Moisture and mold: keep these problems away from your home

If you took your coat out of the closet after months of hot weather and found small mold stains (those white ones that don’t come off in the wash), don’t despair: you can get rid of the mold in two steps with vinegar. That’s right! Sueli Rutkowski, specialist in smart solutions for everyday life, gives this and other tips to get rid of the problem, which can attack the whole house. “It appears when there is a lot of humidity in the place. An unpleasant smell also indicates the presence of mold, even if there is no visible stain”, explains Sueli. And, as it is not always possible to put an end to humidity, because it can be characteristic of where you live, also find out how to deal with it and prevent the emergence of new mold spots. It’s war!

All dry rooms

clean bathroom

There’s a room where it’s easy to accumulate moisture, because of the steam from the shower. To get rid of mold stains, rub half a lemon over tiles and grout, then rinse with water. “Lemon is acidic and works well in the bathroom,” says Sueli. The shower curtains are a separate chapter. The tip is to mix 1 liter of water with four tablespoons of salt in a bucket and let them soak until the stains disappear. Then wash them normally.

Mildew free clothes

Vinegar is also your ally when it comes to removing mildew stains from clothes (and not just fighting the problem in closets). Gently pass a brush soaked in white vinegar over the stain and let the product act for 15 minutes. Then just spread hot water over it and let it dry. The stain will be gone! Then wash the piece.

stain free wall

Mix 1 liter of water with 1 liter of candida and a spoonful of powdered or liquid soap. Soak a cloth in the mixture, wipe the wall and then remove using a damp cloth with water. Open the windows to dry well.

A deal in the closets

Did you open the wardrobe door and that smell of storage came? Time to act! After taking all the clothes out of the closet, put white vinegar inside a spray bottle (keep the glass cleaner bottle, for example) and spray it in every corner, even in the drawers. Wipe with a damp cloth and let it dry with the doors open. “Vinegar is acidic, so it inhibits the development of fungus. The tip is to repeat this process at least once a month”, says Sueli. To get rid of the storage smell, take an old pantyhose, put cedar sawdust inside and hang it in the closet. “It neutralizes the musty smell, but unlike mothballs, it has no odor,” she points out. You can find sawdust at health food stores or woodworking shops. Cedar balls, easier to find, also work.

Products that can help

The basic that works!

Disposable anti-molds are cheap, but you need to change them from time to time when they become full of water.

to last sooo long

The investment in these models is a little higher, but you can pay in installments and they are reusable. When they are full, just put them in the microwave and they renew themselves! So easy.

Practical tips to prevent the problem

Sueli Rutkowski presents homemade solutions that you can put into practice in environments where mold appears the most. Turn this page in your life once and for all:

use blackboard chalk

Place a handful of chalk inside an open jar where you want it (the more moisture, the more chalk). When the chalk is wet, just put it in the sun and it’s ready to use again! The same chalk can be used for six months. “It’s very efficient at getting rid of the musty smell and controlling humidity,” says Sueli. Hypoallergenic chalk doesn’t work, okay?

Bet without fear on baking soda

Fill a small pot halfway with the powder and place it in a place where no one will bump into it (otherwise, imagine the dirt!). If necessary, make several equal pots and spread them around the house to control humidity. When the dust forms small balls, it’s time to change.

open the cabinets

Do this once a week for a few hours so the air can circulate inside them. And don’t forget to open the drawers!

attention to decoration

If possible, replace carpeting with tiled floors and heavy drapes with blinds. Thus, the environment becomes less stuffy and humid.

Leave the clothes exposed to the sun

Every six months, take all items (including bedding) out into the sun. Enjoy and clean the closet, getting rid of what you don’t use.

Be careful when storing clothes

Never store a piece that you have just used. Let her get some air first. “We perspire throughout the day, so the garment is never completely dry”, explains Sueli. And never, under any circumstances, store wet clothes. This sucks!

take care of the furniture

Move them 5 cm away from the wall. Thus, if any infiltration occurs, your furniture will be protected against moisture.