Lesson Learned the Hard Way

**McD** · 04-27-2010, 11:55 AM

Maggie is 5 months old now and I figured it was about time to break out the playpen and high chair that we had stored in the basement from Wesley's baby days.

I went to pull them out of the basement today and they were covered in nasty mildew and mold. Our basement gets very humid and there was a 3-5 month span we didn't have a dehumidifier in the basement. I never thought to check them.

So now, due to improper storage on my part, I will be having to purchase a new to us playpen and highchair.

Lesson Learned: Check your storage items occasionally! It can save you money in the long run.

**nodmicks** · 04-27-2010, 01:28 PM

Ugh sorry! Sadly I have BTDT!

**mauimagic** · 04-27-2010, 01:33 PM

Sorry for this lesson - but we all go through these junk learnings!!

**daughter of pearl** · 04-27-2010, 01:50 PM

Awww, that's so annoying, huh? Well, lucky Maggie, getting new stuff!

**druthb00** · 04-27-2010, 03:05 PM

Ugh, I never want to see the words 'mildew' and 'mold' ever again! Be sure to check your other items carefully; especially wooden items. By the time we moved out of our h#$%hole condo, almost every peice of wooden furniture had some mold on it because of the extended period of high humidity. Pledge works wonders to remove/prevent it if you do find any.

**ncarr** · 04-27-2010, 04:40 PM

what a bummer

I'm sorry this happened.

**Jayceef** · 04-27-2010, 05:03 PM

That sucks.

**Debbie-cat** · 04-27-2010, 08:03 PM

Oh no! What a pain in the butt. So sorry. Hopefully you can find some good used items cheap.

**TigerGirl1226** · 04-27-2010, 08:26 PM

I worry about that when I put stuff in our attic. Here in Louisiana humidity to so high on a normal basis then putting it in the attic. I hope if/when we have another child most of our stuff is reusable.

**mek42** · 04-27-2010, 08:41 PM

Not sure how much effort you want to trade for cash, but thorough bleaching should kill the fungi, then you could strip and then paint the piece.

Even after bleaching, though, do not inhale any dust from sanding. Spores in lungs = very, very bad, up to and including permanent respiratory injury and death. In fact, if you don't have a PAPR, it might be best to not sand, but just scrape.

**McD** · 04-28-2010, 10:06 AM

mek42--I thought about that, however, there were lots of cloth pieces that were covered and nasty. There were straps that were attached.

With all the respiratory problems we have had with Wesley, our 4 year old, I felt much more comfortable getting rid of the pieces while inwardly swearing at my stupidity.

The playpen isn't something that I think is an absolute must for our family, so I doubt I will be replacing that. I will be needing to replace the high chair so. I want to downgrade to a smaller one--I like the Fisher Price Space Savers that set on a regular dining chair and can be converted to a booster.