Couches, armchairs, dining chairs and outdoor cushions brought inside all soak up moisture. In a humid Florida home, especially one closed up for the summer or after a leak, mold can show up as spots on the fabric, a musty smell in the cushions, or growth on the frame underneath.
First, Check the Cleaning Code
Look for the tag under the cushions or on the frame. Upholstery is usually labeled with a cleaning code:
- W: water-based cleaners are okay
- S: solvent-based cleaners only, no water
- W/S: either one
- X: vacuum only; call a professional upholstery cleaner
How to Clean Light Mold on Upholstery
- Move the piece outside if possible. Wear gloves and a mask.
- HEPA vacuum the fabric, seams and under the cushions.
- For W or W/S fabric, dab spots with a mild upholstery cleaner or a little dish soap in water. For S fabric, use a solvent upholstery cleaner as directed. Don’t soak the cushions.
- Wash removable cushion covers if the label allows.
- Dry completely in the sun or with fans and the AC running.
Wood parts can be cleaned as described in how to remove mold from wood, and leather pieces in how to remove mold from leather.
When Furniture Can’t Be Saved
- It was soaked by flood water or a sewage backup
- The cushion foam inside is moldy or smells musty after cleaning
- Mold is spread across large areas of fabric
- The frame is particleboard that got wet and swelled
Valuable or antique pieces may be worth taking to a professional furniture restorer or upholstery cleaner before deciding.
Prevent It From Happening Again
- Keep the AC running and indoor humidity under about 60%
- Pull furniture a few inches away from exterior walls
- Dry spills right away, and don’t bring damp outdoor cushions inside
- If you’re leaving for the summer, follow our seasonal home checklist
If mold is showing up on several pieces of furniture at once, the room itself likely has a humidity or leak problem. See do humidifiers cause mold? and what a musty smell means in a Florida home.
Free Visual Inspection in South Florida
FL Cleanup offers a free visual inspection with moisture readings and an infrared (thermal) camera across South Florida to find out why mold is growing in the room, and handles licensed mold remediation when needed. We answer 24/7, and hablamos español. Call 877-224-2532 or request a free visual inspection online.
About the author: James Rice-Peña is the owner of FL Cleanup and a Florida-licensed Mold Assessor (MRSA4035) and Mold Remediator (MRSR4158). He has worked in property restoration in South Florida since 2012, and FL Cleanup has earned 200+ five-star Google reviews.
