Removing Mold - Without Removing an Original Finish

The more he asked, the more confused he became.

A friend who recently moved to Mississippi had to put some of his Arts & Crafts collection in storage. When he returned a few months later, he discovered mold growing on several pieces of his furniture.

Like many of us, he did what only seemed natural: he Googled.

There he found hundreds of sites and scores of people all offering advice on how to kill mold.

As well-meaning as they all are, people often recommend products suitable for bathroom floors, shower stalls and ceramic tiles, but which could spell disaster for an original Arts & Crafts furniture finish. I took a look for myself and found recommendations for everything from furniture stripper, full-strength vinegar, Lysol, Murphy’s Oil Soap, trisodium phosphate and laundry detergent to “hosing it down and setting it out in the sun to dry.”

Before we eliminate it – safely – lets consider where and under what conditions mold can grow. It is a natural organism that requires moisture to survive. It prefers dark areas, such as the back of a bookcase or the underside of a chair seat.

But, if that is the case, why worry about what we can't see?

Left unchecked, even ordinary mold can cause allergic reactions in people - and it will eventually leave permanent scars on the finish.

The best thing you can do to discourage mold from forming is to reduce the moisture in the air. Dehumidifiers are the most effective, although fans help, too. While you might immediately think of ceiling and window fans, don’t forget the fan on your furnace. Using it to circulate fresh air throughout your house will also reduce stagnant, moisture-laden air.

So, what should you do if you find mold growing on your furniture?

Wiping it off with a dry or damp cloth might seem like the safest means of removal, but doing so leaves some mold spores in the pores and joints, where they immediately start reproducing. A bristle attachment on a vacuum is only slightly more effective.

We have to resort to something that will kill the mold spores on contact, yet will not harm an original finish. After having experimented with several different formulas and techniques, here is one I have used safely and successfully on my Arts & Crafts furniture.

1.) Combine 1 quart (4 cups) of water with 1 cup of ordinary household bleach in a mixing bowl or small bucket.

2.) Dip a clean sponge into the solution and wring out most of the liquid.

3.) Wipe off the mold, rinsing out your sponge in the solution often.

4.) Give the solution no more than two minutes to penetrate the mold in the pores of the wood, then wipe it completely dry with a clean, soft cloth.

Note: Do not do this in bright sunlight. Excessive heat and direct sunlight can harm an original finish and weaken the glue under any veneer. Protect the area around you, as even a mild bleach can affect the color of rugs, carpets and upholstery.

Tip of the Week: Use a discarded toothbrush to remove mold in hard to reach places. Follow with a dry, thin cloth wrapped around the handle to soak up any excess bleach-water.

-bj