How to Clean Mildew From a Wooden Silverware Box

If you have expensive or antique silverware, or just want to keep your silverware from getting nicked or scratched, it is wise to store it in a wooden silverware box. However, you must be careful where you store the wooden silverware box. If you store it in a damp, musty location, you might find the box covered in mildew, a form of mold, the next time you take out your silverware. If you do find mildew on your wooden silverware box, you can clean it with the proper supplies.

Things You'll Need

• Clean towel
• 2 soft cloths
• Carpet cleaner
• 1 cup bleach
• 1 gallon warm water
• Sponge
• 2 lint-free towels

Instructions

1. Remove all the silverware from the wooden silverware box and set it aside on a clean towel.

2. Clean the velvet inside of your wooden silverware box with a soft cloth and carpet cleaner. According to "How to Clean Practically Anything," you can clean the velvet by putting a little carpet cleaner on a soft cloth and brushing the mildew off with the cloth. You may have to make a couple of passes with the cloth and carpet cleaner before your velvet is mildew-free.

3. Mix 1 cup of bleach in a bucket with 1 gallon of warm water.

4. Dip a sponge into the bucket and wring it out with your hands. Carefully scrub the mildew off the wooden silverware box with the sponge.

5. Dry the wooden silverware box with a lint-free towel immediately after cleaning off the mildew. If you leave the water on the wood too long, it can warp it.

6. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 until you are sure you have removed all the mildew. You must dry the silverware box each time you scrub it with the sponge so that it doesn't become saturated with water.

7. Empty the bucket of bleach water. Rinse the bucket thoroughly in the sink and refill it with warm water.

8. Dip a soft cloth in the bucket and wring it out. Rinse all the bleach mixture off the wooden silverware box by wiping it down with the cloth.

9. Dry the silverware box thoroughly with a lint-free towel. Allow the wooden silverware box to air dry overnight before storing it in a drawer or cabinet.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have sensitive skin, wear rubber gloves when you mix the bleach.

References

• "How to Clean Practically Anything;" The Editors of Consumer Reports; 2006