How to Remove Mold from Wood?
If you live in a state where the climate Is generally humid, it is inevitable to avoid mold infestation in your home. Mold is most commonly found on damp and dark surfaces, and wood is one of them. As wood can easily absorb moisture, it acts as a breeding ground for mold.
As easy as it is to catch it on wood, you can also get rid of mold from your wooden furnishings and other household items.
Fortunately, removing mold from woods is relatively easy, especially on a smaller surface area. Moreover, if the mold is toxic, like black mold, then you can follow a few simple steps at home to remove mold for good.
Removing Mold from Wood – A Step-by-Step Guide
If you’ve been unfortunate enough to catch mold growing on your favorite wooden furniture, you can follow this simple step-by-step guide to remove mold from the surface effectively:
Step 1 – Safety First
Mold can be harmful to your health and create several health issues, including difficulty breathing, headaches, eye irritation, skin irritation, etc. Therefore, the first step in safe mold removal is to ensure that you wear all the safety gear required.
A typical safety kit comprises protective goggles, face masks, waterproof gloves, etc.
Step 2 – Cleaning the Surface
Before you begin the actual mold removal process, make sure that your affected area is thoroughly cleaned.
You should use a vacuum with a filter to get rid of all surface-level dirt, grime, and mold particles. For safety purposes, please do not clean the vacuum inside your home.
Instead, you should dump out the trash away from your home and inside a sealed container or plastic bag. This way, no mold residue or spores can spread inside the house.
Step 3 – Removing Mold
You can use different cleaning agents to remove mold from wood effectively. It depends on the severity of the situation that how deep is the mold infestation.
The basic cleaning solution used for removing mold is a mixture of soap and water. You can use any dishwashing liquid, better to use an antibacterial one and mix it with water. Add this solution to a spray bottle and use it as per requirement.
All you need to do is spray this mixture on the affected area and use a soft cleaning brush to scrape off the mold spores from the wooden surface. After the mold is completely removed, wipe off the surface using a thick towel or cloth that can absorb the moisture from the wooden furniture.
If this method fails, you can use a vinegar and water solution to get rid of stubborn mold from the wooden surface. It is better to use distilled vinegar for more effective mold removal.
Vinegar solution needs to stay on the affected area for an hour or two in order to break down and dissolve the mold.
Afterward, you can use a soft cloth to properly wipe off the mold and dry off the surface. This step is highly important as it leaves the surface moisture-free and reduces the chances of mold regrowth.
Other than this, you can also use borax to get rid of the stubborn mold growing on wood. Borax is a type of mineral salt that can be used as an effective cleaning agent that helps remove mold from the surface and deep within. You can use a soft cleaning brush to scrape off the mold from the top layer.
Moreover, the borax solution, once absorbed by the wood, can help prevent future mold growth. You can use fans and dehumidifiers to get rid of the smell and quickly dry off the borax from the top of the wood.
In addition to this, some people also prefer using bleaches for removing mold from wood. While this method is effective, it can also cause discoloration of the wood, so be careful about using bleaches and use them in minimum quantity.
Step 4 – Sanding and Drying
This step is not required every time, but it helps to ensure that mold growth is prevented in the near future.
It is recommended to use 100-grit sandpaper on the problem area and use it in a gentle circular motion to avoid damaging the wooden furniture.
Then use a moist, soft cloth to clean and dry the surface until it is smooth and completely mold-free.
Get Help from a Professional Mold Removal Company
If mold is not treated and removed at the right time, it could cause a severe health hazard and become even more toxic with time.
To ensure the safety of yourself and your loved ones, call in a professional mold removal company like 911 Restoration of Northern Houston to get rid of mold from wood the right way.
911 Restoration of Northern Houston has the right tool and equipment to remove mold from your wooden furniture and household items without damaging them. Moreover, they have been running this business for several years; hence they can do complete justice to do the job.
Call 911 Restoration of Northern Houston for a free consultation and say goodbye to mold forever.