How to remove mold from fabrics of your garden furniture
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Sunbeds, armchairs, deckchairs and sofas of all kinds: in summer, you might use a lot of furniture outside (aka garden furniture) to enjoy the warm, summer days. But exposed to the elements, the fabrics and upholstery of this furniture risks getting stained by mold that can appear in just few days (caused mainly by rain or overnight humidity/dew). So, what can be done to remove these mold stains?
How to clean moldy fabrics on garden furniture
When you have to clean the moldy fabric on garden furniture, you will need to equip yourself with:
- A brush or broom to scrub dirt off the fabrics, with bristles of a hardness dependent on how robust the fabric itself is;
- Regular bleach or hydrogen peroxide: bleach can be used on white, robust fabrics; hydrogen peroxide can be used on colored and/or more delicate fabrics;
- Gloves;
- Vacuum cleaner.
Here's how to proceed:
- Move the items you're cleaning as far away from the house as possible: it's best to avoid the risk of spreading mold spores to the house;
- Brush away the bulk of the dirt, paying particular attention to the mold stains;
- Use the vacuum cleaner to remove any finer dirt and debris particles that the above brushing dislodged;
- If possible, remove any cushion covers and soak them in hot water and bleach or hydrogen peroxide, as appropriate, for half an hour. NEVER mix these two substances together;
- If you can't remove the covers from the cushions, put the above-described solutions into a spray bottle and spray copiously onto the mold stains, leaving to act for up to an hour;
- Rinse off thoroughly;
- Allow the fabrics to air dry. If the fabrics are light-colored, it's even better to expose them to full sunlight (which also helps to neutralize mold spores).
Other important precautions
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After completing the above cleaning chores, don't forget to take care of your tools:
- The vacuum cleaner: immediately change the bag or thoroughly wash out the dust collection chamber (with hot water and hydrogen peroxide, or bleach);
- The brush or broom: obviously, you need to eliminate any molds spores the bristles have picked up. Wet the bristles with two tablespoons of bleach or four tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide. Remember, bleach is an aggressive product and could damage more delicate bristles. Then, rinse off thoroughly (and avoid the run-off from getting near your plants).
Whilst washing and cleaning
- Avoid breathing in mold spores by protecting your airways (with a face mask, for example);
- Avoid touching mold by wearing gloves at all times whilst cleaning.
Other precautions
- Put away cushions and other fabric items (like tablecloths, for example) at the end of the day to prevent humidity/dew settling on them during the night and causing the mold to return;
- If you do store the above in closets or closed spaces, remember to air them out from time to time.
With the right care, you should longer find mold on the fabrics of your garden furniture!
