Going on holiday - how to prevent mold in the apartment?

[aargon]

I went away for two weeks last month, locked up the apartment and closed the curtains - biggest mistake of my life. Came home with a new coat of mold on all our furniture.

Heading away again - this time for one month in Dec! so scared shitless on what I will be coming home to - especially given its the stupidly wet and humid season here.


Aside from leaving all the windows open, and opening the curtains to let in as much sunlight as I can, I`m also toying with the idea of buying a fan with an auto timer (can you actually buy one that turns on daily at a set time?) so I can ventilate the rooms as much as possible.

Anyone have any other useful ideas????

[JR8]

Timer switches like this...

http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalo ... CGUQ8wIwAA

p.s. We had mold too. Real problem. Once you have it you can never seem to get rid of it, just sort of hold it in abeyance via light and ventilation as you suggest.

[the lynx]

Or get plenty of those dehumidifiers. Either electrical ones or Thirsty Hippos.

[aargon]

Timer switches like this...

http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalo ... CGUQ8wIwAA

p.s. We had mold too. Real problem. Once you have it you can never seem to get rid of it, just sort of hold it in abeyance via light and ventilation as you suggest.

Thats a great idea. Just not sure if its safe using these things while we are away for such a long period of time. Call me cynical but I am worried of buying a faulty switch/fan and burning the apartment down...

[aargon]

Or get plenty of those dehumidifiers. Either electrical ones or Thirsty Hippos.

dehumidifiers you need to empty out the water regularly - we`re away for 3 weeks so its not going to be much help.

Thirsty Hippos are a good idea - but again not sure about longevity.

[x9200]

Timer switches like this...

http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalo ... CGUQ8wIwAA

p.s. We had mold too. Real problem. Once you have it you can never seem to get rid of it, just sort of hold it in abeyance via light and ventilation as you suggest.

Thats a great idea. Just not sure if its safe using these things while we are away for such a long period of time. Call me cynical but I am worried of buying a faulty switch/fan and burning the apartment down...

It is safe. I am using them all year 'round. Go to any DIY store and they have at least 2-3 different types: electronic ones ~$20-40 and mechanical (as in the above link) ~$15. Ikea also sells (or used to) the mechanical ones.

[taxico]

if your air-cons are programmable, running it on "dry" will help keep the growth in check.

[the lynx]

Or get plenty of those dehumidifiers. Either electrical ones or Thirsty Hippos.

dehumidifiers you need to empty out the water regularly - we`re away for 3 weeks so its not going to be much help.

Thirsty Hippos are a good idea - but again not sure about longevity.

Not sure how bad is your humidity issue.

Just use one unit in every wardrobe, cabinet or near furniture. The trick is to peel half of the foil (instead of the whole thing) before placing the plastic cover on top, so that it won't end up absorbing too quickly.

[ev-disinfection]

Hi Guys,
There are De Humidifiers that comes with a PVC pipe attachment in the back of the machine, which drains the water into the floor trap.
(Novita.com.sg is a local brand that i always recommend)

Take note that the De-Humidifier / thirsty Hippos / Sun will not eliminate the mold spores but will stop or slow down it's growth.

Hope this helps....Be Well
Terence

[Brah]

I had big problems with mold in my last apartment.

Since then I run a dehumidifier every night in my bedroom a few hours before sleep. Before a trip I run it more often and longer. Also use hippos, but all of these ways are better as a practice not just in the case of when away.

When away I do as taxico said, program the air cons in each room for 2 hours a day, separate times each. Works pretty well. In some rooms I open the closet doors.

Leather stuff you may want to put in a place where there is sunlight but not too direct, such as a place where it's sunny only a short time, or near a window with translucent curtains.

Then there are those dry boxes for electrical and photo kit you can buy.

[nakatago]

Then there are those dry boxes for electrical and photo kit you can buy.

They're called dry boxes.

[x9200]

...or dry cabinets for more practical sizes.

[nakatago]

D'oh. It's right there on Brah's post.

I've been sober too long. I need a drink.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Save it for this coming Friday night!

[canadamba]

Need a house sitter?