How To Clean Mold Off Tatami Mats? A Complete Guide

Mold may be the most tiring problem you have to face when having a tatami mat.

In this article, we will show you how to clean mold off tatami mats.

Because they are placed directly on the ground, it is very important for you to take care of and use the right cleaning method.

Moreover, we also have some tips to help you to fight these bad factors.

Let’s scroll down!

Related:

How To Remove Mold From Tatami?

If mold appears on the surface, the easiest way is to spray it with an alcohol-based anti-bacterial spray and wipe it dry with a soft cloth.

It is important to note that mold products for bathrooms or kitchens are too strong for tatami, so do not use them.

Before you start cleaning, take some time to check the mat:

Basic parts (Source: livinginjapan)

Toko: The tatami’s core is made up of a sheet-shaped area. People usually build out of straw. A wide range of core materials is still used nowadays.
Omote: Like a mat, this covers the flooring’s surface. In most cases, the makers use a rush plant called igusa. Nowadays, we can also find the omote made of Japanese paper and polypropylene on the market.

Heri: This is the part with the sewn-on cloth strips that keep the omote in place.
No-me: These are the omote’s grain weaving.

Obviously, if mold is growing on your tatami, you should try to get rid of it as soon as possible before the problem gets worse.

Besides the spray, a Japanese friend told us that scrubbing it with ethanol and a little toothbrush is also an ideal way for removing mold.

Mold can grow quickly in an apartment that is not well ventilated, especially during the rainy season and humid summer months.

To improve the airflow in your home, remember to open-air vents, leave windows slightly open, and use a fan.

Things to note:

Clean in the right direction: You may harm the mat if you go against it the wrong way. Whatever cleaning method you use, make sure to follow each nome one by one.
You should avoid moisture at all costs: If It becomes wet, mold can grow and also fleas. Wipe it using a dry cloth instead of a wet one.

Use only non-adhesive carpet cleaners: The surface of the mat can become torn and fluffy if you use strong cleaners.
No baking soda: Your flooring may change color or fade if you use baking soda. Its stains are impossible to remove. It is better to pick citric acid or vinegar.

Some cautions: (110) Cautions in the Use of Tatami Mats

How To Prevent Mold In Your House?

During the hot summers, the best way to clean mold off tatami mats is to prevent it from forming in the first place, which is not as simple as it may look.

However, with these 4 tips, we will do our best to give you a mold-free summer.

Congratulations, if you live in an apartment or house that faces the sun directly, you will be living an easy life in the summer.

Direct sunshine is something that mold naturally hates since it kills them.

1 – Direct sunlight

You will want to do all of your laundry during long periods of sunlight if at all possible. You should do your laundry between the hours of 9 and 12 in the morning on a clear day.

Summers in Japan can be quite hot, and with direct sunlight, you are likely to be able to dry most of your things in this period.

If the weather stays sunny and your clothing is dry, you will bring them inside, fold them, and store them. If you leave them out, the fabric may collect moisture, allowing mold to form and spread when you bring the items in later.

Leave direct sunlight contact with the mats (Source: ADFwebmagazine)

2 – Dehumidifier

Turning on an air conditioner and leaving it on all day is too good, but for most of us, it is not a financial solution. You also run the risk of wearing out the filter, which is something you will not want to do in the heat of summer.

There are many different sorts of dehumidifiers, but the most basic, and most effective, is a tiny box that you open and place in your closet next to your bed, in the kitchen, and so on.

If you want to buy an electric one, they are available at most electrical appliance stores and online, but they are expensive.

3 – Silica gel packs

Remember those little bags of ‘do not eat’ crystals that came in the shoe box when you bought a pair of shoes? They are silica gel packs.

They absorb moisture to keep things dry in the same way that non-electric dehumidifiers do.

Put a packet in each pair of closets where you store clothes, linen cupboards, or in the pocket of your suit while it’s hanging—side note.

Dehumidifiers should be kept near any leather items.

4 – Vacuuming the tatami mats frequently and keeping good airflow

Mold likes tatami grass as much as the Japanese people do, thus this can be an issue during the rainy season. Vacuum your tatami room on a daily basis to prevent mold from spreading like wildfire.

If you can’t, at the very least try to clean and vacuum it during the weekend.

Also, where possible, leave the windows open to allow as much natural light into the room as possible.

You will be able to stop the mold in Japan if you do this.

The room will become hot as a result of this, so use fans and the air conditioner as needed. Also, by opening doors and windows, try to make space for natural air to flow through.

Daily Cleaning

Daily cleaning is also a way to clean mold off tatami mats, especially during wet seasons.

After sweeping with a broom or vacuuming once a week, wipe with a dry cloth.

If you are short on time, use a dry-type flooring wiper to clean in accordance with it.

1 – Sweep the floor with a broom

For cleaning, a “broom” is better than a vacuum cleaner because it is more sensitive. Wipe the dust away in the direction of the grain weaving.

Once the dust has been removed, dry wipe it with a dust cloth.

The tatami will be polished and shiny as a result of this. If you rub too hard, you risk harming the floor, so be gentle.

2 – Use a vacuum cleaner

You will take up more dust with a vacuum cleaner if you move it slowly down the mat rather than pushing and pulling it back strongly. Each sheet should take about a minute to complete.

You may also damage the flooring if you use the vacuum cleaner with the same push as you would on wooden floors. Stop the rotation of the head brush or select “weak” mode.

It is very easy to break, therefore float the vacuum cleaner head a little. Furthermore, robot cleaners will ignore the thick ones, so avoid using them.

Dry-wipe the mat with a dust cloth after using the vacuum cleaner.

How To Clean Mold Off Tatami Mats?: Frequently Asked Questions

1 – How Often Should Tatami Be Replaced?

In fact, they must be replaced after turning yellow color and have a bad smell.

After a few years of use, they are normally flipped over, but even the best ones will need to be replaced in less than a decade or ten years.

2 – Why Does My Tatami Mat Smell?

Traditionally, Japanese people make these mats and rugs from igusa, a grass plant.

They usually smell strongly like grass when you first get them, but it will fade gradually as you use.

3 – Can You Wash A Tatami Mat?

It is recommended that you should use a dry cloth to clean along the grain.

On the other hand, if you get stains or dirt, a little ethanol may help.

If you wash your mat with too much water, it will absorb water and cause the mold to grow. Moreover, it also harms your flooring.

4 – Are Tatami Mats Toxic?

If you buy products from authentic and reliable stores, you do not need to worry since they are made from all-natural materials.

You should check the label and manufacturer’s information before purchasing, some brands use chemical treatments to keep their products last longer, which can contain toxic.

5 – How Long Do Tatami Mats Last?

They are natural products that, if you take proper care, can survive for years.

But those care can be difficult and costly. You may replace the cover every four to five years, and the entire mat every 10 to 15 years.

Conclusion

Tatami has been used in Japanese homes for a long time and is one of the most popular items of Japanese culture. Many homes now have flooring and rooms designed in the Western style, but some people still like to sleep on tatami mats.

At first glance, it can be hard to storing and cleaning process, but it is easier if you keep the basics in mind.

In summary, there are many ways on how to clean mold off tatami mats. If you do not have time, a cleaner spray is the best option.

However, it is better if you scrub it carefully later. We hope you can find the information in this article helpful.

Further Reading:

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Tags: #Mold #Lamps #Table #Yakitori #Zafu #dinner #sitonfloor #Umbrella #FloorLamp

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