One pro tip on how to clean mildew off wicker furniture is to do it outside on a dry, sunny day. The sun will help kill the mildew faster, preventing them from growing any further.
Wicker furniture is a top choice for indoor and outdoor design. Aside from the fact that they look very homey, this type of furniture is also known for its sturdiness and comfortability.
They come with different weave patterns, colors, and styles that suit any aesthetic schemes you might want for your home. Since a lot of wicker furniture is made from natural products such as plant fibers and reeds, they are also at risk for mold and mildew growth.
Check out these steps on how to eliminate mildew off your wicker furniture and tips on how to spot them.
What Does Mildew Look Like?
Before we get into the tutorial, you should first know what you are dealing with. Mildew is a type of fungus that can grow in any damp environment.
A lot of people seem to mistake mildew for mold growth. Even though they both thrive on wet surfaces, the main difference is their color.
To know more about this topic, take a look at this guide on what color is mildew.
Aside from their color, mildew is also more powdery in texture than molds’ fuzzy appearance. It always appears flat and doesn’t have that strong smell like most molds have.
If you spot mildew on your wicker furniture, don’t worry because this type of fungus grows on the surface only. Therefore, it will be much easier to clean and won’t have as much damage as mold would typically cause.
Steps On Removing Mildew Off Your Furniture
Step #1. Remove dust and debris
Before anything else, please bring out your duster or microfiber cloth to clean your wicker furniture from any debris and dust. You may use a soft paintbrush or a small toothbrush to reach dirt between the crevices.
You may use a vacuum cleaner to get the job done more efficiently. Since you’ll be cleaning your furniture for mildew, you might as well clean everything up while you’re at it.
Performing general cleaning to your furniture will make it faster and more manageable for you to eliminate mildew later on.
Step #2. Place your wicker furniture under the sun
If the weather is bright and dry, we recommend moving your workplace and affected furniture outside. This will enable the light to penetrate the mold cells and prevent them from reproducing.
Since mold and mildew love to grow in warm and moist areas, exposure to cool fresh air will help lift the moisture and stop further growth. Sun and fresh air can also help eliminate any musty odors stuck in your wicker furniture.
If you’ve kept a piece of mildew-infested furniture inside your home, there’s a chance that your house smells like one too. Here’s a post that can help you answer your question on “why does my house smell like mildew.”
Step #3. Create a cleaning solution
The next step is to decide which cleaning solution you’d like to use for your wicker furniture. You could use ammonia, bleach, or white vinegar.
For white vinegar, make a solution of 75% water and 25% vinegar. However, for ammonia and bleach, try to have a 50/50 solution.
Avoid mixing ammonia and bleach, as they may produce toxic gases like chloramine. When inhaled, these toxic gases will pose a danger to your health and lead to serious health complications.
Once you’re decided on your solution, carefully put it in a spray bottle.
Step #4. Apply and scrub your solution
Now that you have your cleaning solution prepared, carefully spray it to the affected spot of your wicker furniture. Ensure to protect yourself by wearing eyeglasses, masks, and gloves while handling chemicals.
Then, use a brush to scrub the mildew off your furniture gently. It may work better if you dip the brush into the cleaning solution now and then.
You may use a cotton swab to reach those spots for hard-to-reach areas, especially where the weaving patterns meet the wood.
Step 5. Rinse and dry your furniture
Don’t rinse your furniture just yet. Place it in a dry area with just enough sunlight (not too much!) and allow your solution to set.
Doing this will allow your cleaning mixture to do its job and directly penetrate the mildew to kill it. After 30 minutes to an hour, rinse your furniture thoroughly using clean water to remove any traces of your cleaning solution.
Then, air dry your furniture. You may use a towel or kitchen paper to pat dry and make sure that you absorb as much moisture as you can.
Conclusion
When learning how to clean mildew off wicker furniture, you must keep in mind to let it dry completely before using it again. Doing this can avoid warping or stretching of the wicker.
If you can’t clean your furniture outside for any reason, try to go somewhere with a lot of space and windows. You’ll need proper circulation, especially since you will be handling chemicals.