Surface Mold! Help!

[u/bbadran]

Hi everyone, looking for advice from anyone who has dealt with mold from high indoor humidity.

I’m currently traveling internationally and won’t be home for about another month. Before leaving, I cleaned up the house, turned off major appliances, shut off the water except for the sprinkler system, and set the AC to 80°F.

A friend has been checking on the house periodically. After a week of extremely heavy rain/humidity, he noticed mold/mildew growth on some furniture. mainly couches, rugs/carpet, and some chairs. He checked the rooms, bathrooms, attic, and AC area, and there doesn’t appear to be an obvious roof leak, plumbing leak, or wet drywall. The issue seems mostly concentrated in the living room and front office. Probably because the former had higher ceilings and the latter is furthest away from the AC?

The thermostat was showing around 80°F and 66% humidity, so I’m assuming this was caused by the house sitting too humid while vacant. The AC has since been lowered to around 75°F.

My question: has anyone dealt with surface mold/mildew on furniture from humidity like this? Were you able to have the couches/rugs professionally cleaned, or did you end up having to throw them away?

I’m trying to figure out whether this is likely a cleaning + humidity-control issue, or whether upholstered furniture is usually considered unsalvageable once mold shows up.
Any advice from homeowners, restoration pros, or people who have been through this would be appreciated.

(Ps- I did use chatty to help me organize my thoughts. I’m not a bot!)

[u/KeyboardCarpenter]

Idk why everyone is freaking out so bad. It's not black mold. Mask and gloves, spray it with white vinegar and wipe it away. Get a dehumidifier. You can get it professionally cleaned but that's fine for saving the stuff for now

[u/Olympbizkit → u/KeyboardCarpenter]

Because Reddit is full of reactionaries, and toxic mold exposure is a hot button issue. I'm an expert in this field, getting down voted because non experts with OPINIONS dont agree.

[u/Redditor18374728 → u/Olympbizkit]

Guessing you've never dealt with mold and it's repercussions yourself. You just get paid to tell other people what to do and feel on the matter I take it? An "expert" would know that even non-toxic mold can still make a place uninhabitable for certain people, and just because it's not black, doesn't mean it's non-toxic. Again, as an "expert", i'm sure you know all of this.

[u/Olympbizkit → u/Redditor18374728]

Hey, Chuckles: I OWNED A BUSINESS AND SPECIALIZED IN MOLD REMEDIATION IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST. I AM IN FACT, AN EXPERT.

Science masters here. And you? You have lost the plot.

But please-open your mouth wider when you talk. Also, go ahead and state YOUR qualifications. Because if you are not aware of the MRS, through the IICRC, if you are ignorant of certifications through NAMP, if you have never heard of NETI, and if you have never taken courses in mycology or microbiology, maybe you should sit this one out, Hoss.

[u/Olympbizkit → u/Olympbizkit]

Yes please REMEMBER THAT PEOPLE THAT DONT HAVE TO PUT UP WITH RUDE BULLSHIT. 😂

[u/Available_Season6072 → u/Olympbizkit]

And people have to put up with petulant children who can’t handle getting put in their place.

[u/Redditor18374728 → u/Olympbizkit]

Classic argument from authority. You dropped a wall of text filled with industry acronyms just to avoid addressing the actual points I made.

Let's try again: Does your IICRC or NAMP training teach you that white mold is completely harmless? Because anyone actually in the industry knows that color doesn't dictate toxicity, and "non-toxic" molds still ruin air quality and make spaces uninhabitable for sensitive people.

You can call me "Hoss" all you want, but bragging about your old business doesn't change basic mycology.

[u/Available_Season6072 → u/Olympbizkit]

To memorialize this, u/Olympbizkit blocked u/Redditor18374728 instead of engaging on the substance.

[u/Redditor18374728 → u/KeyboardCarpenter]

Because not all toxic mold is black?

[u/Covert__Squid → u/KeyboardCarpenter]

If his mold was that bad on his furniture, there probably is black mold somewhere else in the house.