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...
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Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
Step by step for a great cause!
Our amazing Hillary Hikers from Edmund Hillary Village showed their support for Bowel Cancer New Zealand's Move Your Butt campaign this month!
Sporting the bright purple and orange campaign shirts, these wonderful walkers hit the Auckland waterfront and marched from Mission Bay to Kohimarama, raising awareness for bowel cancer and the importance of early detection along the way.
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