|
Louis Vuitton Tips
Archive
The information on this page
is from our archive of Louis Vuitton-specific information. Louis
Vuitton Tips Ages were created when this site was new, but
is no longer part of our current content. |
Mildew and Odor Elimination
Some articles in the home, such as upholstered
furniture, mattresses, and linens, pose a special
problem in trying to rid them of musty odors
associated with mildew, pets and/or tobacco
odors. One solution is the Damp Rid's Magic
Disk ® Odor Eliminator. Magic Disk easily
slips between sofa/chair cushions, mattresses/box
springs, and between shelved towels/linens.
Magic Disk can last for several months to a
year. It can be used in occupied or unoccupied
areas to prevent or destroy odors. (Might
work for your LV canvas.)
Removing Mildew
Leather Goods
To remove mildew from leather goods, wipe
with a cloth moistened with diluted alcohol.
Dry in a current of air. If mildew remains, wash
with thick suds made from a mild detergent, saddle
soap, or a soap containing a germicide or fungicide.
Then wipe with a damp cloth and dry in an airy
place.
Upholstered Articles, Mattresses
and Rugs
First, remove loose mold from outer coverings
of upholstered articles, mattresses, rugs and
carpets by brushing with a broom or stiff brush.
Do this outdoors if possible to prevent scattering
mildew spores in the house. Next, run a vacuum
cleaner attachment over the surface of the article
to draw out more of the mold. Remember the mold
spores are being drawn into the bag of the vacuum
cleaner. If the vacuum cleaner has a disposable
bag, remove and dispose of it immediately. If
not, empty the bag carefully (preferably outdoors)
to avoid scattering mold spores in the house.
Do everything conveniently possible to dry, sun
and air the article to stop the mold growth.
If mildew remains on upholstered articles or
mattresses, sponge lightly with thick suds of
soap or detergent, and wipe with a clean, damp
cloth. In doing this , get as little water on
the fabric as possible so the filling does not
get wet. Another way to remove mildew on upholstered
furniture is to wipe it with a cloth moistened
with diluted alcohol. Dry the article thoroughly.
Sponge mildewed rugs and carpets with thick suds
or a rug shampoo, then remove the suds by wiping
with a cloth dampened with clear water.
Dry in the sun, if
possible. If molds have grown into the inner part
of the article, send it to a reliable disinfecting
and fumigating service. Such services are listed
under" Exterminating
and Fumigating" or "Pest Control" in the yellow
pages of your telephone book.
Unpainted Wood
Use heat and increase the air circulation
to get mildewed wood as dry as possible. Badly
infected wood may need to be replaced preferably
with wood that has been treated or that is naturally
decay resistant. Thoroughly clean mildewed surfaces,
woodwork, and other wooden parts using mildew
stain removers. Rinse the wood with water, and
allow the wood to dry thoroughly. Then apply
a mildew-resistant paint.
Painted Wood, Concrete and Tile
To remove mildew stains from bathroom tile,
painted wood and naturally hard surfaces, a bleach
solution or mildew stain removers may be used.
Just spray mildew stains and watch them disappear.
Scrub the area with a stiff brush to ensure that
you have killed any mildew growth that may have
embedded itself into the surface. Clothing and
Fabrics Remove mildew spots as soon as you discover
them. Do not give the mold a chance to weaken
or rot the material. Brush off any surface growth
outdoors to prevent scattering the mildew spores
in the house. Sun and air fabrics thoroughly.
If any mildew spots remain, treat washable articles
as described below. Dry clean non-washable articles.
Wash mildew-stained articles at once with soap
or detergent and water. Rinse well and dry in
the sun. If any stains remain use lemon juice
and salt, or bleach (1 part bleach to 5 parts
water). If you use bleach, test colored fabrics
for color-fastness.
Paper and Books
Remove any dry, loose mold from paper with
a clean, soft cloth. If mildewed paper is damp,
dry it first - in an airy place, if possible.
To dry wallpaper, plaster, as well as the paper,
heat the room for several hours (or even days)
to dry. Plaster should be dried slowly to prevent
cracking. If mildewed paper is washable, wipe
it gently with a cloth wrung out of thick soapsuds,
then with clean water. Take care not to wet the
paper more than necessary. Do not scrub it. Finally,
pat with a soft, dry cloth. If stains remain,
bleach with a 1:5 solution of household bleach
water,
then sponge with a cloth wrung out of clear water.
For small stains, a commercial ink eradicator
may be useful. Spread pages of books out fan
wise to air. If the books are very damp, sprinkle
cornstarch or talcum powder between the leaves
to take up the moisture. Leave starch or powder
on for several hours, then brush off.
What Are The Prime Conditions For
Mildew Growth?
Mildew needs three basic ingredients in
order to grow: food, moisture and warmth.
Molds thrive on organic materials like
paper, leather, natural fibers or surfaces
coated with the slightest amount of
organic matter such as food, soil,
etc.
Food
Soil on dirty articles can supply enough
food for mildew to start growing when
moisture and temperatures are right.
Greasy films, such as those that form
on kitchen walls also contain many nutrients
for mildew-causing molds. Clean clothing
is less likely to mildew than soiled
clothing. Because most synthetic fibers
such as acetate, acrylic polyester and
nylon are resistant to mildew, clean
fabrics of these fibers will not support
mold growth. However, soil on these fabrics
may supply food to start mildew.
Warmth
The optimal temperature range for molds
to grow is 770 to 860 F (200 to 30 0
C).
Moisture
Mildew requires moisture. The optimal growth
range for mildew is 70 to 93 percent
relative humidity (RH). RH would have
to be below 62 percent to stop all chances
for mold growth. A lower RH delays spore
germination of molds, reduces the rate
of mold growth, and lowers the number
of cells produced.
Preventing
Mold & Mildew
Clothing and Household Fabrics
Never let clothing or other fabrics lie
around damp or wet. Dry soiled clothes
before putting them into the hamper.
Spread out washcloths and damp towels.
Stretch out wet shower curtains. It is
the wet curtain left bunched together,
sticking to the wall or tub, that is
most likely to mildew. Dry washed garments
and fabrics thoroughly and quickly. Fabrics
dried slowly may get sour and musty-smelling
- a sign of mold growth.
Leather Goods
Shoes, belts, hand bags and luggage are
very susceptible to mildew damage. As
with fabrics, keep these items as clean
as possible to prevent mildew growth.
Some commercially available waxes or
silicone resins have anti-mildew properties.
However, some shoe dressings contain
antifungal ingredients that might discolor
white or light-colored leather. PRECAUTION
Mildew-resistant paints should not be
used on window sills, playpens, beds
or toys because these paints can be harmful
if ingested by small children.
Paper and Books
In damp, summer weather keep paper and books
as dry as possible to help control mold
growth. If you have a bookcase with a
light in it, keep the bulb lit continuously
to keep the air dry.
Wood
Unpainted: In damp, warm, poorly ventilated
areas, surface mold often develops on
wooden parts of buildings. Since new,
unseasoned lumber is particularly susceptible
to mildew, avoid using it whenever possible.
Painted: Indoor wood surfaces covered
with enamel or oil-resin paint rarely
mildew, unless conditions are favorable
for mold growth. Softer paints on outdoor
surfaces mildew more rapidly. Molds feed
on the oil and minerals in the paint,
and cause dirty-looking discoloration.
They may penetrate the paint film deeply,
even to the underlying wood. Mildew-resistant
paints for outdoor wood surfaces are
available in many colors at paint and
hardware stores. Manufacturers have formulated
their products with fungicides to help
combat mildew damage.
Drying the Air
Air Conditioning
Air conditioning removes humidity from the
air by cooling it. Because it removes
moisture from the air, an air conditioner
is one of your greatest weapons in the
battle against mildew and dampness. Unfortunately,
this cool, dry air is not always effective
in reaching many areas of the home.
Electric Light
Air in the closet and other small areas
can be dried by keeping an electric light
on continuously (60 to 100 watt bulb).
The heat prevents mildew in small spaces.
PRECAUTION Be sure to place the light
bulb far enough from clothing and other
flammables to avoid the danger of fire.
Air Dehumidifier
Both electric and non-electric dehumidifiers
are effective in drying the air. Electric
dehumidifiers are effective at pulling
moisture out of large, open, occupied
areas. However, they may not be as easy
to use, or as cost effective, in smaller
or unoccupied areas such as bathrooms,
closets, laundry rooms, stored RVs, or
vacation homes. Electric dehumidifiers
also put off heat that at some times
of the year may be welcome but other
times not. In these cases a non-electric
dehumidifier such as Damp Rid, a crystal
that absorbs more that twice its own
weight in air moisture, may be the answer. |
|
 
|
|
|
|
