Tag: mold

How to Remove Mold From Your Outdoor Furniture

Posted on Camille Smith
Photo courtesy of Summer Classics.

When you own outdoor furniture at your lake home, you can enjoy nature from the comfort of a plush cushion and a curved backrest. With the right chaise lounge, admiring your lakefront view from your boat dock and enjoying a spring breeze never gets old. However, as any lake homeowner knows, being immersed in nature requires taking a few necessary precautions, such as protecting yourself from nuisances like bugs, sunburns, and poison ivy. For outdoor furniture specifically, this means being vigilant about the presence of mold and mildew. 

While mildew is sometimes found on the furniture itself, mold often appears on cushions and the underside of umbrellas — not a treat for your guests. Because these sneaky fungi thrive in moist areas, furniture that is regularly exposed to rain will attract them. But at Lake Homes Realty, we refuse to let mold and mildew ruin anyone’s outdoor dining and lounging experiences — we’re here with tips on keeping your furniture clean and mold-free. 

Make the Right Solution

Photo courtesy of FamilyHandyman.com.

When deciding what kind of cleaning solution to use, the answer will depend on the type of furniture. For most furniture, a mixture of Lysol (or another soap solution) and hot water should do the trick. According to the luxury outdoor furniture manufacturing company, Summer Classics, metal, and aluminum furniture are easiest to clean. For wood furniture, the ideal formula that Summer Classics recommends is 1 cup ammonia, ½ cup white vinegar, and ¼ cup of baking soda into 1 gallon of water. These homemade solutions can help remove mildew that appears on furniture. There is a myriad of DIY solutions you can create — be sure never to mix bleach and ammonia.

For mold, which most often appears on cushions, a mild soap and water solution will clean most dyed fabrics. Candy Chase from Treasure Garden, an award-winning umbrella and shade product designer, and manufacturer, advises mixing ½ cup of bleach and ¼ cup of natural soap per gallon of water when cleaning umbrella fabric. After applying the solution, she notes that it’s essential to “allow the fabric to air dry and store in a dry, well-ventilated area.” She urges, “do not subject the fabric to extreme heat or it will shrink.”

Use a Pressure Washer

Photo courtesy of Jacuzzi Outdoor Living.

Especially for wicker furniture with lots of small crevices that are difficult to clean thoroughly, a pressure washer is an ideal tool. Jemma Lane from Arbor Living, a real estate company in the U.K., says that a pressure washer “should get most if not all of the mold and mildew off of the furniture.” After using the pressure washer, she recommends, “wipe the rest of it away with soapy water and a cloth and then use the pressure washer again to finish off.” Outdoor maintenance expert, Gena Lorainne recommends using a pressure washer as well. She advises, “make sure to spray it from all angles, so you can effectively remove all the mold, as it can spread again.”

Less Moisture, More Sunlight

Because mold and mildew tend to thrive in moist areas, create an environment for your outdoor furniture that prevents moisture from getting too settled. When you aren’t enjoying your furniture, be sure to move it out of the shade and lower your umbrella. Additionally, a positive flow of air is encouraged. If your furniture is sitting in an enclosed space, be sure to invest in a dehumidifier.

Invest in Good Products

Photo courtesy of Sunbrella.

One way to prevent mold and mildew from developing is by purchasing cushions that are specifically designed to withstand these pesky fungi. For example, Sunbrella is renowned for its high-quality marine grade cushions that are engineered to prevent the development of mold and mildew. They’re also easy to clean — a concept that gives way to “worry-free livability.” If you’re looking for an extra layer of protection, Candy Chase recommends protective covers and fabric protection products to stem the growth of mold or mildew. However, it’s important to keep in mind that waterproof covers don’t protect from mold and mildew because condensation can still develop beneath the cover. Instead, look for water-resistant, breathable fabrics.  

No matter your specific strategy for conquering mold, make sure to clean your outdoor furniture regularly. When you invest a little time upkeep, your furniture will be in a consistently clean state that’s always ready for guests to arrive! 

Winning the Fight Against Allergies at the Lake

Posted on Staff

woman outside sneezing into a tissue More than 50 million Americans suffer from allergies each year, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Most of these are from harmless outdoor plants. But good luck trying to tell your sinuses that!

If your allergies are keeping you indoors at your lake house, they can all but ruin your summer. Here are some helpful tips on making a battle plan to beat lake allergies.

 

Know your Enemy

The most common culprits for lake allergies are pollen, dust, mold, animal dander and chemicals, such as tobacco smoke. If you suffer from regular allergy attacks, consider talking to your doctor. You may be allergic to something you never even considered! Getting tested can do away with the guessing game, and help you get relief.

If you know what allergy medication works for you, start taking the medication at the start of the season. This way, the medication can build up in your system.

Treat severe allergy attacks as soon as they come on. You may want to tough it out, but a severe allergy attack can quickly turn into a full-blown sinus infection.

 

Have a Battle Plan

A little forethought will save you and your nose a great deal of heartache, or worse, nose-ache in your battle against lake allergies.

If you are planning a trip to the lake, and are sensitive to pollen or mold, check your local news to see the pollen and mold count. Be sure to pack your medication if the count is high, and limit your physical activity outdoors.

Here’s a little-known fact: synthetic fibers have a static charge that actually attracts pollen! Wearing natural fibers, such as cotton or wool, will actually give you a head start in beating pollen.

If your allergies are severe enough to require an epipen, be sure to pack it! Make sure you aren’t the only one who knows where it is and how to use it, too.

 

On the Homefront

Allergens can build up in a home, especially on the lake. A little cleaning can make your lake home a safe haven from pesky allergens.

Experts recommend changing out an air conditioner filter every six to 12 months for a vacation home, and every 90 days for a standard dwelling. Add a dog or cat into the mix, and you should change it every 60 days.

If you have water equipment, such as life preservers, try not to store them in the house, such as in a closet. Even if kept clean, these can be a source of mildew and mold. Keep water equipment in the garage or shed, and make sure they dry out completely before storing. Doing this can cut down on your lake allergies much more than you might think.

After you come inside, leave your shoes at the door to avoid tracking pollen and dust everywhere.

Wash and dry your linens, blankets and towels regularly. Curtains and other upholstery should be washed at least once a year, as well.

If you use a humidifier, be sure to clean it regularly so it doesn’t become a breeding ground for mold or bacteria.

More deep cleaning advice can be found here.

 

“We shall fight on the beaches…”

Allergies related to lake water itself are typically mild. Children, or those with sensitive skin, may be especially susceptible. These usually stem from an allergic reaction to algae or mold, and can often be avoided by quickly showering after a dip in the lake.

If someone experiences tingling, itching or burning of the skin after a swim, “swimmer’s itch” may be to blame. This is caused by contact with certain seasonal, microscopic parasites that can infest lake-dwelling wildlife, primarily snails.

Contact with these parasites irritates the skin, and can cause a rash, or even blisters. The rash typically pops up within hours or days of contact with the water.

Fortunately, there are no further health effects. Swimmer’s itch typically goes away on its own after roughly a week. Corticosteroid cream, cool compresses and other anti-itch creams can soothe the outbreak.

To reduce the risk of swimmer’s itch, avoid swimming in areas of the lake where it is a known problem, or where signs have been posted warning the water is unsafe. Avoid wading in areas with large numbers of snails, as well. Areas of the lake where swimmer’s itch occurs are not “off limits” forever, but should be avoided for at least a few weeks.

For more information on swimmer’s itch, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s webpage at https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/swimmersitch/faqs.html.