We have an ongoing problem at our apartment that we rent with mould infestations on the vertical blinds and we are looking for either a great way to clean them with little effort or a cheap but reliable and trustworthy cleaning service covering the Hornsby NSW Area.
Does anyone have any advice or referrals?
Definitely ongoing, we have been trying the moisture absorbers and they last about a week. What did you have in mind?
mate, hard to say without knowing how and where you live. 1 week from a hippo is extreme.
i can only suggest obvious things like airing the place out, and ensuring exhaust fan is on for showers and dryers…. basically anything that has moisture must be targeted - wet towels lying around could be place on balcony, even water left in (after) shower could be squeegeed away. Boiling water for cooking or kettle also puts moisture into the air. If you get excess condensation on windows in the morning, try wiping down with a towel to get rid of the excess.
Remember though that you may take action on some of these, but unless the mould is well and truly destroyed on the verticals it will just re-grow in spite of your attempts to dry out.
Good luck.
Clove oil is the answer. Google it.
How to remove: put ΒΌ teaspoon of oil of cloves into a 1 litre spray bottle filled with water. Spray the blinds lightly with the water. Leave for 24 hours and use a stiff brush to brush the mold off. If you leave the mold there too long it might end up staining the blinds.
If its an ongoing problem open your windows and ensure there is adequate ventilation. If you can't open them for security reasons, then I suggest using a dehumidifier (either the Hippo Moisture Absorber stuff or a electric dehumidifier)
Yes, clove oil - for the spores that mold grows from. After the floods here in Bris clove oil was sold out at the pharmacies. I live in in the lower half of a house that is prone to damp and since using it I have had no significant mold. Other measures, minimising moisture, is essential too - as stated.
For direct application I have used bleach diluted - wear gloves - and in the van (on soft wood panelling) I have used an anti mold spray to good effect - it didn't come back, but still I leave it open for circulation.
For a while I had to keep the fans on in the house and windows and doors open, for circulation.
I tried the clove oil thing, didn't work well for me. Bleach and water, 1 to 4 ratio, but be careful because you may spread the mould spores if you clean vigorously. Spray on and leave is the best but probably not great for the blinds.
I have a particularly bad mycelium problem(mold, fungus) ;-(
IMHO and experience, bleach only does EXACTLY that - bleaches. Ergo, cosmetically, you don't see the mold anymore but it's just been camoflaged ie. it's still there, spewing all its poisonous spores.
Clove oil hasn't worked, neither has vinegar (I try not to use any toxic chemicals). The only way I've kept some mold from invading/growing is the noisy de-humidifier. I'm considering getting one of those pressured-steam cleaners you see on infomercials to try (I know, I know, which increases more moisture into the air).
If the blinds are the wooden sort, there is not much you can do other than throw them out because the main 'body' of the fungus (probably Aspergillus) will be within the wood.
Plastic or metal blinds could be cleaned with bleach, but an antifungal chemical would be better and durable (benlate is probably banned by now -but I am sure there is an equivalent).
Unfortunately it's fabric blinds (the kind that was prevalent in the 90's)
That is going to be a real challenge, given the risks of discolouring the fabric with any effective treatment. I'm thinking new blinds, but I know blinds are expensive.
Go into Bunnings and ask at their paint counter about anti-mould paint additives. You may be able to dilute these (without any paint) and spray them on.
Would the landlord be responsible for fixing these issues or am I correct in assuming that it's our responsibility as tenants?
BTW, tell your landlord beforehand what you are going to do and there might be unforeseen effects. Get her/is approval in writing. I always email my landlord so I have a record of communications, and he knows it. You just never know when relationships are going to go bad, and what a persons true nature is until it is put to the test.
I just use a 'spray & wipe' type product and sponges and bucket of warm water and gets rid of 80 % without killing yourself with vapours etc. Condensation on the windows during the winter is unavoidable if you want to be warm indoors. I took them down and soaked them in a weak bleach solution once and that worked 100%, but was a huge hassle.
Well would a concentrate of clove oil, vinegar, lemon juice, salt, clorox, Dettol mould and mildew remover, tea tree oil, dishwashing liquid, spray and wipe and water be the best solution?
clove oil, vinegar, lemon juice, salt, clorox, Dettol mould and mildew remover, tea tree oil, dishwashing liquid, spray and wipe and water
Just add some vodka and tonic and you'll have yourself a very nice cocktail.
What about a flamethrower?
Hahaha, good thinking! The Blunderbuss approach!
Which street in Hornsby? (Have bad some very bad experiences living there)
Try washing them down with sugar soap?
Whatever you do, don't use the chemical called tricleanium. A repairer used it to clean the bathroom of mould and I couldn't live there for days.
Waitara actually, near the train station
…ongoing problem… Have you considered treating the cause instead of the symptom?