Nothing is more relaxing than going outside and spending the night under the stars. Whether you’re camping with your loved ones or alone, you can guarantee that you’ll love every minute of it. However, you’ll want to make sure that everything is perfect. Otherwise, a simple planning mistake could turn your camping trip into a nightmare. You may want to bring your camping chairs so you can sit comfortably by the fire. If you haven’t used your chairs since last season, they might’ve developed mold.
Thankfully, it is easy to remove mold from camping chairs. In most cases, you should be able to wipe off the mold using soap and water. However, it depends on the material of the chair. Try using the advice below to ensure that your camping chairs are clean and free of mold for your next camping trip.
What Is Mold?
Mold is a natural fungus that can grow on many surfaces. Hyphae cause mold spores that can lead to the development of mold inside and out. Large amounts of mold can be problematic since it could cause wheezing, coughing, watery eyes, and a running nose. However, you can usually remove the mold before it leads to these issues. Some people are sensitive to mold so they’ll experience a severe reaction.
What Causes Mold?
Mold is primarily caused by moisture. In a home, it is common for mold to develop when there is a leak or humidity issue. If the moisture is higher than normal, you’re likely going to experience mold growth. However, items left outside will be more likely to develop mold because these items are exposed to the elements. Since your items are sitting outside, they’re going to experience high moisture due to rain and fog. Many people leave their camping chairs outside on the porch until they’re ready for another trip.
Alternatively, you might’ve left them in the wooded section of your backyard where you regularly set up your tent. Suffice to say, there is a high risk that mold is going to develop on your camping chairs. If this happens, you need to remove the mold immediately. Several methods can be used to safely remove mold from chairs.
Protect Yourself
When you try to remove mold from camping chairs, you need to protect yourself. Since you’re going to be using various chemicals, you should use gloves. You’ll also want to avoid breathing in the mold spores during the cleaning process. Using a mold respirator mask is highly recommended. Use an N95 respirator to keep the mold spores out.
How To Clean Camping Chairs
Have you found mold on your camping chairs? Unfortunately, mold can be dangerous. It could be hazardous to your health. Therefore, you should find an efficient, safe way to get rid of the mold. The best method typically depends on the material that you’re trying to clean. If you’re cleaning metal chair legs, it’ll be easy to remove the mold. However, the fabric can be much harder to clean.
Therefore, you have to pick the best method for the material that you’re cleaning. Rely on the information below for the best results.
Easily Cleaning Metal Or Aluminum Legs
Most camping chairs have metal or aluminum legs. These materials are light so you can carry them to the campsite without breaking your back. The material is durable and shouldn’t rust when protected by resistant paint. Regardless, it is common for mold to develop on aluminum and metal. If the chairs have been left outside for an extended period, mold will likely develop on the material. Thankfully, metal and aluminum are incredibly easy to clean.
Typically, the material can be efficiently cleaned using soap and water. It is wise to use a rag that you’re going to throw away once you’ve finished. The mold will move to the rag so you don’t want to keep it. You can also use paper towels. Don’t use a rag that you’d like to keep later. You can also find chemical sprays designed to remove mold. Many of these products can help remove mold from metal, aluminum, and other materials.
Removing Mold From The Fabric
Your camping chairs may have multiple materials. The legs are likely metal or aluminum. As for the seating part, it is likely made of fabric. Unfortunately, the fabric material is going to be much harder to clean. If mold has developed on the fabric, you’ll have to take extra steps to properly clean it. While there are other ways to remove mold from the fabric, you have to be careful to avoid damaging it. It might be a good idea to use white distilled vinegar because it is an effective mold killer.
You can work the vinegar into the stain to remove it. Alternatively, you can let the fabric soak in white distilled vinegar before cleaning it. If the material can be detached, you can always watch the fabric in the washing machine. When doing so, be sure to add a cup or two of white distilled vinegar to remove the stain and odor.
If you don’t have white distilled vinegar, you can try using oxygen bleach or liquid detergent. These cleaning solutions should work well for the intended purpose. Use a brush to scrub the stain and remove it. Try scrubbing with the brush for 15 minutes or longer. Once you’ve done this, you’ll have to give the fabric plenty of time to dry. Let the chair dry in the sun.
Using Sunlight To Remove The Mold
While the aforementioned methods work well, you may be looking for something easier. Surprisingly, you should be able to remove the mold without using cleaning chemicals. You can likely weaken the mold by using the sun to your advantage. Remember that mold is caused by excess moisture. If you can remove the moisture from the chair, it might be easier to eliminate the mold. Before you begin scrubbing the mold, you should let the chair sit in the sun.
Unfold the chair and place it in direct sunlight. The direct sunlight will release UV light. Ultimately, this type of light is helpful because it is an effective sanitizing agent. The sunlight will eliminate bacteria and germs. After the chair has dried in the sun for 4 to 6 hours, begin scrubbing the stain. You might be able to use this method to clean your chair without having to purchase any cleaning materials.
Steam Cleaning The Chair
If you haven’t been able to remove the stain yet, you should try using a steam cleaner. Steam cleaners are very effective for this purpose because they use low-moisture vapor to remove stains from various materials. The steamer will heat water beyond the boiling point. Then, the low-moisture vapor will be released from the nozzle. As this happens, the hot vapor will loosen any dirt and debris deep within the material or fabric. It’ll also eliminate bacteria.
Since you’re using high-heat moisture, you can guarantee that the material will dry swiftly. Regardless, the steam cleaner is going to eliminate more than 99% of all bacteria and germs. Using a steam cleaner is a great way to eliminate the mold stain without needing to remove the fabric. While you could rent a commercial steam cleaner, it is easier to use a handheld model.
When you begin using a steam cleaner, be sure to work slowly. Make sure that every inch of the fabric is precisely cleaned.
Removing The Mold With Alcohol
Ultimately, countless methods can be used to eliminate mold from camping chairs. You may need to experiment to find out which method is going to work best for you. Alcohol is a good option because it works well and won’t damage the chair. You’ll also appreciate that you can access alcohol easily. To remove a mold stain using alcohol, you’ll need several items, including a bottle of alcohol, a spray bottle, a brush, and a rag. Once you’ve purchased these items, you need to add alcohol to the spray bottle. Be sure to add equal parts alcohol and water.
You need to mix enough to ensure that you can clean the entire chair. After that, you should experiment with the solution. Spray the alcohol on a small spot of the fabric to ensure it doesn’t cause the color to fade. If the color doesn’t fade, you can use the mixture to remove the mold stain. Spray the alcohol on the mold stains and let it sit for a minute. Don’t scrub until the alcohol has dried. Place the chairs in the sun and allow the material to dry for three or four hours. In many cases, the alcohol will strip the mold from the material.
If this doesn’t work, you may need to scrub the material too. Use the brush to get deep into the fabric for the best results.
Summary
Camping chairs are an essential part of spending time outdoors. While a camping chair is not essential, your tush may think otherwise. Most state and federal parks are equipped with picnic tables and nothing more. The limited seating could create some issues for parties of six or more. Like most camping gear, chairs come with a hefty price tag. This is especially true for popular brands, which makes proper maintenance even more important. Protect one of your most important camping assets by heeding the tips provided above.
My name is Eugene Thornhill. I'm an outdoor enthusiast who loves nothing more than being one with nature. I've lived in numerous outdoor homes and even constructed my own. Living off-grid is something I'm very familiar with, more so than living in the city. For many years I've dealt with the many problems of living off-grid. It's time to pass on my knowledge through Cabinguides.