New wicker/rattan sofa on screened porch. Mold has developed. HELP!

Question

The sofa is not near screen, but with all the rain we have had lots of moisture. I need advice please. I tried bleach and water.

Janet Pizaro · Answer

The bleach and water should have done the trick. Did you leave the formula on long enough? Try using a 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and water and leave on for a while then take a small brush to maybe aid in the mold removal.If none of this works I would reach out to the manufacturer.

Susan Dye · Answer

Dawn dish washing detergent, the standard blue kind, is the best thing to actually kill the mold. Just add some to water and wash thoroughly. If there is still a lot of moisture in the air, I would use a hair dryer to dry it after the wash.

Marianna · Answer

I was going to suggest the same thing as Janet, if that doesn't work, I have used OdoBan . Just spray, brush and wipe :) It has worked for us, I hope it does for you.

The Garden Frog with C Renee · Answer

I would look into outdoor bleach which is stronger and made to clean mold and mildew on decks and houses. Or try your deck wash if it works on your deck.

MN Mom · Answer

Sonya you could try Clorox wipes with the textured scrubbing side. Maybe the combination of the bleach and texture might help? Also, I have found a combination of equal parts blue Dawn dish soap and white vinegar is a wonderful solution for mildew removal in a shower stall...maybe that would help you out. Mix half and half in a spray bottle and spray it on, let it sit and rinse with clear water

Ski981228 · Answer

A solution of 50% vinegar and 50% water in a spray bottle. Spray until just damp and leave to dry over night. Then use a little soap and water to wash residual mold stain. The vinegar will kill the mold and the smell and prevent new mold from appearing. I use it all the time here in East Texas with high humidity all the time. It will not harm the surface like bleach.

Sandie · Answer

Unless the mold is completely removed it will only grow back.  I put straight bleach n spray bottle.  If furniture is real wood you will need to rinse and dry completely so as not to ruin the wood.

Taffetal · Answer

I read somewhere that Tea Tree Oil is a mold killer . . . I never tried it myself.

Hope Williams · Answer

Hi Sonya.  If this is a new set, I would be burning up the phone calling the manufacturer!  It appears that a step in manufacturing was missed.  It should have been sprayed with a mold/mildew retardant.  I would do nothing until I had made contact with the manufacturer.  Also contact the place of purchase.  Skip all the sales people and go straight to store manager and get his help on making this purchase right.
But I caution you this:::: Do NOTHING until you have all parties on board and a resolution in place.  What ever you do prior has the ability to VOID any and all 'implied' warranties.  I can NOT STRESS do nothing enough.

Christina aka Queenopearls · Answer

DO NOT PUT VINEGAR OVER BLEACHED AREAS! SERIOUSLY, it produces toxic fumes! http://chemistry.about.com/od/toxicchemicals/a/Mixing-Bleach-And-Vinegar.htm That said, I like Hope's idea of contacting the seller and manufacturers.

Diane Blank · Answer

Use regular Oxiclean laundry stain remover granules, mix about 1 cup full with 2 gallons of warm water. Use a hand held stiff brush (Nylon, not metal) dip the brush into the oxiclean water solution and scrub. Make sure you have plenty of the solution on your brush. You will be amazed, the mold/mildew will melt off the furniture. Rinse well with a hose & let air dry. This will make a mess on your patio floor. You may consider moving the furniture outside unless you have mold/mildew on the floor, the it will also help to clean the floor. The Oxiclean solution should not damage your lawn, I use it to clean my gutters and soffits every year and it has never damaged any landscape or grass.. I live in Florida, the mold/mildew capital of the US. Good luck! Best solution I have ever tried and I have tried them all!

Mikkigirl · Answer

Mix 1 C clorox bleach with 1 gal. VERY hot water. Wear heavy duty rubber gloves and use a scrub brush to remove the mold. Rinse and let dry. You may want to finish it off with a wax or varnish sealer.

Billie · Answer

If the above suggestions don't work, you can try walmart boating section and find the mold and mildew cleaner there. It works better than bleach for me on the boat seats. If they don't have it there try a marine store. If you use this product or any of the other suggestions, I also suggest trying to move the sofa into the sun while cleaning it. If all else fails, maybe if you can clean the loose stuff off and you just have stains remaining, maybe try to spray paint over the stains and the rest of the sofa to seal it. Those sofas are usually pretty expensive. Good luck

LD · Answer

Here's an posting from Bob Villa (formally 'This Old House') for cleaning and taking care of wicker furniture. http://www.bobvila.com/articles/wicker-care/#.VpE9GaNOnMI

Colleen · Answer

I use straight Detol to remove fresh mold rubbing it of well. The mould has never returned on my lounge

Renata · Answer

I bought my camping trailer from a guy from Florida, It took me two 10 hr days to get all the mold off everything. I hosed it down w the pressure washer then took clorox water n a big squirt of dawn n scrubbed w a nylon brush. Then re pressure washed to rinse. I Amazed at how brand new it looks. Living in Oregon may b the reason it has never came back.

Updiane · Answer

I used clorax outdoor pro results bleach to do this on furniture @ a cottage. They have to stay outdoors year round. I brushed on diluted with a bit of water with a sponge brush. Let sit for awhile-a tad of scrubbing & back to life 😊

Nancy · Answer

I'm also in Florida and this past sommer, the heat and rain caused black mold to cover the bottoms of all the nice drop cloth drapes I made for the porch.  Washing in bleach didn't work, but we tried this Tilex mold & mildew remover.   Just sprayed as they hung....BINGO...mold all gone.  Awesome stuff....hope this helps!

Grandma jean · Answer

Get some Oxyclean laundry cleaner. I think I used 1 cup to a gallon of water. Lots of brands out there. Every big box store has their own brand. I have used it to scrub my wood deck of moss, my patio furniture of creepy green/black mold.

Sonya Van Sickle · Answer

I appreciate all the input. I opted to reach back out to retailer and he is taking this piece back. Thanks so much!

Polly Zieper · Answer

White vinegar and water might work

Colleen · Answer

Milton solution straight and scrub mold away on most surfaces. Milton's is a sterilization for baby bottles

Cyndi Neumann · Answer

I use ' Murphy's Oil' on my wicker chairs and tables Jean, It works wonders on so many things, just mix with water and wash it with a soaked rag or lightly brush. Blessings, Cyndi

New wicker/rattan sofa on screened porch. Mold has developed. HELP!

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New wicker/rattan sofa on screened porch. Mold has developed. HELP!

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