How To Get Mold Out Of Dresser Drawers? Complete Step-by-Step Guide

One of the most difficult things you’ll have to learn is how to remove mold from dresser drawers and protect it from contaminating your clothing. Molds, after all, are fond of festering in things that have been preserved or buried.

Even though you may have set up your dressers in anticipation of this event, your intention is to simply keep them stocked with your personal stuff. There was a constant need for things like mothballs because of the presence of other critters that feed in the dark in close proximity.

Although prevention is always better than cure, in some circumstances, you may already have a drawer full of mold colonies when you realize that your furniture is even at risk of infection. For those of you who have been in this situation, we’ll provide you with all the information and resources you need for a successful recovery.

Is the mold growing on the backside of furniture near an exterior wall?

Poorly insulated outside walls and high internal humidity are to blame. Because modern 2×6 walls are so well-insulated, this form of mold development can only occur in homes with exceptionally high humidity. Even in relatively dry dwellings with weak or no insulation, this can occur.

My exterior walls are not insulated

Blowing in insulation into the walls is the best method, which should come as no surprise. For rebates and savings, check with your local utility company. In the absence of wall insulation, removing furniture from close proximity to the walls and improving ventilation and temperature can still be used to combat mold growth.

My exterior walls are well insulated

Reduce the indoor humidity as much as possible (around 50% in the winter). You can do this by increasing the amount of airflow in the room. Typically, the cheapest approach to accomplish this is to operate your bathroom exhaust fan 24 hours a day.

Is the mold growing on furniture in the middle of the room?

Extreme humidity (more than 70%) is to blame. Using your air conditioner to reduce humidity is necessary if you live in a hot and humid area. It is possible to reduce humidity in a cold climate by enhancing your ventilation and increasing the temperature.

To keep track of the RH, you’ll need to invest in a relative humidity gauge. Winter RH levels should be kept below 50%.

Example of Interior mold growth due to furniture placed too close to a poorly insulated exterior wall

Mold growing on the dresser’s back side.

Mold growth on painted table legs due to elevated humidity.

The collected dust on the painted surface is likely feeding the mold growth in this scenario. Rooms with high humidity levels are the only places where this kind of mold development happens.

Steps For Ridding Dresser Drawers of Molds

It’s possible that you’ve found mould on your clothing, or in more unfortunate circumstances, you’ve developed an allergic reaction to it. In any case, the following are the measures you must follow in order to get rid of them.

Step #1. Prep the dresser for cleaning

If you’ve already been diagnosed as allergic, put on PPE (gloves, mask, etc.) before beginning the cleaning. Remove everything from your drawer, and if it’s clothing, bag it up for the laundry.

Even if some of your clothes appear to be mold-free, you should still wash them altogether. In addition to checking the drawers in your dresser for mold, now is a good time to inspect the rest of your bedroom’s furnishings for mold.

To prevent mold recurrence, even if you don’t have any clothing in the drawer, you still need to thoroughly clean it. If you want to avoid spreading the mold throughout your room, either place other items in storage or cover them to keep them from becoming wet during the cleaning process.

Step #2. Vacuum the mold colonies

Vacuuming is the next step after removing all the molds from the drawers. If you don’t utilize the right vacuum, you run the risk of not being able to remove the molds at all.

A vacuum that is not powerful enough to handle a load of molds may likely release the molds when you wipe them away, which can result in their dispersal. As a result, it’s critical to use the right gear at all times.

Step #3. Scrub the drawer with detergent and bleach

To clean a dresser made of sturdy material, use a detergent solution and scrub the surface. For wood, if you’re not sure if it has been painted properly, you can simply spray the detergent solution on the surface.

After cleaning the interior and outside of your drawer, use a clean towel to wipe it all down. Let it sit there for around 5 to 10 minutes before using a 10 percent bleach solution with water to re-spray it onto the surface you’ve just cleansed.

You can repeat this process for each of the drawers you removed by wiping the bleach solution dry.

Step #4. Dry out the drawers

Having removed most of the mold, the drawers must be dried after bleaching. To prevent molds from returning, you must completely dry the surfaces you’ve just cleaned.

The best approach to dry the drawers is to place them in the sunlight. As a result, cleaning outside would be really beneficial.

After a two-hour soak in the sun, you’re ready to go.

Why mold is growing in your dresser

If mold spores have made their way inside your dresser, you can count on them to develop. Even if it receives enough moisture, these dresser drawers are so dark that no sunlight can get through.

If you keep damp or damp-looking items in your drawer, or if the drawer itself is naturally water-absorbent, moisture may seep inside. For this reason, you’ll want to make sure your home is mold-proof, and here’s how to prevent mold in a mobile home.

Because mold spores can be transported through the air, you should also carefully clean any clothing you intend to preserve to prevent the spread of mold.

What kills mold on wooden furniture?

Sunlight may naturally destroy molds. A mixture of vinegar, deionized water, and bleach can also be used to treat it, although careful application is usually the key to its success.

There are also commercial products that are specially formulated to kill molds. However, you need to be careful in using such products properly as some of them can contain toxic ingredients.

There are also commercial mold-killing products on the market. However, you must exercise caution when utilizing these items, as some of them may contain harmful substances.

How to Prevent Mildew in Drawers

1. It’s also possible to buy specialized mold-killing products commercially. As long as you use these goods properly, they can be a great help to you.
2. Items should be fully cleaned and dried before being stored in the drawers, according to Sew Green. To prevent mildew from forming in your drawers, it is necessary to maintain your contents clean and dry at all times.
3. Using gel desiccants, dry out the drawers. It’s unusual for gel desiccants to liquefy or produce condensed water vapor, although they eventually get saturated. To learn how long to leave the desiccants in the drawers before drying them out, consult the manufacturer’s instructions. To re-use the desiccants, simply heat them in an oven for a few hours at a time until they are completely dry.
4. As part of your usual household cleaning routine, remove everything from the drawers and spray the insides with a cleanser that contains bleach. The cleanser should be removed from the surfaces by wiping them with a paper towel. Spray a little mist of water on any areas that need to be rinsed, wipe them dry with a paper towel, and allow the drawers to dry completely before restocking and closing them.

Things You Will Need

• Liners for drawers
• Gel ice packs
• Bleach-based cleaning for the home
• a roll of paper towels
• A cannister of spray

FAQs

How do you get mold out of a dresser?

When dish soap doesn’t work, try distilled vinegar instead. Mold can be killed with distilled white vinegar. If dish soap is insufficient to eliminate the mold, add vinegar to a spray bottle. Vinegar should be sprayed all over the furnishings. A moist cloth can be used to wipe the surface after an hour of waiting.

What kills mold on wood?

Getting rid of mold on wood can be a difficult task. Dishwashing soap and warm water are all you need for a thorough cleaning. Mix one teaspoon of soap into a spray bottle of water. Using a nonabrasive spray and a soft-bristled brush, remove the mold while soaking up any remaining liquid.

Is it possible to get mold out of furniture?

1 cup bleach and 1/4 cup mild soap in a gallon of clean water is a good starting point. Apply to the entire surface and let sit for 15 minutes. A sponge, a clean towel, or a very soft bristle brush can be used to remove the stain. Remove any soap residue by vigorously rinsing.

Why is mold growing in my dresser?

A combination of high humidity and poorly-insulated outside walls is the most common cause of mold on furniture. Condensation can happen if a dresser is placed too close to an exterior wall. Mold thrives in moist, humid environments, which is what happens when water condenses on surfaces.

What kills mold better bleach or vinegar?

If you’re trying to get rid of mold, vinegar works much better than bleach. When using bleach to kill or eradicate mold, the EPA only recommends doing so under very specific situations. Even when bleach is used, there will still be “a low quantity of mold spores” in the air.

What kills mold instantly?

A solution of diluted bleach is the most efficient method for removing mold from walls and floors in this situation. Add one cup of bleach to a gallon of warm water in a bucket to make the solution. Then, using a stiff-bristled brush dipped in the bleach solution, clean the mold thoroughly.

Does baking soda and vinegar clean mold?

As well as eliminating mold, baking soda also deodorizes, making it an excellent choice for removing mold’s stink from your home. The moisture-absorbing properties of baking soda also make it an effective mold-prevention tool. As far as if vinegar destroys mold, the answer is yes. Vinegar is a weak acid that is effective against 82% of all molds.

Can you sand mold off wood?

It’s possible that it’s counterintuitive, but it’s true. In order to get to the mold, you’ll have to use sandpaper. Slowly work the sandpaper around the mold-affected region until you no longer see any evidence of it there. Refinishing the wood after sanding is an excellent idea not just for aesthetic reasons, but also to avoid another outbreak.

What removes mold from fabric?

Joyce recommends using bleach to eliminate mold and mildew from white cotton garments. Launder the item as normal after applying a solution of one part bleach to three parts water on the stain.

How do you keep wooden furniture from getting moldy?

Keeping the wood surface dry is the best approach to prevent mold from forming on it. To accomplish this, you’ll need to quickly dry any parts that have become damp. Controlling your home’s humidity and moisture levels is also essential – keep humidity levels below 60%. (6).

What is the difference between mold and mildew?

Clothing, leather, paper, and the ceiling, walls and floors of homes with moisture management issues are all good places for mold to grow. Shower walls, windowsills, and other high-moisture areas are common breeding grounds for mildew.

Why is my wooden furniture going Mouldy?

Because wood furniture soaks up and holds onto moisture like a sponge, mold and mildew thrive in it. Moisture and a narrow range of temperatures are required for the growth of molds that cause mildew. They thrive in hot, muggy climates, and are frequently seen in unventilated homes.

How do I get rid of mold in my bedroom?

To remove mould from walls, what are some effective methods? Bleach and water are a one-to-four ratio. Douse the afflicted area with the solution. Use a brush to remove the mould. Dry the area after wiping it down with a moist cloth.

How do I stop mold in my bedroom?

Mold thrives on moisture, and there are a number of ways to keep it at bay. Get to know your home and fix the things that aren’t working. Dry any wet areas as soon as possible. Proper Ventilation Is Essential To Preventing Moisture. Invest in Mold-Resistant Supplies for Your Residence. Keep an eye on the relative humidity in your home. Avoid flooding your home by directing water away from it.

Can I leave vinegar on mold overnight?

In order to get rid of black mold, vinegar should be applied on nonporous surfaces, such as wood or concrete. It can also be used to destroy black mold, a type of mold that is typically seen in areas that have been affected by water. The moldy surface should be sprayed with vinegar and left for an hour. After that, simply use water to clean the area and let it air dry.

How do you get rid of mold without scrubbing?

How Do You Use Vinegar to Clean Mold? Add full-strength white distilled vinegar to a spray bottle and spray it on the mold. Let it sit for at least an hour before wiping away mold. If you need follow-up scrubbing, combine one teaspoon baking soda with two cups of water.

Does white vinegar remove mold?

How Can Vinegar Be Used to Remove Mold? Using a spray bottle, fill it with full-strength white distilled vinegar and apply it to the mold. Allow the mold to grow for at least an hour before attempting to clean it up. Scrub again with one teaspoon baking soda and two cups of water, if necessary.

Conclusion

Now that we’ve shown how to get mold out of dresser drawers, you are more than ready to make a big room makeover. Just note that molds live in a way, and if you cut off their resources by regularly maintaining and cleaning your place, you should never have to see their kind again.

It is time for a major room makeover now that you have learned how to remove mold from dresser drawers. Just remember that molds exist in a way, and if you cut off their resources by routinely maintaining and cleaning your area, you should never have to see their type again.