Mold can grow on many things in your home, but it is especially common for mold to grow on window drapes. Mold will remove the color from fabric and make them look icky and ugly.
It is also a health hazard because of the mold spores that are released into your indoor air when you move these curtains occasionally.
In this guide, we will review some steps that you can take to clean mold from window curtains using some tried and true methods.
When molds are observed growing on drapes, this could indicate a moisture issue. If no roof leaks or visible water intrusions are present, then there is the possibility of a humidity issue within the home.
Whatever the cause of the moisture problem, it should be found and fixed.
Causes of mold growth on curtains and window treatments
Dealing with and trying to remove mold from window coverings can be a challenging task.
It is possible to remove mold from window drapes but you need the right supplies and preparation before starting to clean.
What are some of the reason for having mold on your curtains?
Before we go onto how to remove it, let’s first look into why there may be mold growing on your window treatments.
- Windows that don’t have enough ventilation; this can lead towards stagnant air where dampness or humidity thrives thus leading towards growing levels of molds
- Moisture condensation within rooms due to poor insulation.
- High humidity levels inside your home. Generally the relative humidity inside your home should be between 30- 50 percent. When humidity levels reaches 60 percent and higher, mold can begin to grow almost anywhere. Fabrics and leather goods are sometimes the first items that will be affected by mold growth.
- Installing drapes in moisture prone areas such as next to doors leading outdoors, fixtures and other areas can cause the drapes to get wet constantly which in turn promotes mold growth
Signs that you have mold growing on your curtains
- Your drapes will feel slightly damp to the touch.
- Stains that appear milky white in color or spots with yellowish hues.
- If you see any black fuzzy looking spots or staining.
- If your drapes are giving off a foul, earthy musty odor
- Allergic reactions when moving drapes can be a sign as well. Some individuals are more susceptible to mold and can display hay fever like symptoms once they inhale spores present within damp areas thus causing allergic reactions such as sneezing, watery eyes and more severe symptoms like difficulty breathing and coughing.
If you notice any of these, then it is possible that there might be mold growing on the surface of the fabric and in between layers of the drapery panels
It is important to remove the mold as soon as possible before it spreads and becomes a bigger problem that is more difficult to remove.
The longer your wait, the harder removal will be so don’t put off removing mold from drapes for another day!
Mold can cause permanent damage if not removed in a timely manner, which means when you notice an issue with your window coverings, take action and remove them ASAP.
If at all possible try not to touch or handle the fabric because oils on our fingers make everything stickier and harder to clean later.
Steps on How To Get Rid of Mold On Curtains at Home
You can remove small mold growth from window drapes by following a few simple steps.
1) Take down all your curtains to completely clean them thoroughly with soap and water
Or you can use natural cleaners such as baking soda paste (one cup baking soda mixed enough with just enough water to make a thick paste) or hydrogen peroxide to remove the mold.
2) After thoroughly scrubbing down your drapes, hang them up in direct sunlight for several hours
So that they can dry out completely before you put them back on display. It is important to remove all traces of moisture from draperies because mold loves moist environments and will grow like wildfire if given the opportunity!
Using natural cleaners such as baking soda paste or hydrogen peroxide are best because using anything with bleach could cause permanent damage to your window coverings.
Removing mold from window coverings
Below are the steps to remove mold from drapes and window dressings with less than 10 square feet of mold growth.
- Always follow the manufacturer’s cleaning and laundering instructions.
- For your safety, use a respirator such as an N95 to protect your nose and mouth from ingestion and inhalation. Also, put on some rubber gloves and safety glasses.
- Once the mold growth has been located, avoid disturbing the spores, since doing so will make them disperse into the air.
- Use a vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA vacuum filter to vacuum the molds from the drapes gently. Note, its best to use a brush attachment with the vacuum.
- When all the surface molds have been cleaned, remove the drapes and place them into a large contractor trash bag.
- Take the drapes and place them outside in the sun to dry out, preferably for 24 hours, if possible. The moisture buildup on the drapes needs to be removed.
- When the fabric is dry, vacuum the drapes while outside, then place them into a large contractor trash bag and have them laundered.
- If you have curtains or other window treatments that are contaminated with mold, remove and launder these items with detergent.
Note: Vapor Steam Cleaning is also an option to clean these items.
When to Call a Mold Removal Professional
A mold remediation contractor will be needed if the drapes are heavily infested by mold. In most cases, they will remove and discard the items.
This is mainly because it will be more costly to clean the units. Many people just opt to get new window treatments instead of spending hundreds of dollars treating the items.
This kind of job requires professionals who have the proper training and specialized equipment for this task. Its not recommended that you tackle this on your own as you could make the conditions worse and spread mold spores throughout the home without knowing it.
These professionals will remove the mold infested items using proper procedures and eliminate the possibility of impacting the indoor air in your home.
If you suspect that your drapes or window dressings have a mold growth, take the right steps to address the issue and don’t wait any longer.