KATHMANDU: No matter how much you try to prevent it, some moulds do get into your house, be it in your clothes or rugs or even your books. Getting rid of that green smelly stuff is harder than prevention. Here are few tips to help you make your household things mould-free.

Clothing and fabrics

Try to brush off as much as possible (outdoors so that you do not spread more spores through the house) and if spots still remain, wash them once with detergent and water, then dry in the sun. If the stain remains, moisten with some lemon juice and then spread with salt and leave in the sun to dry before rinsing thoroughly.

Leather

Use a cloth dampened with diluted alcohol (for example 1 cup rubbing alcohol in 1 cup of water) to wipe the surface that is covered with mildew and then dry in an air current. If mildew persists, you will need to wash with a mild detergent or even a fungicide containing soap, before wiping with a damp cloth and then leaving to dry in a well-aired location. Follow with a good polishing of shoe wax. Mildew inside shoes can be treated with special sprays available from shoe stores.

Upholstery, mattresses and rugs

Remove any loose mould by brushing outdoors, then use a vacuum to uplift as much of the remaining mould as possible. Dry the item as much as possible, for example by using an electric heater or leaving it to air in strong sun.

For upholstery and mattresses, a cloth soaked with diluted alcohol solution can be wiped over the stained area before it is dried thoroughly. Unfortunately, if mildew is embedded into cushions and mattresses, you will need to have it professionally cleaned by fumigation.

Carpets and rugs can be cleaned with dry soap or detergent and then wiped with a damp cloth and dried in the sun again, if possible.

Books and papers

First dry out the books and papers completely in a well-ventilated area, fanning out the pages of the books to help with air-circulation. If the pages are very damp, sprinkle some cornstarch

or talcum powder on to absorb the moisture — leave for several hours and then brush off, together with any loose mould (outdoors).

Wood

Unpainted, untreated wood is particularly susceptible to mould and mildew, whereas indoor wood surfaces covered with enamel or oil-resin paint are usually resistant. Treat the mould by scrubbing with a mild alkali such as washing soda or with disinfectants, which are all available commercially.

Rinse well afterwards with water and make sure it is thoroughly dry before applying a mildew-resistant paint. Badly infected wood may have to be replaced.