How To Dry Water Damaged Furniture

Wet furniture can warp, rot, or even mold if you do not dry it quickly. However, drying water damaged furniture takes quick thinking, the right equipment, and a little know-how. Follow these steps to dry water damaged furniture. Plus, we look at what types of furniture are easiest to dry.

What Is the Best Way To Dry Water Damaged Furniture?

The best way to dry wet furniture is to get rid of the water as fast as possible. This will also keep the total cost of restoration down. Once the water is gone, you can start restoring your furniture. However, you should always consult a water restoration specialist for antique furniture.

1. Move It Somewhere Dry – Move water-soaked furniture out of the damaged area. A clean, dry garage is a great place for wet furniture. If you have to keep it inside, put down a tarp first to prevent water from dripping onto the floor.
2. Wipe Dry – Next, wipe solid furniture dry with a soft cloth. This will stop it from absorbing more water and help limit the damage.
3. Remove Dirt and Debris – Use a shop-style vacuum to remove dirt and other debris from the furniture. This will help suck up some of the water as well.
4. Dry It Thoroughly – The best way to dry wet furniture is with high-volume fans and dehumidifiers. Open the doors and drawers to help dry the inside faster. Tilt sofas and chairs back so you can dry the frame as well as the cushions.
5. Clean the Furniture – Once dry, clean your furniture thoroughly. For wood and solid items, use soap and warm water. For upholstered furniture, follow the cleaning instructions on the label.
6. Treat Against Smells – The best way to remove furniture smells is to air them out in the fresh air. However, you can also sprinkle on baking soda. Let it sit for a few hours or even overnight, then vacuum it up.
7. Disinfect Your Furniture – Add one cup of bleach to a gallon of water and wipe down solid furniture. For upholstery and fabric furniture, use a color-safe disinfectant.

How to Remove White Water Stains From Wood?

There are several ways to remove white water spots from wooden furniture. These white marks are very common after water damage but may also appear from general use. If your wood furniture has white water spots, follow these steps to help to repair them.

• Dry Iron – Use a dry iron on low to help evaporate water out of the wood. Put a towel or cloth down first to prevent damaging the wood.
• Oil and Vinegar – Shake equal parts of oil and vinegar, then use it to buff the wood. Work in the same direction as the wood grain to prevent scratches.
• Mayonnaise – It may sound weird, but spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on the stain. Leave it for a few hours or even overnight, then wipe it clean with a damp rag.
• White Toothpaste – If the mayo didn’t work, move on to plain white toothpaste. Apply with a damp cloth and rub gently for about a minute, then wipe clean.

If none of these methods work, you’ll need to lightly sand and refinish the entire surface of the wood. For the best results, choose a slightly darker stain than the current wood finish. This will help cover water stains.

How Do You Clean Furniture After a Sewage Backup?

Unfortunately, cleaning and disinfecting some pieces of furniture is extremely difficult after a sewage backup. It’s almost impossible to disinfect fabric and upholstered furniture once it comes in contact with sewage. Because of the risk of mold and bacteria, it’s best to throw away furniture damaged by sewage.

What Types of Furniture are Most Likely to be Damaged By Water?

• Composite Materials – Furniture made of particleboard or pressed wood swells quickly when it gets wet. The water will weaken the glue, causing the material to fall apart. The same goes for laminated furniture made from composite materials. In most cases, it’s best to just throw these items away.
• Vinyl – Furniture made from vinyl or other synthetic materials is usually easy to dry. They are much easier to clean and disinfect as well. But items with frames made of composite material are more likely to break or fall apart.
• Fabric and Upholstery – Depending on the extent of the damage and the type of fabric, upholstered furniture can be dried and saved. However, items with a composite frame are more likely to fall apart. Also, it’s very difficult to clean and sanitize fabric furniture after a sewage backup.
• Leather – Drying leather items is often tricky, as real leather may shrink as it dries. For this reason, avoid using heat when drying leather furniture. As a natural material, leather is also more likely to allow mold and bacteria to grow.
• Hardwoods – Solid wood furniture is typically the easiest to dry and the most common type of furniture to save. However, it may be necessary to sand and refinish the surface to remove water stains or fix minor damage. Depending on the damage, you may need to make additional repairs to swollen wood furniture.

How Long Can Furniture Sit in Water Before Being Ruined?

Unfortunately, how long furniture can sit in water before it’s ruined varies. Whether you can save wet furniture depends on the amount of water and the type of furniture.

Water will cause composite furniture to fall apart much faster than hardwoods. One inch of water will do much less damage to your furniture than three feet.

The best way to prevent wet furniture from being ruined is to begin cleanup as soon as possible. The faster you can dry the air, the most likely you can salvage your furniture after a flood or water event.

More water than you can handle? Call 1-888-443-3110 for a fast, free quote on water cleanup and repair.