High humidity in Hefei causing mold

[Virginia9742]

Has anyone had a problem with the humidity here?  The weather here is like a jungle   I've got some mold growing in my apartment, and wet things don't seem to dry.  It's partly from the shower steam, and partly because I don't have a dryer yet, so I have to hang-dry clothes.

Thankfully I'm moving to a new apartment soon, and I will get a dryer then, but I would like to reduce the humidity...

[kaibo 开 博]

In fact, the humidity is decreasing very rapidly now as winter approaches. During summer, the monsoonal climate dictates the environment with constant humidity. I come from the hot, dry, south-west coast of Australia and I despise humidity - it sucks. During winter many people use a humidifier indoors across China. Nose bleeds can also be a problem because the air, when conditions are suitable for snow, is very dry. Some people, including me, get a problem with dry, itchy skin on the legs - which can be remedied with a cheap, medicated lotion in a yellow bottle.

It sounds like you have a ventilation problem, not necessarily a humidity problem. A note of caution for certain kinds of mould; some mould is very toxic and is known to trigger respiratory problems such as asthma. Opening the house up more frequently is the best solution, but also removing the mould is advisable if you have access and a mask to protect your lungs and airways. Even things like curtains can be mouldy but hard to see.

Moving could be the go, but I have never seen a clothes dryer in a rented apartment up here. Buying one can be expensive unless you are planning on a career and long-term service in China.

[大枪]

I had the same issue in a brand new apartment I was renting. It's not likely to be humidity. It is more likely that your bathroom wasn't sealed properly when it was built. That means moisture gets into your walls, and in winter, it just doesn't get a chance to dry. Use a dry towel to wipe over the affected areas every couple of days. If you leave it, it could spread and look really bad (like it did in our place).

Paul

[kaibo 开 博]

"Rising damp" ... is what they call that. They don't put the sealer in the grout or in the foundation under the tiles. When I fit-out and decorate my apartment I will enure they use the right materials. I am planning on purchasing the goods and finding the competent workmen. I will supervise as much as I can myself. Painting, electrical and things like that I shall do myself. If the workmen want to do sub-standard work I shall show them the door.

[Virginia9742]

Is there anything I can do?  The mold is pretty bad at this point, though not growing as fast as when it was warm.

I tried spraying it with concentrated alcohol, but that only slowed it down.

[Aussie Mike]

Mould basically needs a food source, air and water.  
The food source is the most difficult to remedy but if you eliminate one of the others, the triangle will be broken.

The easiest to remedy is standing or absorbed water. This is caused by stream, rising damp or leakage.

Steam - vent the room to create air flow, open a window, use an extractor fan, prevent the steam from condensing on cold surfaces.
Standing water - keep water from gathering in places, especially hidden corners and under objects.
Absorbed water - this is usually because surfaces are not sealed properly and water is trapped in the porous material such us grout.
Air - air circulation and temperature control will prevent mould re-growing. Humidity must be kept below 60%.

Solution
Dry mop all areas to remove excess water, use a mould remover to clean the areas to remove the food source, air the area with warm air to remove absorbed water, seal grout and surfaces, maintain air flow.

The heating lights with fans for the bathroom are excellent for controlling mould.