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Wood easily absorbs liquids, especially water. As a result, wood is an ideal home for mold and mildew caused by inadequate ventilation or humidity. Mold usually appears as greenish-brown or black spots.
The term mildew is commonly used to describe the fungus and discoloration found on wooden surfaces. In addition to looking unpleasant, mold spores can cause allergies and other health problems.
Before removing mold from your wood surfaces, be sure to prepare the basic tools and supplies.
You will need the following items:
- Water
- bleach
- baking soda
- Household detergent
- Sandpaper
- Wood Cleaner
Optional:
- baking soda
- Vinegar (preferably instead of bleach)
- Commercial Removal Products
Required tools:
- Air mask or respirator (N95 is recommended)
- rubber gloves
- protective clothing or coveralls
- Vacuum (use a HEPA filter)
- safety glasses
- Soft-bristled scrub brush
- Sponge
- Soft Cloth
The following are the steps to remove mold growing on wood:
Step 1: Choose the right cleaning solution
There are many commercial products available to treat mold problems. These come pre-mixed, so you don’t have to go through the process of mixing different solutions. However, make sure you use the right cleaning solution to address your unique mold problem. For example, to get rid of mold from painted or finished wood, mild cleaning solutions are great options. There’s no need to kill the mold, just remove it. But for unfinished wood, where mold usually penetrates below its surface, the solution needs to be stronger to kill the culprit.
Here are suggested solutions for finished and unfinished wood:
Finished or painted wood
- distilled vinegar
- Baking soda, household detergent and water (1 cup water, 1 tablespoon liquid detergent and ½ cup baking soda)
- Mix warm water and liquid detergent
- Premixed or commercial mold removal products
Unfinished Wood:
- Warm water, bleach and detergent solution (20 parts water, 10 parts bleach and 1 part liquid detergent)
- Sodium borate or borax and water (1 part sodium borate and 16 parts water)
- distilled vinegar
- surgical spirit
- Premixed or commercial mold removal product
Please keep in mind that bleach is not absorbed by wood. It only prevents or kills mold spores visible on the surface of the wood. You should use commercial products for mold that is inside the wood, as those products contain additives that allow absorption into the wood fibers. This additive is called a surfactant.
Step 2: Wear protective clothing and gear
Take safety measures
Regardless of the severity of the mold spore situation and the cleaning solution chosen, don’t be careless. Always take safety precautions and wear protective suits and gear. Masks, rubber gloves, glasses or goggles, and coveralls or protective outerwear are mandatory.
A mask or respirator will prevent mold spores from entering your lungs. Rubber gloves will protect your hands from skin irritation. You should also wear goggles to protect your eyes from any particles. Finally, if you are sensitive to mold exposure, you should wear a protective suit. However, for highly sensitive people, hiring someone to do the task is the best idea. Finally, if you are using chemicals with strong fumes to treat mold, the room should have adequate ventilation.
Step 3: Vacuum the affected area of wood
A vacuum with a HEPA filter is the best recommended tool for sucking up all loose mold spores along with other accumulated dirt and debris. Once removed, empty and clean the dust bag or canister. Vacuumed dust must be disposed of properly so that no spores escape and spread.
Step 4: Clean the mold with soap and warm water
If the wood is painted or finished, it is best to use a mixture of water and liquid detergent to clean the moldy area. Use a soft-bristled scrub brush to clean the affected area. Don’t overdo the brushing unless you want to refinish the surface. If you are not satisfied with the results, you can opt for distilled vinegar. You can also apply the vinegar using a spray bottle. Let it sit for an hour and wipe the surface with a damp clean cloth. Inspect the surface and if you are sure it is mold-free, wipe it with a clean towel or cloth.
If chlorine bleach is used, it must be diluted with water and liquid detergent. Mix one part liquid detergent with 10 parts chlorine bleach and 20 parts warm water. Use a soft bristle brush and allow the solution to air dry.
The solution should be applied lightly, but enough to cover the mold. Too much solution can cause moisture or dampness which is a major cause of mold growth.
Step 5: Use bleach for tough mold stains
Some stains can be removed using vinegar. Other stains are much more difficult to deal with. If the mold stain still won’t go away, it’s time to use a stronger remedy – bleach. Bleach has many uses in this situation. It can be used to kill fungus that has set in beneath the surface of the wood, and also as a stronger agent to remove tough mold stains. Mix one tablespoon of detergent, half a cup of bleach, and one cup of warm water. Apply to the stained area with a scrub sponge or soft-bristled brush and let dry.
Step 6: Sand the area if necessary
Stubborn mold may remain even after scrubbing. In this case, sanding is the last resort. Sanding is the only way to remove mold deep down into the wood. However, you can’t use just any sandpaper available. Use fine grit sandpaper with a 100 to 200 rating. Gently run the sandpaper over the moldy area until the unsightly appearance disappears. It is advisable to sand the area while it is still damp to prevent the spread of mold spores. After sanding, vacuum the affected area to remove mold spores, dust and debris.
Step 7: Repaint or reapply protective wood coating if necessary
Sanding can ruin the texture of the wood surface. You may want to consider reapplying or refinishing the wood with lacquer, polyurethane, Proactiv stain or another finishing product of your choice.