How to Respond to Mould on Antique Furniture

Mould is a moisture warning, not merely dirt. Disturbing spores can create health risks and spread contamination, while wet cleaning may drive growth deeper.

Why the material is vulnerable

Wood, glue, upholstery, paper, leather and dust provide nutrients when humidity remains high. Some stains remain after growth becomes inactive.

What to inspect

• Locate leaks, condensation or damp walls.
• Assess extent and whether growth is active.
• Identify vulnerable paint and upholstery.
• Use suitable personal protection.
• Isolate from clean collections.

Photograph condition and identify every material before cleaning. Check hidden and protected areas; damage often begins at edges, fixings and interfaces between unlike materials.

Safe care

Correct moisture and improve safe airflow first. Small inactive deposits on robust surfaces may be removed with controlled HEPA-filtered suction by trained people; valuable or extensive objects need specialists.

Start with environmental correction and the least interventive method. Use clean barriers, soft tools and controlled suction only where the surface is stable. Stop if colour, flakes, fibres or corrosion products move.

Avoid

• Bleach on furniture.
• Dry brushing spores through a room.
• Sealing damp objects in plastic.
• Using strong heat.
• Returning furniture before the building is dry.

Monitoring and specialist help

Log humidity and inspect recurrence. Extensive growth, respiratory risk or sewage contamination requires professional remediation.

Seek a conservator for active flaking, mould, structural failure, rare materials, protected wildlife products or uncertain earlier treatments.

Sources

Follow the [Canadian Conservation Institute](https://www.canada.ca/en/conservation-institute.html), [National Park Service conservation guidance](https://www.nps.gov/museum/publications/conserveogram/cons_toc.html) and object research in the [V&A furniture collection](https://www.vam.ac.uk/collections/furniture).