Ceramic containers often come as pots or vases that come in contact with water. When you know how to get rid of mildew on ceramic container, even with the excessive humidity that causes the mildew to multiply, this problem is more manageable.
Although ceramics containers are made of inorganic material, mildew and molds still find a way to grow as long as the necessary elements are still present. Mildew thrives in ceramic containers such as flower pots because they give an ideal growing habitat.
To prevent fungus growth, you must maintain these pots and keep them in a warm environment and lower humidity.
Mildew appears as white or black growths inside rims of pots or at the bottom, near the drainage tray. It would be best if you practiced cleaning these pots regularly.
This will prevent mildew from spreading and improve the appearance of your plant containers. Cleaning won’t take long, and you’re likely to have most of the supplies you’ll need on hand.
Steps On Getting Rid Of Mildew On Ceramic Container
Removing mildew and mold in your ceramic containers is very easy to do as long as you have the cleaning tools at hand and time. It can get a bit time-consuming, mainly if the mildew and mold colony already occupies a large portion of the container.
The process is mostly the same as the other objects contaminated by molds and mildew. The thing that would separate them is the way ceramic containers are handled.
As a consequence of their construction, ceramic containers are fragile and need more care when being managed. With that in mind, here’s how you do it.
Step #1. Empty the container
To clean the ceramic container and free it of mildew or molds, first, the containers must be free of anything that would cause an obstacle during cleaning. Let us start by emptying the container first.
If your ceramic container is akin to that of a flower pot, please remove the soil as well.
Step #2. Remove the mildew
After emptying the container, you can start by lightly scrubbing the mildew off the ceramic container. During this time, focus on removing physically visible mildew and mold colonies.
For safety, check this article on how to identify black mold vs mildew, so you know what you’re dealing with accordingly. Careful not to clean too hard, or you might damage your container or, worse, break it.
Step #3. Treat the mildew
Mix an equal partition of white vinegar and water in a container of your choice. As it is, pushing the trigger on a spray bottle can be tiring.
You might want to use a pitcher for larger ceramic containers or pots so that you can pour the cleaning solution as you work over the sides. Use distilled water instead of hard tap water if you have a hazy white coating on your ceramic surfaces.
If the mildew got in your clothes, read this article on how to remove mildew from clothes with vinegar.
The ceramic container will require no additional action for thin layers of mildew; the spray can be dried on the planter and kill the fungi.
If the mildew persists after the first application, repeat the process. This time, wipe the sides of the ceramic container with a soft scrub brush or cloth.
After cleaning the mildew away, rinse the area with water, then reapply the spray and allow it to dry.
Step #4. Sanitize
To make sure it’s entirely safe for use once more, you should sanitize your ceramic container pretty thoroughly first before using it. Fill the bucket halfway with water and the other half with bleach.
If you use too much bleach on a ceramic pot, it will wear it out, so use it judiciously. In this case, little is more.
Place the cleaned pot in the water-bleach combination. Avoid putting a cold pot in warm water or vice versa, as the temperature shift may shatter the clay.
Make sure that the container soaks for at least 30 minutes. Cover it in the duration with a trash bag over the top of the pot.
Drain the container thoroughly and place it in a bucket or trash bag filled with plain water once it has completed soaking. Allow it another 30 minutes of resting time.
Bleach is toxic to plants, so try to avoid using it as much as possible. To eliminate all of the bleach, repeat the rinsing bath as many times as necessary, each time using fresh water.
Drain the ceramic once again and let it dry thoroughly. If you’re scared to use bleach, try white vinegar instead.
Also, make sure to rinse it well, and there you go! You now have to rid your ceramic container of mildew mold and other possible stains.
Conclusion
Mildew and mold are very unpleasant to the eyes and may cause health issues for your family, so make sure you understand how to get rid of mildew on ceramic container. It is essential to make sure that such things would not be allowed to reoccur, and when it does, it is much safer when you know how to deal with them.
We have provided you with enough information on the topic you seek. If not today, someday, you’ll find a use for this when the need arises. You must constantly strive to make sure that molds and mildew don’t ruin your home.