Moldy Camera Bags!

[photogdave]

A couple of my Lowepro camera bags are starting to get a bit of mold on them. They are stored under a desk in my basement-level office.
The gear inside is mostly seldom-used SLR stuff but I keep it packed with silica gel packs and the gear seems fine. My more important stuff is either in a Pelican case or in constant use.
So, what is the best way to clean the mold and what's the best way to keep it from coming back? Should I be worried about the gear inside?
Thanks!

 

[mto'brien]

Strong UV light.

 

[photogdave]

Anyone else with tips?

 

[PKR]

Sunshine for the bag after a wash in mild bleach and Si gel in the pelicans. I keep 3 of the metal Si Gel cakes in each case. They are sold at gun shops. 3 hrs at 300F refreshes them.

 

[Frank Petronio]

Arizona, living in BC isn't good for your gear.

 

[skibeerr]

Had a problem in one room of the house, clothes kept there got mold on them, I bought the cheap, what's the word in English, a basket with a bag of salt in it and a recipient beneath. Works like silica gel but the water is collected in the recipient.

You will have to empty the thing, you will be amazed how much water it collects, and put in a new bag from time to time but it works great.
The mould problem in the room is gone.

 

[Keith]

A strong salt solution will kill the mould and remove the stain, then just wash the bag in mild detergent ... I'd be avoiding bleach!

 

[photogdave]

Sunshine for the bag after a wash in mild bleach and Si gel in the pelicans. I keep 3 of the metal Si Gel cakes in each case. They are sold at gun shops. 3 hrs at 300F refreshes them.

Good tip. Thanks!

 

[photogdave]

Arizona, living in BC isn't good for your gear.

My boss bought a house in Arizona and spends every other month there. I'm stuck here full time...

 

[photogdave]

Had a problem in one room of the house, clothes kept there got mold on them, I bought the cheap, what's the word in English, a basket with a bag of salt in it and a recipient beneath. Works like silica gel but the water is collected in the recipient.

You will have to empty the thing, you will be amazed how much water it collects, and put in a new bag from time to time but it works great.
The mould problem in the room is gone.

I do have these! They are called Dry-Z-Air here and they do work great. I keep them on the windowsills in the basement and one in the laundry room. Maybe I will get one more and put it under the desk with the camera bags.

 

[photogdave]

A strong salt solution will kill the mould and remove the stain, then just wash the bag in mild detergent ... I'd be avoiding bleach!

Good tip. Thanks!

 

[kutting]

In Singapore with high relative humidity most photographers use dry cabinets. They're not expensive and they seem to do a reasonable job of keeping my gear fungus free (touch wood).