Problem with black mould

[johnc]

Sorry, another question from an LM28 newcomer.

I have recently bought an LM 28 (executors sale) and have just finished emptying the entire boat of 20 years of the previous owners sailing bits and bobs which took several estate car loads.  Having emptied the entire boat, I was a bit shocked to find every part of the soft plastic insulation on the hull covered in black mould.  The areas are the forward cabin side lockers, the hanging locker and the toilet. These areas do clean up with mould remover but I also have black marks on the "furry" carpet lining at the back of the bunks in the main cabin and the sides of the forward cabin.

My worry is that whilst the mould remover works on the soft plastic insulation and leaves it clean, I am concerned the soft "furry" material will be bleached by the chemical in the mould spray.   I know the best plan would be to remove the furry carpet material and replace with new material but I damaged my liver many years ago when lining the hull of a boat I was buildiing due to inhalation of toluene solvent based Thixofix.  Ended up yellow from head to foot and in hospital for a month so not keen on renewing insulation.

Any suggestions as how to clean the "furry" carpet like material, would a steam cleaner be any good?     I should add that the boat does feel quite dry and there is no signs of water ingress anywhere.

many thanks

[Sula]

I have had good results in various circumstances with the 'carpet cleaners' you can hire from supermarkets, dry-cleaners and hire shops. These come with a 'upholstery' attachment that you could use. They spray warm special cleaning fluid into the fabric, and vacuum it and the dirt it collects back out, leaving the material much cleaner and just damp (it will dry in the air if you have the hatches open). Whether it removes your particular stains you'd just have to see.

I have little experience of using steam cleaners, and perhaps others would be better placed to advise, but I would be wary that the heat involved could damage either the fabric or the adhesive attaching it to the hull.

[johnc]

Thanks for your reply. I have tried using the steam cleaner with resonable results on the "furry" carpet lining in the main cabin lockers. Also sprayed all the plastic hull lining with mould spray and that cleaned up very well. The "furry" carpet lining in the fwd cabin has cleaned up with a lot of elbow grease and upholstery cleaner but still not great. So looking at hiring a carpet/upholstery cleaning machine. Last resort is to strip the hull lining and renew 😕

[jandane]

And for the winter to come: Buy some solar powered fan. Just a little one. Place one in the front cabin, one in the master cabin and let the hatch in front and in the wheel house be open 3 mm. This is enough to make a little ventilating wind and change the still-standing humid winter air. I have done so for 15 years in my 27’er and have never had problems. Except for one year when we forgot to leave the wardrope door open....both my wife and my Helly Hansen rain jackets were dotted with black mold and needed replacement

[oceandancer]

Hi John,
Is it worth testing an inconspicuous area such as right up under the cove lockers with neat household bleach. I use this quite a lot on a furry nylon lining material fitted to the backs of the bunks and in the forepeak. It gets rid of the mould and lasts a long time. It may be that your lining is also bleach impervious.

On the subject of keeping the interior dry I use 4 crystal filled dehumidifiers from about mid October to end of March recharging the crystals twice. With some ventilation, the toilet portlight and the skylight cracked open slightly this seems to keep my boat quite dry but I believe that with your boat you must start with a good clean and several days of open hatches and doors to thoughroughly dry it out in this summer weather.