A Guide to Removing Mould From Fabric Furniture at Home

Furniture is an excellent asset for our homes, and we seem to invest significantly in them often. For the same reason, doesn’t it break our hearts when we come across a nasty streak of mould on our most-loved furniture at home? Removing mould from fabric furniture is therefore critical.

Mould usually grows when you place your furniture in damp, dark and poorly ventilated rooms and when they get a chance to feed on dirt, dust and skin cells. The bad news is that the growth can progress until we take the right measure to stop and prevent its recurrence.

General cleaning of upholstered furniture is different from mould removal. Here is how you can clean upholstered furniture at home.

But you don’t have to panic if you spot mould and do not know how to remove it. We hear all your worries! So we are here to help you with a detailed guide on how to remove mould from your most-loved upholstery furniture. Read on. 

Reasons for Mould Growth on Upholstered Furniture 

We need to understand the potential reasons for mould growth on furniture before we attempt to clean them to treat them properly. Having organic matter on upholstered furniture like food crumbs, dust, and other damp substances makes way for mould growth. 

Moisture promotes mould growth on furniture quite easily. If the dust and debris on upholstered furniture at your home retain moisture for an extended period, mould growth is likely to begin. Therefore, we must always keep our furniture in well-ventilated and dry areas. Any place with a humidity level greater than 50% will aid mould growth. 

Many people prefer to cover upholstered furniture in plastic to prevent dust from accumulating. While plastic covers help to keep dust away, they come with the disadvantage of retaining moisture. Covering slightly damp upholstery furniture will not let air pass through. Hence, it is not a good idea. 

What to Know Before Removing Mould from Fabric Furniture?

We have to keep a few things in mind before beginning to remove mould from fabric furniture.

Wear a Protective Equipment

Mould exposure can cause several health issues like asthma and many other respiratory allergies. Hence, we should only clean mould after wearing protective equipment such as filter masks. Lifting mould spores from the furniture surface comes with the risk of inhaling them. 

Keep the Furniture Outside to Dry

We strongly recommend you keep the upholstery furniture in the sun for a few hours or even a full day before you start to clean them. Keeping the furniture air out for a long time will help reduce the musty smell on them. You can consider disassembling them if they are too heavy or big to carry outside. The spores will not thrive on the furniture when they are completely dry; a dry surface will also make the cleaning easier. 

Start Cleaning by Keeping the Furniture Outdoors

We must avoid every chance of spreading mould inside our homes. Therefore, it is best to clean the furniture by keeping them outdoors. 

Begin by Doing a Spot Test 

Test the cleaning solution you choose by applying it to a small invisible area of the upholstery fabric and wait to see if there is any discolouration. Never start cleaning by skipping this test as it can damage the entire furniture. 

Don’t Attempt to Clean Mould by Yourself if You Have Asthma 

Mould exposure can cause several negative effects on health if you already suffer from asthma or other respiratory issues. Intense reactions are likely to occur, so it is always better to entrust a professional mould removal and cleaning company such as Sendhelper if you’re considering cleaning your fabric furniture at your home in Singapore. 

Discard the Furniture if the Damage is Too Much 

Unfortunately, we will have to witness critical damages that cannot be reversed. In such situations, it is always better to discard such furniture that has considerably high mould growth. 

Easy Methods for Removing Mould from Fabric Furniture

It is vital to remove mould from fabric as soon as we notice them or else they will cause odours and stains. Any failure in doing so will result in damage to the whole furniture; it can also spread on the other items easily and damage them. Here are some ways to remove mould from fabric furniture at home effectively. 

Use Vinegar and Alcohol 

We use vinegar to clean almost everything in the kitchen. It is natural and versatile. Hence, it is used as the main ingredient in all green cleaning products. The use of vinegar is effective in removing stains on upholstery such as wine stains and urine stains.

The acidic nature of vinegar helps destroy many types of fungus and bacteria. So, you can use it to clean mould as well. Let’s take a look at how to use vinegar to remove mould from fabric furniture. 

Start with Vacuuming: After keeping the furniture outside for a few hours or even an entire day, proceed to clean them by vacuuming the stained area to remove the powdery residue of mould on the furniture. Use an upholstery brush attachment for this if you have one at home. 

Make the Cleaning Solution: Mix equal amounts of water and rubbing alcohol to prepare a solution and apply it to the furniture using a sponge by tapping motions. 

Spray Vinegar Solution on the Stain: Spray a little amount of vinegar and water mixed in equal proportions onto the stained areas on the furniture and let it dry outdoors. 

Note: Always keep in mind that mould can start its growth on any surface. So, take the vacuum cleaner bag out, empty it and wash it properly. Do not miss the filters and other attachments of your vacuum cleaner either. 

Apply Baking Soda to the Furniture

Using baking soda is a safe way to clean fabric upholstery furniture and other soft furnishings. Make sure that you wear protective gear while cleaning the furniture. After that, follow these steps to clean the fabric furniture.

• Mix a teaspoon of baking soda and two cups of warm water and fill them in a spray bottle. 
• Shake the bottle well for both ingredients to mix well. 
• Spray the mixture over the stained areas on the furniture and scrub the stains using a soft brush. 
• Follow the cleaning by rinsing the leftover baking soda using a clean damp fabric. 
• As a final step, spray some vinegar in the cleaned area to ensure that you have killed the mould. 

Use Hydrogen Peroxide 

Another way to get rid of mould from fabric furniture is by using hydrogen peroxide since it has several anti-fungal properties. Make a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution, apply it to the stain and leave it undisturbed for a few minutes. Follow by rinsing the solution using a damp cloth or sponge. Now wait for the fabric to dry; repeat the steps if necessary. 

Use Some Lemon Juice 

Lemon juice is an alternative just like vinegar- it is mildly acidic and hence is a great choice to kill mould from porous and non-porous materials. Lemon juice helps in the breakdown of mould when it comes in contact with the mould, thereby making it easier to remove the remaining bits of mould stains. 

Pre-treat the mould stains using a vacuum cleaner to collect all dry mould after keeping the furniture outdoors for a few hours. Squeeze the juice of three lemons in a bowl and apply them over the stains using a few damp cotton pads. Place the pads over the stained areas and remove them after ten minutes. Let the area air dry and vacuum the stain again. Repeat these steps and use some mild soap on the stains to get rid of them. 

Use Soap on Mould  

Regular detergent and soap we use at home for washing and cleaning also help in the effective removal of mould stains from fabric furniture. Mix a mild detergent or mild soap in warm water and squeeze a sponge into the solution. Transfer some foam into the stained areas of the upholstery furniture using the sponge. Follow the cleaning by removing the soap using a damp cloth after around fifteen minutes and letting the areas dry completely. 

Looking for the Perfect Mould Removal Service in Singapore?

Mould growth on upholstery furniture at our home usually results in staining. The spores could spread deeper into the furniture if the stains are already visible. Small mould spores are invisible to the naked eye- hence it only makes it harder for us to remove them completely. Therefore, it is always better to address the problem once we notice it. 

Getting the right professional cleaning for removing mould from fabric furniture on the Sendhelper App can save you. Our fully-equipped deep cleaning will do it the right way without leaving room for further mould growth. So all you have to do is download the Sendhelper app and request our deep cleaning service.

You can also avail the perk of $50 off on your first booking with us- just use the code GET50.