Thanks a lot, mould: how to beat the fungus in Hong Kong’s humid spring

Dehumidifiers, cedar balls and air purifiers: a self-help guide for keeping your wardrobe mould free

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Mould takes hold of leather goods and more in humid Hong Kong. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 11:30am, 1 Mar 2020Updated: 11:30am, 1 Mar 2020

Are you at peace with the mould in your life? That would be the first line in my mould self-help book. Working title, Thanks a Lot, Mould.

Living in humid Hong Kong, we all have to come to terms with mould in our lives. It’s particularly conspicuous when I switch out my clothes from one season in preparation for the next. I pull out a leather bag and find it covered in white spots. Thanks a lot, mould. Favourite sandals? Thanks a lot, mould.

Another wake-up call came on a recent trip. I went to unpack outfits for a family holiday and as I unzipped the suitcase, an unpleasant musty smell wafted out. Was it the suitcase or have I been walking around in mouldy clothes all this time? Hard to tell, but thanks a lot, mould.

Moulds have been used as antibiotics to treat infections since the ancient Greek and Egyptian civilisations. In 1928, Scottish scientist Alexander Fleming made the serendipitous discovery of penicillin. (Thank you, mould. Sincerely.) However, mould has a bad reputation for good reason. In large quantities, it can make us sick. It can also ruin our clothes and shoes, discolour our walls, blacken our shower tiles, rot our fruit and make everything smell awful. In essence, mould is a type of fungus that causes natural materials to biodegrade – and it’s a problem.

For items in our wardrobes, spot cleaning can often remedy the issue. A good brush, dry rag or HEPA vacuum can remove surface mould. On hard surfaces such as walls, dedicated mould cleaners or a white vinegar/water solution are recommended. However, depending on how hysterical you become, you might worry that these methods only send mould spores into the air, thereby spreading the contagion. For one or two items, I wouldn’t worry, but get them professionally cleaned anyway. If the mould is widespread, you need an expert to assess and then eliminate the problem.

A well-organized closet helps prevent mould damage. Photo: Shutterstock