My husband and I just moved into a small beach apartment, and we've been battling mold issues since day one. The place has a musky smell and feels stuffy after work. We've tried using window fans and a dehumidifier, which helps a bit, but I recently found mold on my bedroom dresser and on the floor by my desk in the living room. We keep the windows closed during the week because of work, relying on the dehumidifier, but our single-pane windows get condensation on them. With our lease ending in two months, I'm eager to learn how to avoid this mold problem in our next place. What should we be checking with future landlords, and is our furniture ruined if it's gotten moldy? Any tips would be appreciated!
2 Answers
Mold on furniture can be tricky. If it’s on fabric, it might have seeped through, so sometimes it’s best to check the other side too. Placing items in sunlight can help kill some mold as well, but be careful if they can’t handle direct sun. It’s good that you checked under sinks for leaks; that’s often a hidden culprit. And yes, your location by the beach can lead to higher moisture levels. Look for apartments with good ventilation and inquire about their humidity control systems before signing a lease!
It sounds like your ventilation situation is a big part of the problem. Those window fans are great for airflow when you're home, but keeping your apartment sealed up during the week limits fresh air. Make sure your dehumidifier is set to around 40% humidity, and check if it’s positioned in the right spot near the mold areas. An ozonator can help kill mold too, but remember to keep pets and plants away when you use it! Also, consider getting a humidity and temperature meter to keep an eye on levels in your space. Good luck!
Thanks for the tips! We’ll definitely start monitoring the humidity better.