Step 1
Dry the antique furniture. If the furniture resides in a musty garage or basement, move it to a drier environment and remove the moisture from the furniture by running a portable dehumidifier or by turning on a heater to reduce the humidity in the air. Turn on fans facing the furniture to increase air circulation and speed the drying.
Step 2
Vacuum the furniture to draw away the dry mildew. Attach a thin hose extension to the vacuum and use a gentle suction. For best results, use a HEPA vacuum, which is specially designed to absorb impurities. If you do not have a HEPA vacuum, clean the vacuum filter outdoors immediately after use.
Step 3
Dampen a sponge with hydrogen peroxide and blot areas where mildew stains appear. Peroxide is a natural and safe alternative to bleach, effective in neutralizing mildew. While it will not harm fibers of antique furniture, it may ruin certain finishes, so perform a spot test before applying peroxide to large areas of the object. Blot gently in an inconspicuous area, and if no discoloration occurs, continue spot treating the antique furniture.
Step 4
Store the antique furniture in a dry location. If you have high indoor humidity but you want to keep the furniture in your home, keep humidity under control. Run a dehumidifier or a heater during the day. Since wood can provide food for mold, keep the furniture dry at all times.