SOS: Mould in camera closet

[p.giannakis]

Hi guys,

Much to my horror, I realised that the closet walls where i keep my cameras are covered with small green spots which appeared to be mould. Removed everything and cleaned it with Detol.
Any tips on how to keep the closet fungus free? How do you store your cameras?

 

[magicianhisoka]

In a dry box or dry cabinet for me. Keeps everything air tight and keeps the moisture away.

 

[Chris101]

Keep it dry, and put a UV lamp in there ito sterilize the walls.

 

[Landshark]

In SE Asia we used a small light bulb on all the time.
No fires in almost three years. No mold either.

 

[ricnak]

For a cupboard you could try stuff like this:

http://www.damprid.com/products

 

[Geordiepete]

An auto dry cabinet is a great solution. I have one made by Toyo.

 

[pakeha]

run a dehumidifier in there occasionally -thats all you need to do.

 

[Robert Lai]

Needless to say, you have probably checked all your lenses and cameras for mould?

I use storage boxes that have ventilation holes drilled in them. My wife insists that I keep the camera gear in the basement. I keep them on shelves, off the floor. I also run a dehumidifier in the basement. The closet with the camera gear has a container of "Damp Rid" atmospheric moisture absorber to assist in keeping the humidity in the camera closet low.

Unfortunately, the UK can be quite damp. A Zeiss Super Ikonta A that I purchased from a UK seller had a case that was infested with mould. Needless to say, the case was promptly discarded. Never put anything with mould into your camera closet. If it can't be thrown away, at least try disinfecting it first. Other troublesome spots for mould include items from Florida or the Gulf coast of the USA.

If you could relocate all of your camera gear to a closet that doesn't have an outside wall on one or two sides, it may help prevent the damp and mould issue in your camera closet.

 

[ChrisPlatt]

I recently noticed a bunch of old camera cases in a bedroom closet
had molded slightly. I thought it a bit odd since it's an interior wall.

I keep all my cameras and lenses in a closed cabinet near enough to
the heating convector and A/C to be considered "climate controlled".

Chris

 

[Avotius]

I have 3 "Wonderful" brand dry boxes, one is an auto one. They work brilliantly and I consider a must have for any photographer.

 

[George Bonanno]

I store my photo equipment in foot lockers with a 4 watt incandescent light bulb in each one. Here in NNJ and VN the humidity is extreme so the bulbs do the job. It's not so much the light output but the small amount of heat generated that keeps the air circulating and to a certain degree eliminates high humidity.

OT: Avotius... your Tumblr is right on target.

 

[kxl]

Cat litter

 

[George Bonanno]

Cat litter

Surely you jest.
The smell of ammonia does not go well with photo equipment.

 

[kxl]

Surely you jest.
The smell of ammonia does not go well with photo equipment.

The smell of ammonia comes from a cat's urine, not the cat litter. 😱

I'm not suggesting that the OP get a cat, just cat litter -- the kind made of silica gel -- yes, the same silica gel sold as a desiccant.

I'm surprised no one else has suggested this on this thread.

 

[George Bonanno]

The smell of ammonia comes from a cat's urine, not the cat litter.

Are you sure on your above statement ? From what I understand a cat is required when using cat litter.

I'm out of cigarettes and flashbulbs... I've got to get out of here.

 

[Leigh Youdale]

In SE Asia, and no doubt in other parts of the world, mould on shoes, in clothes and camera gear is kept at bay by a very simple device. Make a false floor for your closet drilled through with plenty of 1 inch holes - or just get pegboard, that'll do. Install the false floor about six inches above the closet floor. Place a low wattage (say 15-25W) light globe under the false floor and leave it on 24/7. Best to use some sort of holder so the glass is not actually in contact with anything.
Make sure there is some means of the warm air leaving the top of the closet. A breather panel or holes in the top where they can't be seen.

 

[p.giannakis]

Eventually i found mould on one of my cameras. Would it be ok to clean it with 99% clean methanol?

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Are you sure on your above statement ? From what I understand a cat is required when using cat litter.

Now, who's jesting whom?

 

[bigeye]

For a closet or large case I'd try a piano dehumidifier rod, AKA gun safe dehumidifier (yee hah!).

You can get them in different sizes, down to 6w.

 

[greyelm]

Check this link.

http://www.uknetguide.co.uk/Lifestyle_and_Leisure/Article/How_to_Treat_Mould_on_Walls-106292.html