Housekeeping question

[gibbylod]

It's been a while since I've posted on here, but I need help from the best and I know they're all on this board

It is extremely humid here and I find myself having to clean my cupboards every week because of the stench and mold. It's a brand new house so I'm assuming it is from the humidity and not any other possible cause (though I could be wrong). Any of you have any advise/tricks on how to prevent this?

Thanks!

[crimsonandclover]

What about those little packets of magic dust that come with shoes and some packages to suck out the humidity? I don't know if they'd help in the cupboards, but they might. And unfortunately, I have no idea what they're actually called. Like this, though: www.diylife.com/2011/01/03/silica-gel-packets-unusual-uses/

As for the stench, how about a little open container of baking soda in the back corner?

[mrsukyankee]

Baking soda works quite well.

[gibbylod]

Jul 19, 2012 11:41:51 GMT -5 crimsonandclover said:

What about those little packets of magic dust that come with shoes and some packages to suck out the humidity? I don't know if they'd help in the cupboards, but they might. And unfortunately, I have no idea what they're actually called. Like this, though: www.diylife.com/2011/01/03/silica-gel-packets-unusual-uses/

I thought of that, but of course now that I need one I can't find any! Do you think they sell them separately? Or, maybe I'll go to a shoe store today and pick through some boxes, hehehe.

I never heard of baking soda for this. I'll give that a try. Thanks!

[gibbylod]

Other question: Do you know if those silica packages ever expire or stop working?

[clickerish]

Have you considered a dehumidifier for the kitchen? They make them small now...if you left the cupbards open at night and turned that on, it might help. Sounds bizarre, but I've done it in a bathroom before.

[loopynoodle]

I use silica gel pellets in museum displays to absorb moisture but I know they need to be heated in a microwave periodically to return to 'full power' they're orange when new and turn green when used.

I don't know that I'd like that near my foodstuffs/plates etc. though.

Is it just one set of cupboards? What foods do you store there? Mould shouldn't grow that fast unless it's coming from a trapped piece of food somewhere. I could be wrong but a good clean out with bleach, leaving to dry for a couple of days etc.

Alternatively a bowl of rice might help? I put a few grains in salt cellars to prevent the salt getting clumpy.

[aMrsin09]

Yes sadly the mold and mildew does grow that fast.

Is your kitchen on an outside wall? Are your walls insulated or wrapped with anything? Ours are not and all of our cupboards and drawers smell like a musty basement. We've taken most of the doors off the cupboards.

I can't wait to re-do the kitchen ...

You can buy silica at craft stores and make your own little packets.

[irish]

You can get mini-dehumidifiers that are non-electrical - I suppose they are like the silica. A top part that holds the particles and then a base that catches the moisture.

here's two links that might explain it better (one is amazon!)

www.buy4now.ie/woodiesdiy/productdetail.aspx?pid=12125&loc=P&catid=101.12.32

www.amazon.com/MDR-MDR306-Damp-Away-Dehumidifier/dp/B0000AXQ5W

[mrspurdy]

I had the same problem in my new apartment. I washed all the cupboards with bleach. Left them to dry completely. I also now keep the split unit AC on at 25 in the kitchen to keep the humidity down. I know that baking powder does work. However like you have not been able to find it here

[crimsonandclover]

Jul 20, 2012 7:55:28 GMT -5 mrspurdy said:

I had the same problem in my new apartment. I washed all the cupboards with bleach. Left them to dry completely. I also now keep the split unit AC on at 25 in the kitchen to keep the humidity down. I know that baking powder does work. However like you have not been able to find it here

Where are you again? I imported little bags of baking soda to Germany for years because everyone told me they didn't have it. I felt like an idiot when I realized they actually did, it's just called "Natrium" (the chemical name for sodium - Na). Again, I don't remember where you are, but maybe if you look for something called "natrium" you'll have more luck?