Mold/Rust on clothes in Puerto Rico

Yes. For zippers. Lubricate them regularly. I use soap. I researched this because it happened to a surf board bag ($100) and a small back pack ($50). The problem with my zippers was mold.

I wonder if you can put the clothes/purses in a plastic air tight container.

We used to store clothes in those zip lock vacuum bags, in closets we use the backing soda boxes to absorb excess humidity. Humidity is very high in the island, even the houses, if you leave them close up for long periods of times may develop some mold and have that funky smell.

Yes to the bags. I do this with anything that will become moldy when I am away for a long time. However, even if one is using items on a regular basis zippers can become moldy and treating them is still wise. If she wants to hang her vintage dresses in the closet without a garment bag then zippers can be treated (if she has a lot of garment then a bag is a good idea as labor intensive dealing with all those zippers).

Great ideas about the bags!

You can also add those desicant silica that come with electronics inside the bad before you suck the air out of the bag

My cousin (a long-time PR resident) uses a product called Damp Rid. I have used this in closets, but cannot attest to long-term protection. I think I will look into this problem.  There are some special materials that are made for use on boats. That might be a way to research solutions.

When I was in the military, we used moth balls on the equipment, not the best smelling thing but it did the job.

Moisture is another reason why I prefer the South Coast. After living in South Florida I knew one thing to avoid is moisture. Moisture leads to mildew, rust, allergies. Hot and dry has some benefits. Maybe this is why a lot of Taino Indians chose the South Coast.

Mrkpytn wrote:

Moisture is another reason why I prefer the South Coast. After living in South Florida I knew one thing to avoid is moisture. Moisture leads to mildew, rust, allergies. Hot and dry has some benefits. Maybe this is why a lot of Taino Indians chose the South Coast.

The area of Ponce may be a little bit more dry, but still humid. I am from Guayanilla, which is about 15 minutes from Ponce, last summer when we were in the island the humidity was very high. I will say high in the mountains is better since it is further away from the beach and cooler.

Yes, Ponce can be humid. Maybe it is our house then. It has 13' ceilings original transoms above the windows that have 24 hour air circulation and no glass windows. We do plan on building on our farm 1200 feet in elevation just North of Ponce. For us Ponce has the perfect climate for 6 winter months.

frogrock wrote:

My cousin (a long-time PR resident) uses a product called Damp Rid. I have used this in closets, but cannot attest to long-term protection. I think I will look into this problem.  There are some special materials that are made for use on boats. That might be a way to research solutions.

We use Damp Rid in our closets as well.  When we first moved here, I had mold form on my camera lenses.  Fortunately it was on the outside and was an easy fix.  I have some 100+ year-old collectible books, so I have two containers in that closet along with my camera gear.  I make it a point to check everything a couple of times per month to make sure all is well.

In another lifetime I studied book/paper preservation.  The best way to combat mold is to remember first the conditions in which mold grows, which is in darkness, stagnant air and high humidity.  You can reverse the growth process of  mold by providing fresh air and moisture control. 
Salt in the air is a whole other issue. Anyone who has live near an ocean knows how ravaging this can be. A relatively small price to pay for the enchantment of seaside life.

We have fans in the bathrooms and closets and leave the doors OPEN all the time.  Close them for even a couple hours and the moisture really builds up.  We haven't had mold on clothing yet, but I can see how it could happen!

Mrkpytn wrote:

Yes, Ponce can be humid. Maybe it is our house then. It has 13' ceilings original transoms above the windows that have 24 hour air circulation and no glass windows. We do plan on building on our farm 1200 feet in elevation just North of Ponce. For us Ponce has the perfect climate for 6 winter months.

Ponce is a beautiful city, my family is original from La Playa de Ponce. Some of them live different parts of the city now. My first rental house when we got married was in el barrio la Plata in Ponce, no AC, shutter windows and the creek running in the back yard. The house was lifted in wood columns (zocos) and when it rain hard the creek will raise almost to the back door.....

So your farm will be in Ponce or in Adjuntas? North of ponce you are in colindance with Adjuntas and Jayuya, sometimes properties up there are 1/2 in one town and the other. Beautiful area, you will save a ton in A/C, nights get chilli up there.....

Not much you can do: damp rid works as do Kirkland ( or any brand ) dryer sheets in drawers.... someone told me you can bleach the rust stains out but i've had no luck....BTW: almost everything rusts so buy cheap or buy expensive but you will have to replace most stuff  sooner than later... it's the price we pay for living in paradise....

From my own perspective, I have a problem with black mold, and I am in the drier mountains. I worry about the health concerns. It is toxic and can be deadly. I am living on social security and cannot afford an air conditioner or dehumidifier, or to move away, so I spray bleach frequently, and I'm told even too much chlorine is harmful.!  You can read about this mold  at buzzle.com/articles/toxic-black-mold-symptoms-poisoning.html

ponce is very high crime. i read about it several days a week. i have friends that grew up in ponce and suggest never to go there  its one of the places i havent been to because of this