[texasaxel]

After many months I opened up the closet with my winter clothes this week for obvious weather-related reasons. Even though I had put one of those disposable dehumidifier boxes in there (the contents of which has turned all liquid by now), I noticed that some zippers had corroded into a jade green color and that one of my suede leather jackets had also taken a similar (albeit less noticable) look. I realize that I probably should have replaced that dehumidifier box more regularly as I did with those in the more frequently used closets.

However, is that really the answer to this problem; e.g. is it unlikely to reoccur next year as long as I replace the dehumidifier boxes on a regular basis? Or is there something else at work here that I should know of? Also, do you have any tips about how to partially undo the damage already done to these articles of clothing?

[KnowItAll]

Our closets have small electrical heating strips built into them.. if your closets are built into the walls, check and see if they have any heaters. I had ignored them for ages...

(Sorry.. don't have any constructive advice on the rest of your probs...)

[Max]

How about this, tex:

Gently clean off the moldy parts (whatever you can manage) and give the clothes to a good dry cleaner. They'll take care of the rest.

If the zippers are beyond repair, you can replace them with similar ones at many local tailors.

hope that helps...

[texasaxel]

KIA, The walk-in closets have power outlets and I purchased electric dehumidifier strips for them. However, the inbuilt wall closets have no place to plug those in, which is why I used the little boxes.

Max, I remember my dry cleaner offering to store clothes for 'the season' for a fee. Perhaps it's time I take him up on that offer.

[PDLM]

At the height of the humidity season I find I'm replacing those dehumidifying boxes in my wardrobes (and the similar sachets in my drawers) about every 10 days. That's with running aircon / room dehumidifier at night.

[Expatriate]

Get a real dehumidifier. It's technically a fridge without enclosure. On the cold side the water condenses and drops into the bucket below. In Spring it might collect 10 liter a day.

I got a big one more than 10 years ago, it gets out lots of water from the air, it is still working, and I can put something on top of it, like the phone, unlike those portable ones which can't be used for anything else.

You can also use the aircon, but when it is already cold, you probably don't want it freezing.


It creates distilled water. So, if your budget is tight, you can save on those watson bottles.

[jaetee]

Wow, y'all must be living in some chichi places. Our place has a couple of cheap Ikea wardrobes.

[stanleystanley]

to undo the damage, u need to buy a leather cream (protection or cleaning) from parknshop (like a toothpaste). to prevent it, heater is the best solution! But if it is impossible to connect the electricity then use charcoal (from Japan Home stores, Jusco, Sogo there are many kinds and I enjoy using them). disposable dehumidifiers need to be changed every month. from my personal experience, never wear leather in a rainy day not even a day with a mist! once the leather jacket has exposed in the mist, u will see the green spot again and again every few months no matter how well u cleaned last time.

[texasaxel]

Originally Posted by Expatriate

Get a real dehumidifier. It's technically a fridge without enclosure. On the cold side the water condenses and drops into the bucket below. In Spring it might collect 10 liter a day.

I have got one of those but it doesn't really help protect the clothes in the closets, does it? Unless I keep the closet doors open all the time. I think I'd rather buy loads of disposable dehumidifiers and replace them every few weeks as suggested; they're cheap enough.

[texasaxel]

Originally Posted by stanleystanley

to prevent it, heater is the best solution! But if it is impossible to connect the electricity then use charcoal (from Japan Home stores, Jusco, Sogo there are many kinds and I enjoy using them).

Heater??? What do you mean? I generally find the humidity quite low in cold weather so where does the heater fit in? I found March through August most humid this year judging by the fill-rate of my dehumidifyer tank. I take it you are referring to those electric strips not real heaters.