the bathroom behind it, there is a chance that a water leak from the shower is the cause of the dampness.
“In this case, consider calling a professional to help with the problem.”
A plumber’s average day rate is around £348, according to Checkatrade.
But if you have a major problem, then it’s always worth asking for a professional opinion rather than trying to fix it yourself.
Meanwhile, we spoke to a property pro to find out how to prevent mould in your home this winter.
Plus, we tried four tricks to get rid of condensation and mould and we were surprised by the results.
You can also join our new Sun Money Facebook group to share stories and tips and engage with the consumer team and other group members.
