Cleaning and Stain Removal - Mold on couch cushions (outside furniture)
Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.View Full Version : Mold on couch cushions (outside furniture)
brandee1969
08-20-08, 10:13 AM
Please help! I have cream colored cushions on rattan couch on my covered porch. It gets mist from rain(sometimes direct if it blows) and has started to mold. Im not sure how to remove the mold from the cushions. I'm not real wild about bleaching, but will do what I have to. Anyone have any suggestions? BTW, I live in Florida, and it's quite humid all the time. Any suggestions to KEEP mold from happening is appreciated also.
Shadeladie
08-20-08, 12:50 PM
Hi and welcome to the forum! Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if there's mold on the outside, then there's mold on the inside and there's nothing that can be done.
Your best bet would be to buy new ones or have new ones made using outdoor foam, which is called "open cell foam". It costs much more but it doesn't retain water which will be helpful for preventing mold, and Sunbrella fabric.
Other than keeping them dry, I'm not sure there's really a good way to prevent mold, but the outdoor foam would be helpful.
Your best bet would be to buy new ones or have new ones made using outdoor foam, which is called "open cell foam". It costs much more but it doesn't retain water which will be helpful for preventing mold, and Sunbrella fabric.
Other than keeping them dry, I'm not sure there's really a good way to prevent mold, but the outdoor foam would be helpful.
twelvepole
08-22-08, 11:19 AM
Mold and mildew spores are everywhere in the air. When they find a damp, soiled surface, they tend to settle in. Cushions on outdoor furniture are often a target, because of body oils, soils, and food and drink spills. An enzyme digester cleaner can be used to digest the mold/mildew. At best you can expect to lighten stains. These cleaners are marketed under a variety of names such as Out, Nature's Miracle, OdoBan, and others. If mold/mildew has penetrated the upholstery into the padding, you will be unable to clean the affected area.
Keeping cushions wiped clean and stored in dry, well-ventilated location when not in use helps to keep mold/mildew at a minimum. If no storage area is available, you can always slip cushions under a guest room bed.
Keeping cushions wiped clean and stored in dry, well-ventilated location when not in use helps to keep mold/mildew at a minimum. If no storage area is available, you can always slip cushions under a guest room bed.
brandee1969
08-23-08, 08:53 AM
Thank you both so much for your replies! I have removed the pillows from the coverings and have them soaking in Oxiclean, (which so far hasn't helped :( ) the next step I guess will be diluted bleach. The pillows aren't moldy, just the coverings, so hopefully, I can save them, if not, lesson learned!
Again, thank you both for the info and responses! Any more pearles of wisdom are appreciated also!
~Brandee
Again, thank you both for the info and responses! Any more pearles of wisdom are appreciated also!
~Brandee