If there is one thing Singapore has no shortage of, it is humidity.

A rainy afternoon can leave the air feeling damp for hours, and while your Tatami furnishing is perfectly capable of handling everyday changes in moisture, prolonged humidity is a different story. Natural Tatami is made with Igusa Rush, a material that can absorb and release moisture. When the air stays humid and the Tatami does not get enough airflow, mould can eventually become a problem.

Good news; Tatami maintenance is pretty simple. A little regular cleaning, ventilation and moisture control can go a long way.

Your rainy-season Tatami routine can be surprisingly simple

During periods of consistently high humidity, we recommend cleaning your Tatami twice a week rather than once a week.

Start by gently vacuuming the surface along the direction of the weave. Keep the suction low and let the vacuum follow the grain rather than dragging it across the fibres.

Next, wipe the surface with a clean, well-wrung cloth. The key word here is well-wrung. Tatami does not need to be soaked to get clean, and leaving excess moisture behind defeats the whole point of your cleaning routine.

If you use a Tatami-safe mist or a mild cleaning solution, apply only what is needed on the Tatami surface and allow it to dry thoroughly afterwards.

Nothing particularly dramatic. Which is exactly what we want.

For more general Tatami cleaning guidance, watch our guide to cleaning Tatami in a few easy steps.

The real trick is keeping moisture from hanging around

Cleaning your Tatami furnishing is only half the job. During humid weather, airflow matters just as much.

Keep the area around your Tatami clear so air can move freely. Try not to cover the Tatami with rugs, Futons, or other materials for longer than necessary to avoid trapping moisture against the surface. If your Tatami can be lifted or moved, allowing air to reach underneath it from time to time can also help.

On particularly humid days, a dehumidifier or air-conditioner's dry mode can help bring down indoor moisture. Fans and air circulators are useful too, especially when positioned to keep air moving around the room.

And what about the windows?

Open them when the outside air is reasonably dry and conditions allow. But if it is actively raining or the outdoor air is extremely humid, keeping the windows closed while using air-conditioning or a dehumidifier may make more sense.

The goal is simple: keep the room dry enough for your Tatami to dry out properly.

If you notice mould, don't ignore the humidity problem

First, don't panic. A small patch of mould does not automatically mean your Tatami is doomed.

If you notice mould appearing on your Tatami, the first thing to address is not just the visible patch. Look at the room around it too.

Prolonged humidity is one of the main conditions that allows mould to grow, so start by reducing moisture and improving airflow. Use your air-conditioner's Dry Mode or a dehumidifier, and make sure the Tatami and surrounding area are thoroughly dry.

For a small amount of surface mould, the All Japan Tatami Cooperative Association recommends drying the Tatami first, carefully removing the mould, then wiping the affected area with disinfectant alcohol before drying it thoroughly again.

If mould keeps returning, has spread extensively, or appears to have penetrated the Tatami, professional advice may be more appropriate. Natural Igusa is a porous material, so mould that has grown into the material can be difficult to remove completely.

A few small habits can make a big difference

Most Tatami mould problems are really moisture problems in disguise.

Try not to leave wet towels, damp clothes, drinks or condensation sitting directly on the Tatami. Keep furniture and objects from blocking airflow, and avoid creating a permanently enclosed, humid pocket around it.

It is also worth checking the room itself. If your Tatami keeps developing mould despite regular cleaning, the problem may be persistent indoor humidity rather than the furnishing itself.

Natural Tatami is designed to breathe and interact with the surrounding environment. It just needs a little help from us when Singapore decides to turn the entire room into a sauna.

Keep it clean, keep it dry, keep the air moving

Tatami care does not need to become another chore you dread.

During normal weather, regular vacuuming, gentle wiping and good ventilation are usually enough. When humidity stays high, step up your cleaning routine to around twice a week and pay extra attention to airflow and moisture.

A clean Tatami is nice. A clean and properly dried Tatami is even better.

And honestly, in Singapore, sometimes the most important part of cleaning your Tatami is simply remembering to let it ventilate.