Most Indian houses always have wood in their interiors in different ways – flooring, seating, cabinets, wall units, beds, dining tables, chairs, sofas. Nowadays people even use wood for ceilings and wall panels. And if you live in a city prone to heavy rainfall, with monsoon comes a whole host of wet weather problems that can affect the wooden furniture and interiors.
Use these handy tips to protect your home during the monsoon, so you can make the most of the dreamy weather without having to tackle mildew, water damage or costly repairs.
Keep Your House Ventilated And Let Fresh Air Come In
A particularly heavy storm could cause water leakage from windows and doors; seal the doors and windows; but don’t obstruct sunlight and air when it is not raining.
Control Humidity Levels
Invest in a dehumidifier or make your own with a little DIY project.
Use Oil
Walnut oil or linseed oil can be used to naturally waterproof wooden furniture around the house. Clean wooden furniture with a dry cotton cloth and using a soft brush apply oil all over the exposed surface. Let the oil absorb overnight and then wipe down the excess oil with a cloth.
Use Lacquer/ Varnish
Apply a coat of lacquer or varnish at least once a year to fill the pores and to prevent the wood from swelling.
Keep Damp And Wet clothes Away
Always use a clean and dry fabric to clean wooden furniture. Never let dust collect during monsoon, as it has a tendency to stick to wooden items. Also, avoid dropping damp clothes on the nearest piece of furniture, this causes moisture to get absorbed and may also cause staining.
Keep Cupboards Away From Moisture & Avoid stuffing too much into a little space
Don’t stuff too many clothes in a cupboard. It is good to leave the doors of cupboards open once in a while during the monsoon, especially on days when the sun is out for air to circulate. Camphor or naphthalene absorbs moisture and protects clothes from termites and other pests. Use absorbent paper to line the cupboards so that clothes don’t come into direct contact with the wood.