How to avoid and treat disgusting mould in your caravan

If you’ve been victim to the wrath of La Niña, you’re probably sick and tired of constantly playing damage control. For some of us, our caravans have copped a serious amount of water and we all know what that can lead to. Yes, the dreaded, disgusting mould.

As they say, prevention is easier than a cure, so check out our top tips for avoiding mould and treating it in your caravan.

What’s the go with caravan mould?

If you’ve never experienced mould in your caravan before you may not know the dangers it can pose. Mould produces little particles known as spores that can be breathed in by humans. That results in a range of breathing problems worsening, especially if you already suffer from asthma. For those without pre-existing respiratory issues, you can still develop nasal congestion, sneezing, coughing, wheezing and respiratory infections. All of these can be triggered by mould in your caravan.

How does it grow?

Mould loves damp, humid and poorly ventilated spaces. You’ve most likely seen it start to form in your shower or around places where you’d find sinks and pipes. Leaks are a common cause. As well as extreme weather conditions where flooding occurs, water can also seep in via the roof or any gaps in windows. Therefore if water has found its way into your caravan, there’s a risk of mould occurring.

What can I do about it?

Prevent it

Thankfully, you can take steps to minimise the chance that your caravan will become a breeding ground for mould. First, you want to look at improving airflow and ventilation. This ensures that fresh air can always enter and moisture can escape. It also avoids a stagnant, musty smell forming in the caravan, so it’s a win, win.

Secondly, when storing your RV (as unfortunately, the majority of us can’t use it all year-round), make sure it’s either indoors or outdoors accompanied by a cover to protect it from the elements. Under a carport is a great option too.

As you’d know by now, moisture is the enemy. Running a dehumidifier inside your caravan can work to effectively dry everything out after use. It’s good practice to run your dehumidifier inside your van for a day or so after completing your trip. Then turn it on as a maintenance dose again every few weeks to keep the musty smells at bay and the mould away.

Treat it

There’s been a huge downpour and some of it has made its way inside your beloved caravan. It’s annoying, but it doesn’t have to be a sure mould thing. To treat the moisture you will need to ventilate, as already stated above in prevention. Make sure to allow airflow into your cupboards and drawers by opening them all up, and prop up your pillows and mattresses. You can also run a cold fan and a dehumidifier to dry the wet areas. Just don’t use heat as mould loves humidity.

If you’ve tried your best but mould has still formed in your caravan, you’ll need to treat it. Make sure the person treating it doesn’t have any pre-existing respiratory issues such as asthma that could worsen by exposure to mould. You’ll want to create a barrier between yourself and the mould and protect yourself with gloves, a disposable face mask and long sleeve clothing.

What can I use?

You can use a mix of soapy water and detergent or white vinegar and water to clean your hard surfaces, including glassware, plastics and tiles. You can also attempt to clean your carpet and ceiling this way but in cases of extreme damage, they may need to be replaced by a professional. Make sure to scrub thoroughly with a microfibre cloth to remove as much mould as possible. Afterwards, you can spray products that contains clove oil or make and dilute a mixture yourself with clove essential oil to spray on the areas that were affected. Clove oil is considered one of the best natural remedies for mould prevention, so it’s a good idea to spray it around and hope it stops it from returning.

Mould or musty smells left from moisture can have a devastating effect on the value of your caravan. It can also affect whether or not your caravan can be rented and lent out or whether or not you’ll be able to sell it when it’s time to part ways and upgrade. Take care of your caravan by keeping it dry and taking steps to avoid and prevent mould.