If you have a mould problem in your caravan, you won’t sleep comfortably until it’s taken care of. Mould is unsightly and can be bad for your health. We look at ways to reduce and prevent mustiness and mould in caravans.
Prevention is better than cure
Mould spores are ever-present and there’s nothing you can do to prevent that. What you can do is store and maintain your caravan in a way that prevents the mould spores setting in.
Mould prefers still, humid air and being undisturbed. The best way to combat it is to ensure adequate ventilation with dry air, remove any sources of moisture and keep all surfaces clean.
On the road
When you’re on the road it’s easy to keep your caravan mould free. Follow these helpful hints:
- Keep your windows and skylights open often, especially after cooking and showering
- If one is fitted, use the extractor fan during showers
- If one is fitted, use the rangehood when cooking
- Regularly air bedding and linen on longer trips
- Keep hard surfaces clean
Long-term storage
After your trip, preventing mould in your caravan is very important. Here’s how to prepare your caravan for storage:
- Unpack everything from inside the caravan
- Strip down and wash linen and any other washable materials
- Air mattresses, pillows, cushions, mats and curtains in the sun or a dry place for a day
- Remove any sources of moisture by opening taps, draining sinks, the toilet, the shower and the washing machine – if you’re lucky enough to have one
- It’s important to do a full clean [How to clean your caravan] of the caravan. In addition to floors and benches, ensure you wipe down all hard surfaces, even if they look clean
- Clean out the fridge and latch the door ajar
- If the weather is dry, air the caravan while the sun is out
- Any leaks from the roof, walls, windows and external fittings must be fixed as soon as possible
- Once the caravan is clean and dry, close all windows and vents
- Use desiccant to initially absorb any residual moisture from the trip and cleaning. Check this after a day or two as it may be saturated after its first use. Desiccant such as this one has a disc that changes pink to alert you that it needs drying. You can continuously reuse it by baking it in the oven to dry it out
- Leave the desiccant in the caravan and check it periodically. If you notice it continuously absorbing moisture, then your caravan may have a leak
- As you’ll need to rotate the tyres periodically, also check the interior for any problems
- Run the heater for five or ten minutes to dry the air out
In a confined space like your caravan, with many sources of humidity (including people), mould can grow if you’re not careful. However, if you’re proactive by maintaining airflow and cleanliness, your next trip will be mould-free.
Have you got a caravan mould fighting tip to share? Let us know on the Without A Hitch Facebook Page.
