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DIY Tips for Removing Mold and Mildew from Upholstered Furniture

removing mold and from upholstered furniture

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When mold and mildew invade your home, they spread rapidly over your floors, walls, and even your upholstery. It’s vital that you clean the mold and mildew from all affected areas quickly to prevent damage to your furnishings and to protect the health of you and your family. If the mold or mildew has penetrated deep into the fibers of your upholstery, you may need to discard the items or hire professional upholstery cleaners in NYC like Embassy Cleaners to clean them effectively. For mold and mildew on the surface of the material, you can clean the upholstery with some DIY tips.

Required materials for mold and mildew upholstery cleaning

Before you begin the cleaning process, you need to gather all the right materials for the job. Items essential to effectively cleaning mold and mildew from upholstery include:

  • A sunny, well-ventilated area
  • Gloves
  • Mask or respirator
  • Pants and long sleeves
  • Broom
  • Vacuum with filter
  • White vinegar
  • Water
  • Rubbing alcohol

Procedure to clean mold and mildew from upholstery

Prepare to remove the mold and mildew from your upholstery by dressing in long sleeves and pants you don’t mind throwing away after cleaning the upholstery. Put on goggles, gloves, and a mask to prevent inhaling mold spores. To clean mold and mildew from upholstery, follow these steps in a well-ventilated area:

  1. Take the item outside and into direct sunlight because sunlight kills the mold and prevents it from spreading through the house as you clean the upholstery.
  2. Sweep any visible mold off the fabric with a broom, but don’t sweep unaffected areas as this can spread the mold.
  3. Using a vacuum with a filter, use the brush attachment and vacuum clean the upholstery. When you finish vacuuming the upholstery, empty the vacuum canister or discard the vacuum bag to prevent the spread of mold spores back into the air.
  4. To remove a large quantity of mold from upholstery, mix mild soap or detergent and water until it’s full of suds then wipe only the suds onto the upholstery and rub thoroughly into the fabric. Follow by wiping the area with a clean, damp cloth to remove the soap.
  5. Allow the item to sit in direct sunlight for several hours to ensure elimination of the mold and mildew.

Once the item has dried, examine it for mold and check for mildew smell, and if any remains, spot treat the affected areas with equal parts water and rubbing alcohol in a cleaning solution. If you don’t want to use rubbing alcohol, use equal parts water and white vinegar, spray the fabric and let dry in direct sunlight. Following the cleaning, thoroughly rinse the vacuum canister, hoses, brush attachment, filter, and broom with straight white vinegar and set them in direct sunlight.

Additional options for mold and mildew upholstery cleaning

For a more natural approach to cleaning the mold and mildew from your upholstery, try antifungals such as grapefruit seed extract or tea tree oil.

  • Grapefruit seed cleaning solution – 20 drops grapefruit seed oil in 2 cups water, mix, and then spray with mold spray onto mold areas.
  • Tea tree oil cleaning solution – 2 teaspoons tea tree oil in 2 cup water, mix and then spray onto mold areas.

Mold and mildew thrive in moist areas so prevent the return of their spores by using a dehumidifier and fade-resistant upholstery pieces in direct sunlight. If you’re uncertain about using any cleaning solution on your furniture, it’s better to let Embassy Cleaners professionally clean your upholstery in NYC.

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Steven D
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Embassy is so far above other places I’ve used that I regret not discovering them sooner. Not only is the quality of their service exceptional (right down to the hangers they use), but they’re also environmentally conscious, and so friendly. The service is efficient and they communicate well when your items are ready for pickup. I can’t say enough good things about them.
Grant J
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I’ve used Embassy Cleaners for the last eight years. They do a wonderful job. Expert cleaners of fine clothes and home furnishings and great tailors. Their service is excellent. They listen to all of my instructions and are extremely diligent.
Charles F
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Excellent experience in all respects, e.g. friendly and honest staff, quality cleaning services for my oriental rugs, reasonable pricing, helpful customer service and punctual pickup/delivery service. I will continue to use Embassy Cleaners.
Viviana G
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Excellent seamstress! And very quick work! Love them
Ivan N
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I get my dry cleaning picked up and dropped off, I love this service. Life is so busy and it’s good to be able to take my mind off certain things, like my laundry. Thanks to the whole team.
Diane C S
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Embassy is extremely professional and does excellent cleaning!!
Chris M
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Been using them for the 3 years I’ve been here. Never, EVER, had a single issue. In fact, they are the best laundry/dry cleaner my shirts and other items have ever seen. Impeccable.
Susan
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The most fabulous cleaners!!
Heidi L
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I love this service. The clothes leave dirty and are returned clean and meticulously folded. My driver is always professional and picks up and drops off each week. I never have to do laundry again!
Linda F
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Wonderful alterations done quickly at a very fair price.
David H
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Amazing business and it shows. 10/10 service.
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