Summer homes or other vacation homes often have a problem with musty odors and mildew growth on furniture. This is also a problem in cases of floods or leaks. Year-round homes with poor ventilation and high humidity or dampness from other sources, and/or outdoor and pool furniture often have mold problems as well.

Moisture is the culprit in any and all cases of mold, which is a type of fungus also sometimes called mildew. Warmth, moisture and organic material are all this fungus needs to grow and thrive and spread. Since furniture is often made of organic materials such as wood, wool, cotton, other fibrous upholstery fabrics or leather, if it gets wet, it becomes the perfect environment for fungal growth, especially because fabric absorbs moisture and is usually hard to completely dry.

So what should you do if your furniture and upholstery gets wet or has been exposed to or has absorbed excess moisture?

1. Dry it as quickly and as thoroughly as possible.
2. Use fans and other drying methods to speed up the process . . .but be very careful with space heaters.
3. Air conditioning can help because it tends to dry the air.
4. Moisture absorbers are very helpful because they pull excess moisture out of the air and any items in the room.

If you begin to notice dampness, a musty odor or visible signs of fungal growth on your furniture, take action quickly.You can test for the presence of mold on your furniture, and if you find it present, you can take steps to clean any mildew stains, remove musty odors, and kill the mold itself with an appropriate EPA-registered fungicide.

Before taking these steps, read these directions for How To Remove Mold From Furniture and Upholstery and take all necessary precautions including personal protective gear so that you don't inhale spores or allow the fungi to touch your skin or get in your lungs or eyes.