How to Handle Moldy Paintings and Artwork

12/7/2021 (Permalink)

Paintings are a staple of home decoration. When mold strikes your home, your paintings may become infested and risk mold damage if left alone. With proper mold cleaning, these cherished assets can be protected and treated.

Why Does Mold Loves Paintings?

Artwork is an ideal location for mold. It is often porous and is comprised of one the materials mold desires as a food source:

• Paper
• Wood
• Fiber textures like canvas
• Vinyl

If you have artwork susceptible to mold, it should be relocated away from water. This means it should be kept away from pipes, bathrooms, kitchens and sinks. If your home is too small or the painting is unable to be relocated, it should be inspected regularly for mold damage to treat the problem early.

Removing Mold Off Paintings

Great precaution is necessary with artwork and mold cleaning. The type of paint used should be evaluated initially. For example, oil paintings are durable but can be damaged by chemicals. Acrylic paintings can be damaged by moisture. Watercolors are extremely delicate and very sensitive to water.

As a typical mold remediation, surfaces like a frame, once removed, can be rubbed with a heavily diluted bleach solution and left to dry.

Light applications of a rubbing alcohol and water mixture can remove most mold from the actual artwork without the dangers of chemical cleaning agents like bleach. You should test this solution on a small location of the painting beforehand for potential damage to the artwork.

Experts Stand a Better Chance

As a warning, every painting is different and should be evaluated by a professional if you do not want to risk unnecessary damage. The expertise of a mold damage cleanup service in Saratoga Springs, NY, can be consulted for the best chance of painting preservation and recovery.

Treatment of the painting doesn’t have to be as expensive as a nice painting itself. Even if the painting isn’t expensive, it could be sentimental. Mold cleaning is capable of saving the painting regardless of why you keep it.