Monsoons are captivating. They unleash abundant downpours, strong breezes and pearls of water on our doors and windows. But, with the joy and romance that the monsoon brings, it carries along challenges and risks for your home and interior. Moisture and humidity accompany the rainy season causing concern for care of our precious items of wood, papier-mache, linen and terracotta. To diminish your worries about dampness, dullness and care, here are some tips and tricks to protect your home spaces from the monsoon woes so that you may enjoy this beautiful season to the fullest.

Protect Your Wood

We all cherish the warm and elegant wooden collection of our home due to our sentimental connection with each piece and its place in the interior. However, wood is a material prone to swelling, warping and rotting due to moisture which can be avoided through preventive measures before and during the monsoon.

• Varnishing or polishing the wooden items before the rainy season develops a protective layer that prevents them from absorbing moisture. 
• Keeping the wooden pieces dry, and cleaning them regularly is the easiest way to ensure the protection of your wooden items. 
• Placing the wooden items near windows or doors can be avoided during the season to diminish the chances of moisture to seep in. 
• Using a dehumidifier to reduce the humidity level of your home interior is another way of keeping the wooden pieces safe. Traditional natural dehumidifiers such as silica gel, charcoal or rock salt can be used to overcome humidity. 

Care for Ecomix

Ecomix is a re-imagination of papier-mache to enhance its smoothness and sturdiness. Despite being an eco-friendly material which is versatile and durable, it is sensitive to moisture and can lose its form or texture if exposed to water. To ensure the longevity of your aesthetic collection of ecomix, be it vases, candle stands, accent pieces or lamps, a few care tips can be adopted and implemented. 

• Storing your ecomix items in dry and well-ventilated spaces is a recommended care tip as damp and dark corners may result into mold growth. 
• In case of wet ecomix items, wiping them gently with a soft cloth and letting them air dry completely is crucial. Avoid using harsh chemicals or detergents to clean them as it may damage the surface. 
• Applying a thin coat of clear varnish or lacquer is the best possible way to maintain the shine and texture of your ecomix items. 

Maintain your Linen

Linen is a breathable, comfortable and stylish fabric that is natural and never goes out of style. It is an ideal choice for monsoon as it dries quickly and doesn’t retain odours. On the contrary, it wrinkles easily and gets stained or discoloured by water. Be it your runner, placement set, towel set, napkin set or even an apron, linen requires precise care and maintenance during monsoon.

• Washing your linens separately in cold water with mild detergent is a universal way of maintaining them. However, bleaching or using fabric conditioners may weaken the fibres of your linens as it is a delicate fabric. 
• Drying your linen items in a well ventilated area or under direct sunlight can help you in maintaining them. Tumble drying or ironing your linens may tend to cause shrinkage and damage.  
• Keeping your linens fresh and moth free in extreme humidity of monsoon can be done through placing cedar balls or lavender sachets in your closets.

Preserve your Terracotta

The rustic charm of terracotta soothes your home interior with beauty and subtlety. However, maintaining this earthy elegance can be tricky during monsoon as terracotta is porous and brittle, and can crack or break due to excessive moisture. Your terracotta planters, vases, lamps, curd setters, bottles, sprouters or even tumblers require a little bit of attention during the rainy season.

• Keeping away terracotta items such as planters from direct rain or water splashes is the easiest trick to maintain them. Air drying the wet products is the best way to get rid of excessive moisture from the items. 
• A waterproof coating on terracotta items enhances their longevity and avoids the probability of cracking and breaking. 
• Applying a thin layer of oil or wax further enhances the colour and shine of terracotta products. 

Pieces collectively transform a house into a home as they are a collection of memories that are the threads of time that grew with us and marked their own place in our home spaces. Maintaining and caring for them is a natural responsibility that needs not to be addressed. So, embrace this monsoon with  a little bit of care.