Mildew prevention -- running a small air hose to the bottm of each locker

[Bene505]

This summer the clothes in my hanging locker smelled of mildew and it was a very dry summer. Additionally we have 4 dorades and leave the hatch upen (under the dodger) whenever we aren't far from the boat. I never put wet clothes in the hanging locker but somehow managed to have smelly shirts.

Toward the end of the summer I started opening up all the lockers when leaving the boat for a few days. Mildew is not a problem in the open cabin areas, just some of the closed-up ones.

I'm seriously thinking about running a small air hose to each locker and joining them all up to a blower. Then I can have the blower cycle on at mid day for 15 minutes to help keep air circulating and get rid of any moisture.

Has anyone done this? Any ideas on how to do it? Any ideas on other options?

Regards,
Brad
P.S. Also looking for a 12v dehumidifier that I can run off a wind generator's dump load. Let me know if you know of a good one.

[rockDAWG]

Before you go through all this trouble. Kill the fungus first. Clorox Clean Up is your friend.

[sailingdog]

Do the lockers have ventilated/louvered doors? If not, that should be your first step. Solid locker doors are great at getting the stuff in the lockers mildewed and moldy.

Solar vent fans are also a great help when the boat is all closed up.

[RichH]

Originally Posted by rockDAWG

Before you go through all this trouble. Kill the fungus first. Clorox Clean Up is your friend.

RockDawg is spot on .....
you HAVE to remove the mildew from underneath and below ALL the 'deadspaces' where the mildew is GROWING .... under floor boards, bilges, behind lockers, etc. because if you dont, the spore generating bodies from these places will continue to propagate. Kill it with clorox, remove it, then use a caustic detergent such as one with sodium silicate ..... just spray on an LEAVE IT as a 'modern' equivalent of 'whitewashing'. Mold & mildew Spores wont grow on a caustic/alkaline surface and thats why our ancestors 'whitewashed' everything in sight.

Caution: wear a respirator when cleaning mildew, be sure to wet it completely before scrubbing, never ever clean 'dry' mildew.

[Dcneuro]

In addition to all of these suggestions, I use lemon oil frequently on all wooden surfaces, lavender oil in hanging saches, and, I frequently spray fabrics with about a 10% solution of te tree oil and water. These are all mildew growth retardant/preventative. I also hang a "rid" moisture absorbent pack somewhere in the cabin. Lastly, I place a fabric softener/dryer sheet inside all of my cushions on board although this is not mildew retardant, it just covers up odors very well.

[puddinlegs]

A dehumidifier is your friend after you get things cleaned up.

[dhays]

Originally Posted by puddinlegs

A dehumidifier is your friend after you get things cleaned up.

+1

It makes a world of difference.

[Bene505]

Any dehumidifier recommendations?

[puddinlegs]

We use this one because it was on hand:

Soleus Air CFM-40 E 40-Pint Dehumidifier with Humidistat

Seems to work. Your boat is bigger though

[BarryL]

Hi Brad,

One comment regarding dehumidifiers - they work great when there is minimal air flow. If you leave hatches and ports open, no dehumidifier is going to work.

You didn't complain that the boat is damp, just that some closed lockers are musty. I would focus on getting better airflow into those spaces. If your doors are not louvered, get add some vents. If they are then some fans that move the air around that area will help a lot. You can also try some 'rid damp' or other dehumidifying type products just in those areas.

Let me know if you need help moving your boat back home in the fall.

Barry