My mom was complaining that the house’s built-in wooden wardrobe was growing fungus, and she had to wipe it off every month during her regular spring cleaning sessions. I tried placing moisture-absorbing desiccant packs, but the fungus still kept growing. Malaysia’s high humidity doesn’t help either, as it promotes fungal growth. The wooden wardrobe was installed around six years ago, so the shellac coating has likely thinned out by now.
I went to my local hardware store to look for some kind of varnish or shellac with anti-fungal properties. I was recommended a varnish made by a company called TOA. It was labeled as an ultra premium grade wood stain and priced at RM40. I brought it home and applied it to the wardrobe. The result was a glossy finish that made the wardrobe look brand new. It’s so shiny that items placed inside are now reflected on the surface. Overall, I’m quite satisfied with the results.
Wood varnishes come in both colored and clear options. In my experience, it’s safer to go with the clear version, as matching the varnish to your furniture’s original wood tone can be tricky. If the colors don’t match, it can end up looking off. Use colored varnish only if the wood has faded significantly; otherwise, just stick with the clear one. Also, don’t forget to get a face mask the fumes from the varnish are very strong and not for the faint hearted.
 |
| Varnish/Wood Stain with clear color |
 |
| Shiny until the blanket's reflection can bee seen |