Ask The Experts: Removing mold from a work of art

12/30/2020 (Permalink)

Many artists know very well that accidents can happen at any time, such as a careless brush stroke or knocked over paint palate. Unfortunately, some accidents are larger than others. An unexpected flood in your studio can force you to partake in some very necessary mold cleaning. Follow the steps below if your house in has recently experienced a flood that resulted in some moldy paintings.

1. Dry Any Remaining Moisture.
It's natural to want to remove the mold as quickly as possible. The best way to protect the painting is to prevent the mold from spreading any more than it already has. Do this by setting the painting out in direct sunlight to dry for a few hours.

2. Carefully Brush Away Dried Mold.
You must be very careful during this step to avoid brushing off the paint itself. Use a soft-bristled brush, such as a sawdust brush to carefully sweep away the dried bits of mold.

3. Create a Cleaning Solution.
Fill a spray bottle with clean water and add a few drops of bleach. It doesn't take a lot of bleach to erase the mold damage. Mist the painting where the mold was located on both sides of the canvas. It's important to note that this cleaning solution should only be used on canvas oil paintings. Acrylic and watercolor paints are water-soluble, and using this type of cleaning solution is likely to wash away the painting.

4. Dry the Painting Again.
Hang the painting on a rack to allow the mold cleaning solution to dry completely. You can place the canvas back into direct sunlight if you wish to speed up this process.
Mold cleaning is typically a tough job that you would tackle aggressively. However, this is not the case when you wish to preserve your precious paintings. The above technique should help you eliminate any mold growing on your canvas oil paintings without damaging the artwork itself. Remember to contact mold remediation experts for assistance with any unwanted mold growth.