How to Protect Furniture from Humidity in Mexico
How does humidity affect different materials and furniture in Mexico? How can you protect furniture from humidity in Mexico? It takes a bit of maintenance and care, but there are ways to protect your investment in furniture for your home in Mexico.
The air and heat in Mexico, especially during the Summer, feels thick and heavy, like a warm embrace from Mother Nature herself. The moisture from the ocean, the condensation at higher altitudes, and the seasonal downpours create a cocktail of humidity that hangs in the air. June to September are the most humid months, thanks to the rainy season, but it can stay fairly humid all year. When humidity exceeds 60%, it can start seriously affecting our furniture and appliances for the worse. However, there are things you can do to protect your various furniture materials from the humidity in Mexico.
Wood
Wood is alive, dynamic and deeply influenced by its surroundings. It’s made up of countless cells. These cells, even after the tree is cut and processed, retain their ability to absorb and release moisture. This is because wood is hygroscopic, meaning it naturally balances its moisture content with that of the surrounding environment.
As humidity levels rise, wood absorbs this excess moisture, causing it to expand. Conversely, when the air becomes dry, wood releases moisture, leading it to contract. This constant cycle of expansion and contraction can lead to various issues, such as warping, cracking or splitting, and as a result, joint loosening.
How to Protect It:
First and foremost, you need to ensure that you are buying furniture made from quality wood that has been dried, cured and treated properly, sometimes this can take years. The parota wood on the side of the highway may seem like a good idea, but remember to ask the right questions before buying!
Stable Environment: Try to maintain a consistent humidity level in your home in Mexico. Dehumidifiers work great of course, and the “Dry” setting on your mini-split works great for this as well!
Regular Maintenance: Periodically check your wooden furniture for signs of moisture damage. Reapplying finishes or sealants every year (especially on exterior furniture) can go a long way in preserving the wood.
Strategic Placement: Avoid placing wood furniture near sources of moisture, like bathrooms, or sunlit windows. These can accelerate the moisture absorption or release process.
Metal
Metal furniture can be beautiful, especially outdoors. However, when metal furniture comes into contact with moisture, a chemical reaction can occur, leading to corrosion. This is especially true for metals like iron, which reacts with water and oxygen to form iron oxide, aka rust. The presence of salts in the air, especially in coastal areas, can further accelerate this process.
How to Protect It:
Opt for metal furniture that are less prone to rust:
- Stainless Steel: This is a champion in the fight against corrosion. Its chromium content forms a protective layer, preventing rust formation.
- Aluminum: Lightweight and durable, aluminum forms a protective oxide layer naturally, making it resistant to rust.
- Brass and Bronze: These copper alloys are less prone to corrosion, especially in humid conditions. They might develop a patina over time, which many find aesthetically pleasing.
- Galvanized Metal: This is essentially steel or iron coated with a layer of zinc. The zinc acts as a sacrificial layer, corroding before the underlying metal does.
Cover it: Keep metal furniture indoors or in covered outdoor areas.
Coat it: Use protectants like Rustoleum as a protective coating
Leather
Leather is a timeless favorite, and for good reason. It's durable and gorgeous. But at its core, leather is skin. Just like our skin, it has pores, and it can absorb moisture. When leather furniture absorbs moisture, it becomes a prime breeding ground for mold and mildew. These fungi thrive in damp conditions.
Now, you might think, "Alright, I'll just dry out my leather goods to combat the humidity." But here's the catch: When leather dries out after being damp, it can lose its natural oils. This can lead to the leather becoming stiff, brittle, and prone to cracking. It's like a double-edged sword – too much moisture and you risk mold, too little and you risk cracking.
How to Protect it:
Wipe it Down: Regularly wipe it down with a damp cloth. A mixture of baby soap, vinegar and water works wonders to disinfect and get deep dirt out while maintaining its softness.
Condition it: Commercial Leather conditioners work great, but you can also use lemon essential oil or beeswax.
Indirect Light: Keep your leather furniture away from windows that get direct sunlight to avoid fading.
Fabric
Most fabrics, whether they're natural like cotton or synthetic like polyester, can absorb and retain moisture. Similar to leather, when fabric remains damp for extended periods (like low season in Mexico), it becomes a playground for mold and mildew. This can cause discoloration, produce a musty smell, and weaken the fabric's fibers over time.
How to Protect it:
All you can really do is wash it after particularly humid days, make sure it's dry, and keep it that way with dehumidifiers and/or silica gel packs.
Luckily, not all fabric is cut from the same cloth.
Performance fabrics are specially designed to withstand challenging conditions, and while they are almost always synthetic they come with a range of benefits:
Moisture-Wicking: They draw moisture to the surface, where it can evaporate, reducing the chances of mold and mildew setting in.
Stain-Resistant: Performance fabrics often come pre-treated with protective coatings that repel liquids, making cleanup a breeze.
Durability: These fabrics are built to last. They're often more resistant to wear and tear, UV rays, and, of course, humidity.
Breathability: While they're champions at repelling unwanted moisture, performance fabrics are also breathable. This ensures that they remain comfortable, even in warmer climates.
Mattresses, Cushions, Pillows and Rugs
Both cushion foam and mattresses, especially those with memory foam or other porous materials, have a sponge-like quality. They can absorb moisture from the air, making them susceptible to the effects of high humidity, such as mold, dust mites, and a change in density. In this case one sort of leads to the other: our dead skin cells mix with humidity and allow fungus to grow, the dust mites come to feed on the dead skin cells, and all of it leads to an increase in density which makes your mattress and pillows less airy and heavier, reducing its ability to bounce back and provide the support you're used to.
How to Protect it:
Use Protective Covers: Waterproof or moisture-resistant covers can act as a barrier, preventing moisture from seeping into the foam.
Regularly Air Them Out: Every once in a while, especially on sunny days, take your cushions or mattresses outside. The sun's UV rays can help kill mold spores and reduce moisture.
Maintain Indoor Humidity: Invest in a dehumidifier or use the “Dry” function on your AC unit. Keeping indoor humidity around 30-50% is ideal for preventing mold growth and dust mite proliferation.
Rotate and Flip: For mattresses, regularly rotating and flipping them can ensure even wear and reduce the chances of moisture accumulation in one spot.
Vacuum Regularly: This can help reduce dust mites and any mold spores that might be on the surface. Add in a steam-cleaning for twice the cleaning power!
Have any other questions about how to protect your furniture from humidity, or want help buying right the first time? Contact Us!
