Mould and mildew on fabrics
Mould and mildew on curtains and upholstery is unsightly, unhealthy, gives off a musty smell and has the potential to stain or eat into fabric. It’s a greedy little fungus that likes to feed on the dust or dirt on your fabrics, or even on the fabrics itself.
Organic fibres are gourmet fare for mildew. This includes animal (protein) fibres such as wool or silk, or plant (cellulose) fibres like cotton, linen or rayon – although man-made fibres are not immune either; all it takes is some dust to gather in the folds of your curtains or creases in your couch, and mildew quickly moves in. Areas near the kitchen are particularly at risk – cooking grease released into the air settles on your soft furnishings, attracting damp and dust, and providing mildew with a tasty snack.
When choosing fabric for your home, you can select a type that resists mildew better than others, such as polyester or viscose. If you love the natural look, there’s no need to give it up – modern blends of man-made fibres can be woven to mimic the look and feel of natural fabric. We offer sheers such as Sierra which are 100% polyester but look like linen, or faux silk like Majestic Silk.
Mildew loves something easy to stick to – a smooth, shiny fabric like Xavier is harder for it to establish itself on, and a good choice if you find that mildew is a problem in your home. You could also try a water repellent fabric such as our upholstery fabrics Sebastian and Palazzo. These are less likely to get damp and encourage mildew growth.
Prevention is the best cure.
Read more at: www.charlesparsonsinteriors.com...
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Riddle Me This: Can You Out-Smart Yesterday’s Champ?
How can the number four be half of five?
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Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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84.4% Yes
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14% No
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1.6% Other - I'll share below