mildew smell

[trea]

We just purchased an 1971 airstream that had been in rainy Washington for the last 5 years. The mildew smell is pretty bad, I have washed down all the surfaces with bleach\water but it still smells of mildew. Does anyone have any ideas?


Nicole

[RichardT]

Leave the windows and door open in dry weather with a fan in it for a few days, also consider a dehumidifier.
It may be the carpet and drapes as well as the cushions that smell.
Make sure to wash all the walls inside the cabinets too.
Dont give up!

RichardT

[LI Pets]

I found the bleach didn't work 100%

I used Krud Kutter, there is a glue that needs to come off the walls that holds a lot of grime, you also need to get behind the fridg.

Of course the rugs must go.

[C Johnson]

I agree with Richard, I had to wash all the curtains, couch covers, and anything else that was fabric. Wash them with a little bleach. I had the couch covers dry cleaned. If it has carpet you may end up replacing it. Carpet holds smells very well. You may also end up replacing the foam inside the cushions too. I left mine out in the sun for a few days to air out. That took care of the smell in the cushions. My Caravel had a funk to it when I bought it. It is gone now but I replaced the floor and insulation. That is an absolute last resort !

[Silver Threads]

Have you considered an Ozone machine? They work great! We have been using one for 8 yrs now. Before we bought our Airstream it had mold in it also. The man that had it scrubbed it down with bleach and called us. We put a machine in there overnight and the mold or the smell has never returned. Checkout the website!

[Foiled Again]

Originally Posted by newbie2006

Have you considered an Ozone machine? They work great! We have been using one for 8 yrs now. Before we bought our Airstream it had mold in it also. The man that had it scrubbed it down with bleach and called us. We put a machine in there overnight and the mold or the smell has never returned. Checkout the website!

Of course you have to clean thoroughly too, but ozone actually can kill those small hiding colonies of mold. Not too expensive, and you can often find them used.

Paula

[eikel1we]

Welcome to Airstreaming Nicole!
Yes, you have a bit of a challange but don't get discouraged. I don't know about ozone machined except that fire depts. use them ... something to think about? - call the fire dept and ask them how they work. I can relate to your aromatic dilemma having had the same problem with our cottage, now home, some years ago. We removed everything that couldn't be painted/ sealed or cleaned and put the rest to the curb. That meant upholstered pieces,mattresses & carpet - none of which, in this case, was any good. We have a lot of trees which means dampness. Sunshine eliminates
dampness. Also, try your county home extension office for ideas.

Good Luck Nicole & let us know how thing are going with this,

suz