Moldy Sauder storage cabinet. My clothes are getting moldy too.. help!?
October 29th, 2009 | 
Author:
I bought a Sauder storage cabinet about six months ago because I had a pile of clothes, shoes and miscellaneous items that didn’t fit in my closet. I put this cabinet in an area that is just as humid as the rest of the house. There used to be a smaller storage cabinet (an old Sauder) in that same spot before I had bought the current one.. well that one never got moldy (it’s still in perfect condition with no mold or mildew) and we’ve had it since 1993.
The area I live in, is a very humid place… sometimes humidity is 65% and higher, and having said this, I’ve NEVER had that mildew and mold problem with any other Sauder furniture I’ve owned before. We have other Sauder furniture that we’ve had for a long time (15+ years) and they are still very well preserved and never in their whole time here, have they had mold and mildew on them.
I guess my question is, what do I do to fix this? Is it fixable or should I throw it out? My clothes are getting smelly and there is even mildew and mold ON them, and the shoes as well… It’s so gross… I’m afraid that they’ll get ruined if I don’t do something soon.
I’d hate to have to throw away my storage cabinet since it’s not even a year old.
Please help me!
The storage cabinet in question is this one:
http://www.sauder.com/furniture/product.asp?p=955
Mine is just like that one, only that it has more shelves in between.
I like Dan’s solution, but if this cabinet is like most Sauder stuff, it may be best to trash it. A lot of these assemble-it-yourself cabinets, computer desks, bookcases and entertainment centers are mostly particle board, MDF (medium density fiberboard) and/or wood laminates. If that’s the case, especially if it’s particle board, it will soak up moisture like a sponge. The material swells, warps and splits. It sounds like you have one of the cheaper cabinets that doesn’t have a protective finish. If you think you can save it, then do as Dan suggested. But the trick will be letting the cabinet completely dry out before applying any finish or protective coating.
Posted in Storage Cabinets
You need to get a good mold killer and then prime it with Kilz. Both are available at Home Depot. The mold killer in Garden cleaning aisle and the Kilz in Paint department.
References :
I like Dan’s solution, but if this cabinet is like most Sauder stuff, it may be best to trash it. A lot of these assemble-it-yourself cabinets, computer desks, bookcases and entertainment centers are mostly particle board, MDF (medium density fiberboard) and/or wood laminates. If that’s the case, especially if it’s particle board, it will soak up moisture like a sponge. The material swells, warps and splits. It sounds like you have one of the cheaper cabinets that doesn’t have a protective finish. If you think you can save it, then do as Dan suggested. But the trick will be letting the cabinet completely dry out before applying any finish or protective coating.
References :
http://thebarefootbadger.com/problems-with-particleboard/
You could lay the cabinet on it’s side, prop open the doors and set an oscilating fan/ heater, temp. medium heat and leave it go for a few hours to dry out fully then coatit with a anti-mould sealer. Then put some pieces of Cedar timber in cabinet then,wash your cothes in lemon wash powder, sit back with a chilled wine of your choice and check it out.
References :
Aussie furniture restorer