How to remove mould from cane chairs?

Question

These chairs x6  were in our outside undercover area over winter and now sadly have suffered mould damage. The photos don’t show it but some of the chairs have quite a lot of mould. I had sprayed all the chairs with vinegar and dried outside. I was unable to remove the mould discolouration so have started spray painting one, however on further thought I’m concerned the mould may still be in inside areas of the weaving. Is it possible to salvage these so I can feel comfortable all the mould has been moved before spray painting to improve the look? Thanks.

MitchellMc · Answer

Thanks for sharing your process @curiousblackswan. It sounds like your chairs were certainly put through their paces and came up well. I trust @Aleishacorr appreciates your first-hand experience.

Many thanks for sharing your experience and detailed process.

Mitchell

curiousblackswan · Answer

@aleishacorr and @mitchellmc

Aleisha, you are on easy street. 100% can be saved.  Mine literally looked as though they had been living in a swamp for 50 years!  I must admit, I use a lot of vinegar with cleaning and white vinegar will kill mould spores, but I think Mitchell mentioned the need to neutralise it afterwards or it will take the job a little bit too enthusiastically and you'll end up with holes.   But steps for mine:-

* vacuum first, I actually used also my McCulloch MC385 on low steam because I also wanted to strip the gloss varnish they had on the cane
* Then vinegar 50/50 solution, using a paint brush and little rippa paint roller. Let them revel in the salad dressing for 30 minutes and then 
* set them up in a dust free room and blasted them with the dynabreeze extraction fan for a good 24 hours.  Because if there is any moisture, any finish you want to achieve will fail and also you won't have killed off the mould spores (if you think there are any).
* then I sprayed Bondall Teak Monocel Gold Marine Grade Stain And Varnish in clear gloss (Even though everyone says gloss shows the dirt, I love shiny things….even did some walls in my house in high gloss black and no ceiling flat white for me, high gloss….imperfect, like me!  I have a HVLP Wagner Flexio which I find great but it does come in an aerosol can too. Depends what you are used to.

All of this you can get from Bunnings BTW. And I wouldn't buy a giant McCulloch just for this project, but if you have other things coming up, cleaning mattresses etc, def worth the "investment".  I'll try dig up some photos.  Happy reinventing your chairs :-)

*

MitchellMc · Answer

Hi @Aleishacorr,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Aleishacorr . It is wonderful to have you with us.

I think these chairs are certainly worth trying to save. The important part is ensuring your vinegar solution makes contact with all the mould-affected areas, including getting well into the gaps in the weave. You don't necessarily need to physically scrub away every visible trace of mould for the treatment to be effective, as the vinegar will kill mould it comes into contact with. Some staining and discolouration can remain afterwards.

I'd give the chairs a thorough vinegar treatment, working it into the weave with a stiff nylon brush or old toothbrush where accessible. Afterwards, spray them down with your garden hose using the jet setting. This should help dislodge and flush out mould and debris from areas you can't easily reach with the brush.

I'd then leave them outside to dry thoroughly for several days before painting. I'd recommend wearing gloves, safety glasses and a P2 mask while cleaning them.

Alternatively, you could look towards products such as

https://www.bunnings.com.au/flood-750ml-mould-action-pre-paint-treatment_p0035789

which are designed to be applied to mouldy surfaces prior to painting.

Let me tag @victoriacalhoun, @PetrinaG, @ang2, and @bridget4 who have all worked on their own wicker/rattan furniture projects.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell