Illawarra drycleaner tackling mould has 'never seen anything like it'

Owner of Synergy Dry Cleaning, Hugh Wingate, said the business has been running for 70 years, and in the time he's been there, he's "never seen anything like it."

"We would normally have three or four leather jackets in production to clean, I would say there's probably 60 or 70 there right now," Mr Wingate said.

"A lot of people bring a boot-load of jackets and suits and good stuff and they've thrown the rest out. It's just horrendous."

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Mr Wingate said his employees have been overwhelmed with work and, because of staff shortages due to COVID-19, many were struggling with the load.

"We've probably got three times the amount of work we'd normally have and half the staff," he said.

"It's the first time ever I've had staff come up and say 'we're not coping'."

Mr Wingate suggested the best way to stop the spread of mould on clothes was to clean the garments quickly and ensure there was adequate ventilation in clothing storage spaces.

"Because it's growing on the clothes, most of the time it's just a quick response, proper cleaning, open your cupboards, let the air circulate," he said.

Wet weather causing high humidity was the perfect environment for mould growth, according Dr Leela Kempton from the Sustainable Buildings Research Centre at the University of Wollongong.

Dr Keempton previously told the Mercury spraying a solution of tea tree oil and water was a good way to clean mould from surfaces, if you let it sit before wiping down. She also said aeration was key.

"When that rain subsides, make sure you ventilate the house really well," she said, particularly rooms with especially high humidity such as bathrooms and laundries.

NSW Health also recommends limiting humidifiers, indoor plants and fish tanks, to reduce humidity levels in the home.

Following these methods may help prevent the spread of mould, which can cause health issues if inhaled.

Symptoms of mould exposure include a runny or blocked nose, irritation of the eyes and skin, and sometimes wheezing.

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