Due to the especially harmful effects of spores on the lungs, a N95 mask should be used. These can be bought at most hardware stores. If you are allergic to mold or mold sensitive, cover as much of your skin as possible. Wear a long sleeve shirt and coveralls, in this case.
If you move the furniture outside, slit a garbage bag or two and tape the bag(s) around the furniture. This will prevent the spread of spores when transporting the furniture through your house. Many cleaning agents, like bleach, give off harmful fumes. At minimum, you should clean in a well-ventilated area.
When emptying the bag or canister of the vacuum, do so outside and into a plastic bag. Seal the bag tightly and throw it away. [4] X Research source
Even when dealing with light mold, be sure you wear gloves, an air mask, and googles. Light mold still produces harmful spores. Mold thrives on moisture. If your home climate is humid, place your furniture in a small room with a dehumidifier for similar results to a sunlight cleaning. [5] X Expert Source Susan StockerHouse Cleaning Professional Expert Interview. 8 November 2019. To improve the mold fighting power of the sunlight, mix equal parts water and white vinegar and lightly spray the furniture in the morning when placing it outside.
Wood that is painted or stained isn’t likely to have been penetrated below the surface by the mold. In these cases, mild cleaners should work.
When finished cleaning, wipe the surface of your furniture with a damp towel. If no mold remains, wipe the wood once more with a dry rag. If mold remains, repeat this process. Before doing this, you should try brushing an out of sight area on the furniture with the solution first. Some brushes may damage certain finishes. [7] X Trustworthy Source State of Michigan Official website for the State of Michigan Go to source
Reapply the vinegar again in this fashion if necessary. Wipe the wood thoroughly with a dry rag when the mold is removed.
Only mold on the surface of your wooden furniture will be removed by bleach alone. Mold that has sunk roots into the wood will require a surfactant added, like detergent. Bleach can lighten or completely whiten the colors of some dyed cloth, like clothing or carpet. Take care when handling bleach, and consider wearing a smock or clothes you don’t mind throwing away.
For best results, move the furniture outside, clean it as described with the bleach solution, and then allow it to air dry in the sunshine. Using a stiff bristle brush on wooden furniture could damage its finish. If this happens to your furniture, you’ll have to refinish the wood. If the bleach solution does not completely remove the mold, its roots may be sunk too deeply in the wood to be removed by cleaning agents alone.
Even lightly sanding finished wood will cause damage to the finish and require refinishing once the mold is removed.
