Singapore Expats

High humidity turning everything mouldy

Discuss about life in Singapore. Ask about cost of living, housing, travel, etiquette & lifestyle. Share experience & advice with Singaporeans & expat staying in Singapore.
Post Reply
User avatar
abbby
Manager
Manager
Posts: 2375
Joined: Thu, 21 Jul 2005 3:00 am
Answers: 3
Location: Tiny Island

High humidity turning everything mouldy

Post by abbby » Fri, 31 Jul 2020 11:10 am

My clothes, bags, boxes, cabinets keeps forming moulds. It has been raining and every time it rains every gets mould.

Is there a solution to fix this?
The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing. If you can fake that, you've got it made. - Groucho Marx (1890-1977)

BBCDoc
Chatter
Chatter
Posts: 478
Joined: Tue, 05 Oct 2010 11:21 pm
Location: Singapore

Re: High humidity turning everything mouldy

Post by BBCDoc » Fri, 31 Jul 2020 11:27 am

Dehumidify your Place

Check window and door seals

Get professional help to remove the mould


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
There's always room for one more

User avatar
PNGMK
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 9350
Joined: Thu, 21 Mar 2013 9:06 pm
Answers: 11
Location: Sinkapore

Re: High humidity turning everything mouldy

Post by PNGMK » Fri, 31 Jul 2020 3:21 pm

It's actually a bit dependent on where you live in Singapore. I've been in places where it was terrible - low rise homes next to treees and parks and the ocean are the worse.
I not lawyer/teacher/CPA.
You've been arrested? Law Society of Singapore can provide referrals.
You want an International School job? School website or http://www.ISS.edu
Your rugrat needs a School? Avoid for profit schools
You need Tax advice? Ask a CPA
You ran away without doing NS? Shame on you!

User avatar
abbby
Manager
Manager
Posts: 2375
Joined: Thu, 21 Jul 2005 3:00 am
Answers: 3
Location: Tiny Island

Re: High humidity turning everything mouldy

Post by abbby » Fri, 31 Jul 2020 3:24 pm

PNGMK wrote:
Fri, 31 Jul 2020 3:21 pm
It's actually a bit dependent on where you live in Singapore. I've been in places where it was terrible - low rise homes next to treees and parks and the ocean are the worse.
Yes, I think the trees around my place is rather dense and causing the humidity. Oceans too? And houses near oceans, metal furniture (that are not stainless steel) do rust?
The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing. If you can fake that, you've got it made. - Groucho Marx (1890-1977)

bgd
Manager
Manager
Posts: 1684
Joined: Wed, 25 Jul 2007 4:09 pm

Re: High humidity turning everything mouldy

Post by bgd » Fri, 31 Jul 2020 8:04 pm

The movement of air helps, i.e. fans. Not always practical for wardrobes and i'm sure more effective in some places than others.

User avatar
Max Headroom
Reporter
Reporter
Posts: 987
Joined: Wed, 08 May 2013 11:31 am
Answers: 1
Location: Singapore

Re: High humidity turning everything mouldy

Post by Max Headroom » Sat, 01 Aug 2020 12:43 pm

I think fans are one thing, but an actual draft from outside tends to really make the difference. Closed areas have a tendency to load up on humidity, unless the a/c is running of course. We're constantly exhaling water vapour, which adds up if it can't go anywhere.

Also, yes, Singapore's interior (Bukit Timah etc) seems to be a more humid area, especially at night, undoubtedly, due to the jungle. The coast is better, likely because there are fewer trees and also because it's breezier. I live(d) in both areas and can tell the difference in humidity.

User avatar
abbby
Manager
Manager
Posts: 2375
Joined: Thu, 21 Jul 2005 3:00 am
Answers: 3
Location: Tiny Island

Re: High humidity turning everything mouldy

Post by abbby » Sun, 02 Aug 2020 10:51 am

Max Headroom wrote:
Sat, 01 Aug 2020 12:43 pm
I think fans are one thing, but an actual draft from outside tends to really make the difference. Closed areas have a tendency to load up on humidity, unless the a/c is running of course. We're constantly exhaling water vapour, which adds up if it can't go anywhere.

Also, yes, Singapore's interior (Bukit Timah etc) seems to be a more humid area, especially at night, undoubtedly, due to the jungle. The coast is better, likely because there are fewer trees and also because it's breezier. I live(d) in both areas and can tell the difference in humidity.
That's good to hear cos I was considering move closer to the coast (lol)...and was quite worried about the humidity level as well.
The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing. If you can fake that, you've got it made. - Groucho Marx (1890-1977)

theashiera
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 19
Joined: Wed, 17 Jul 2024 9:09 am

Re: High humidity turning everything mouldy

Post by theashiera » Sat, 08 Nov 2025 1:46 pm

It’s likely due to high humidity and poor airflow. Use a dehumidifier or air-con, keep cabinets ventilated, and clean mould promptly. Check for leaks or damp spots—better ventilation and moisture control should solve it.

User avatar
malcontent
Director
Director
Posts: 3186
Joined: Sat, 22 Dec 2007 11:52 am
Answers: 12
Location: Perched on the Pacific Ring of Fire

Re: High humidity turning everything mouldy

Post by malcontent » Sun, 09 Nov 2025 3:36 am

Since this topic is being resurrected, I’ll just add:

Much of the time we lived in Singapore we had two large mini-fridge sized dry boxes. One I got from a departing expat, and the other my wife bought for between $100-200, can’t recall the exact amount.

We kept our important documents in there, along with photo albums, camera equipment, leather goods not used regularly… I even kept rolls of chewable antacids from the US in there, so they wouldn’t go crumbly.
It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows - Epictetus

User avatar
abbby
Manager
Manager
Posts: 2375
Joined: Thu, 21 Jul 2005 3:00 am
Answers: 3
Location: Tiny Island

Re: High humidity turning everything mouldy

Post by abbby » Tue, 11 Nov 2025 3:34 pm

Those dry boxes used to store cameras? That sounds like a good idea for keep important things in.
The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing. If you can fake that, you've got it made. - Groucho Marx (1890-1977)

User avatar
malcontent
Director
Director
Posts: 3186
Joined: Sat, 22 Dec 2007 11:52 am
Answers: 12
Location: Perched on the Pacific Ring of Fire

Re: High humidity turning everything mouldy

Post by malcontent » Wed, 12 Nov 2025 6:48 am

abbby wrote:
Tue, 11 Nov 2025 3:34 pm
Those dry boxes used to store cameras? That sounds like a good idea for keep important things in.
Yes, the same kind except larger and they have to be plugged in (but use very little power). Ours also had a humidity & temp gauge that used an AA battery as well. It stayed below 40% humidity if I recall correctly.

I kept a spare set of office shoes in there for up to 2 years at a time and they remained as fresh as when they were put in there.
It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows - Epictetus

User avatar
abbby
Manager
Manager
Posts: 2375
Joined: Thu, 21 Jul 2005 3:00 am
Answers: 3
Location: Tiny Island

Re: High humidity turning everything mouldy

Post by abbby » Wed, 12 Nov 2025 11:05 am

That's a genius idea. To store important documents, certificates, expensive bags ...I remembered checking the prices on Lazada before, the dry boxes can be quite costly.. but definitely useful.
The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing. If you can fake that, you've got it made. - Groucho Marx (1890-1977)

User avatar
malcontent
Director
Director
Posts: 3186
Joined: Sat, 22 Dec 2007 11:52 am
Answers: 12
Location: Perched on the Pacific Ring of Fire

Re: High humidity turning everything mouldy

Post by malcontent » Wed, 12 Nov 2025 12:08 pm

abbby wrote:
Wed, 12 Nov 2025 11:05 am
That's a genius idea. To store important documents, certificates, expensive bags ...I remembered checking the prices on Lazada before, the dry boxes can be quite costly.. but definitely useful.
Ours is Digi Cabi brand. Both units have performed well over the years and are still working today at my in-laws place… with our stuff still in it!

When we renovated in 2011, we actually built space for the 2 of them in our wardrobe cabinets, including a port for the power connection.
It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows - Epictetus

Post Reply
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Return to “Staying, Living in Singapore”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 3 guests