So*, I went to open Emma's window to air out her room because of the acetone fumes that were coming down from upstairs where they're cleaning and re-doing the apartment that was just vacated. Her vertical hanging blinds have been shut the last few months because it's been so cold and that's the only way to keep our rooms livable-- to keep the windows and blinds shut all the time.
I've mentioned before the crappy quality of building materials our landlord apparently likes to use, and their poor installation. And I'll be the first one to admit that I'm not the world's greatest housekeeper. But that did not prepare me for what I found when I pulled back the shades:
There was black mold growing all over the windowsill! Eeeeew!!!
I mean, like I said, I'm no great housekeeper, but I've never in my life had black mold grow inside the house just because a room had the windows closed for a couple of months! Ick! So I got out the bleach to kill it. And lo and behold, it was also behind Emma's bed where the bed was blocking the light! Ick!
After a 10-minute bleach-scrubbing frenzy, the stuff is gone, and the window is open and light is on to make sure it dries thoroughly. But, really, that is not what I want to see when I go in my daughter's room. Ever again. Stupid crappy construction of the windows.
No wonder I've been having trouble breathing in there! Luckily, it hadn't spread to anything else yet, but I'll be washing all her clothes and sheets with vinegar. I wiped down that whole wall, the bed, and all the other furniture with bleach. I'm hoping that vanquishes the moldy enemy.
Posted by Dick Button (Member # 9197) on :
Look at the slash-and-burn vitality!
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
It's mildew. Moisture must be be getting in somehow (and in an apartment, I'm not surprised) and where condensation sits, mildew happens.
It's terrible in Portland during the winter when it's so wet and cold the whole season. My parents have terrible windows and it's a constant battle to keep the allergies at bay. Bleach will definitely do the trick.
Posted by romanylass (Member # 6306) on :
Mold really, really sucks. Do you have single panes?
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
Stachybotrys Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Yup, romany, single panes. Narnia, I know mildew. We get mildew all the time. I saw a little mildew, but most of it was black mold. Different growth pattern.
Tante, it's not quite the same, but that looks scarily like what it looked like.
We are moving out of here in August when our lease is up.
But maybe I should just call the health inspector and have the room tested. And if it's contaminated our landlord will have to pay to relocate us. (He'd hate that, evil cheapskate!)
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