How to Clean Mildew on Bamboo

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Things You'll Need

  • Liquid detergent soap

  • Microfiber cloths

  • Bleach

  • Spray bottle

Clean moldy bamboo with soap and water.

When kept in shaded, humid conditions, bamboo furniture is susceptible to mildew growth. If possible, clean this mildew as soon as you spot it. Mildew may look benign, but it can cause allergic reactions and respiratory problems if present in high enough amounts. When left unchecked for an extended period of time, it can actually stain your bamboo. Luckily, mildew is a surface blemish and is not difficult to remove. All you need is a little liquid detergent soap and a sponge.

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Step 1

Wipe the bamboo clean of dust and debris with a microfiber cloth.

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Step 2

Soak a clean microfiber cloth in room-temperature soapy water and wring it out thoroughly.

Step 3

Scrub the entire surface of the bamboo clean, in the direction of the wood grain. Scrub any visible mildew until it disappears or you no longer make any progress in removing it.

Step 4

Rinse the bamboo with a clean microfiber cloth and clear water to remove any residual soap.

Step 5

Clean any remaining mildew stains with a bleach solution. Fill a spray bottle with a mild bleach solution: 3 tbsp. bleach mixed with 1 cup of water. Spray the mildew stains. Allow the bleach to sit on the stain for five minutes. Then scrub away the stain with a moist microfiber cloth, working in the direction of the bamboo's grain. Once the stain is gone, wipe the surface clean with a moist, clean microfiber cloth to remove any residual bleach.

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