We’re back after the long weekend with another post! Hopefully you got your much needed break from the holidays.
Today we’re gonna touch on a moldy topic – mildew.
Chances are, most of you reading this have wall photo frames in your homes. If you take a look at your older ones, you might notice these nasty growths behind them. What in the world is that?
It’s probably mildew. Believe it or not, they’re actually quite common especially in Singapore where it is extremely humid.
What Is Mildew?
Source: RanchoMesaRentals
Mildew is a specific type of mold. It thrives in warm and moist environments typically growing on organic or plant-based objects such as wood. Unlike the mold we know that grows on food, mildew has a flat growth that remains only on the surface. This makes it much easier to remove.
Getting Rid Of Mildew On Photo Frames
We’re not gonna lie; they look gross and you may be tempted to just chuck your wall photo frames in the bin. But stop right there! They’re relatively easy to get rid of.
Source: RedMart
Washing soda is your saviour! You can easily find it on RedMart. You should dissolve the washing soda in water – about 2.5 tablespoons for a litre of water. Don’t use too much of it. You want the solution to be a mild alkali.
Source: RedMart
Or if you happen to have distilled white vinegar lying around, you can make use of that. Vinegar helps in deodorising the smell of mildew.
Wipe down your wall photo frame with the vinegar or the washing soda solution gently, using a soft cloth to get the mildew off. Following that, wipe it down again with water and allow the frame to dry thoroughly before using it again. Repeat the steps as needed.
Getting Rid Of Mildew On Acrylic
There’s a chance mildew may grow on the acrylics of your wall photo frames. If it does, you can clean it using the same way as the frame. One way to prevent mildew from growing on your acrylics is by cleaning it with an acrylic cleaner using a soft cloth. You might want to do so before framing up your precious print in that frame.
Getting rid of mildew on Matboards
Some people love having matboards in their wall photo frames. Mildew can grow on it and when it does, it can get tricky. Often times, trying to remove it will leave an even bigger stain. If it happens, we recommend that you replace your matboard with a new one.
Preventing Mildew Growth
These 4 simple steps will help fight mildew before it appears.
- Keep your area and objects clean. Anything that is greasy or acidic will make it more likely for mildew to grow.
- Get rid of excess moisture in the air using dehumidifiers. Humid conditions create the perfect environment for mildew to grow in.
- Allow for good airflow in your homes. Open up your doors and windows, This is a simple way to ensure that moisture does not accumulate.
- Silica gel! They’re great for absorbing moisture in the air. Just be sure to keep them out of your children/ pets’ reach.
As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure so you might want to adopt some of these steps early.
That being said, you shouldn’t be too worried about the growth of mildew on your wall photo frames. So long as you follow this guide, you should be good.
We hope this blog’s been helpful. Check out our previous posts, Caring For Your Canvas Photo Prints & Your Favourite Moments On Wall Photo Frames.
Till the next one, cheers!
You must be logged in to post a comment.