How To Kill Mold On Hardwood Floors

Best Moisture Meter For Wood Studs

The Protimeter Surveymaster is a dual-function moisture meter that offers homeowners a quick, easy, and one-handed way to measure moisture in wood studs. The Protimeter Surveymaster has two modes of operation: Search and Measure . These functions allow the homeowner to distinguish sub-surface and surface moisture, which is essential when investigating the extent of a moisture problem.

How Do You Remove Mold On Wood

I very rarely suggest a DIY approach to mold removal. Instead, I recommend you consult with a mold remediation company. One wrong move and you can contaminate your entire home.

If you do have a VERY small area of mold and wish to try the DIY approach, please be sure you have the following personal protective equipment:

• Protective clothing like a Tyvek suit

Before doing ANY mold removal or cleaning, you will need to properly contain the area. Please see my post on how to properly contain an area you are remediating before proceeding.

What Are The Dangers Of Mold Exposure From Moldy Wooden Floors

The other sign of mold growth on your floor is the health reactions of your family members to it. Mold can be hazardous, especially among infants and children.

Having them play on your floor while its mold-ridden may lead to health complications. Other demographics susceptible to mold are the elderly, pregnant women, and immunocompromised people.

The health reactions to mold range from mild skin allergies to difficulty breathing and nausea. Its challenging to deal with mold and its adverse effects, so its best to remove them as soon as possible.

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Signs Of Mold Growth Under Hardwood Flooring

Its normal for homeowners to be unsettled about mold growth that appears on or below their hardwood floors. However, finding a single patch of growth is only a sign that the problem could be much worse.

Youll need to look further to determine how widespread the problem is.

Ideally, you only need to look out for certain signs such as water stains, actual mold growth, musty odor, and spongy flooring. Any or all of these signs found on or below your hardwood floor is a sure sign that you have a mold problem that needs to be addressed.

Lets further discuss each of the points mentioned.

What Is Increasing Your Chances Of Mold Growth

Untreated or water that is left to soak into the wood planks can cause mold growth. It can become a serious health hazard for anyone living in the house or walking around in that environment, especially crawling children, pets and the elderly.

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Does Vinegar Kill Mold On Concrete

Yes, it does. You can use vinegar to kill mold because it is acidic. White vinegar is recommended for killing mold because scientific studies have shown that it can eliminate up to 82 % of mold spores. It is also advantageous to use vinegar because it is known to have disinfecting properties that will kill the viruses or bacteria on surfaces. You can use vinegar to do away with mold on hard nonporous and porous surfaces since it can seep into surfaces. When dealing with vinegar, be sure to use personal protective gear to prevent it from getting into contact with your body because it irritates. Use a liquid sprayer for a smoother application on the affected area and dry it before cleaning it.

How To Clean Mold Off Wood The Easy Way In 6 Simple Steps

Mold can be a huge problem for homeowners, especially during the winter months when the windows are closed and moisture accumulates. If you have mold on your wood furniture or flooring, dont worry were here to help!

This blog post will teach you how to clean mold off wood in a few easy steps. Well also provide tips and tricks to make the job easier and more effective.

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Wear Personal Protection Gear When Removing Mold

The first step all professionals take in mold remediation is wearing proper protection equipment to avoid any negative health effects. This includes sneezing, coughing, itchy and watery eyes, breathing problems, etc. Wearing eye glasses, a breathing mask, gloves, and washable clothing will protect you from any harmful spores it releases during the cleaning process.

Why Does Black Mold Grow On Floors

It can be tricky to find, as it can grow on subflooring and joists. This means it can grow under carpets, tiles and other types of flooring which can be difficult to spot. It requires a moist environment to grow and thrive, thus it will be in areas that experience moisture. This can include kitchens and bathrooms.

Since it grows from spores, once inside of your home, these spores gravitate toward these naturally damp areas. After they have established a favorable area to grow, it can then spread. Spores are tiny, airborne reproductive cells that mimic the function of seeds. If they are stirred up, they can travel to other areas.

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Best Way To Treat Mold On Wood

Before we move to the step-by-step procedure, lets first take a quick look at the best cleaning solutions you can use to remove the mold.

1. Mold Armor

Mold Armor instant mold and mildew killer is a beast. Lets face it: you need to get rid of all the mold on your wood floor right away. You can refinish the surface if it becomes lighter as a result of the harsh chemicals, but at the very least you have eliminated it. Worst case scenario: mold infiltrating your floorboards and getting embedded. Hence, causing permanent damage.

Pros

Is Mold Armor Just Bleach?

There answer to this question is both yes and no. Mold Armor does contain bleach, but it is not just bleach. The main ingredient in Mold Armor is sodium hypochlorite, which is also found in household bleach.

However, the concentration of sodium hypochlorite in Mold Armor is much higher than in regular bleach. This is what gives Mold Armor its powerful mold and mildew fighting capabilities.

Can I Use Mold Armor on Wood?

Yes, you can use it on wood flooring. Just scroll down the amazon product reviews of previous customers of Mold Armor who used it on wood and youll be amazed by the results. In addition, this spray can also be used on other surfaces such as tile, grout, concrete, and vinyl.

2. Concrobium 25326

Pros

What Are The Causes Of Mold On Hardwood Floors

Mold develops on a natural matter exposed to excessive humidity or retained moisture. It suggests that hardwood floors are vulnerable to mold growth underneath them in the event of a flood or water damage. Learn more about what mold looks like on hardwood floors here.

Excessive humidity in your home can be present without you realizing it. Mold spores can exist without anyone knowing how they got there. Also, you may be living in a house with a leak that you dont know.

If your basement has wood floors, you must be highly vigilant about moisture to avoid mold growth. Ensure to empty a humidifier that periodically absorbs moisture in a room with hardwood flooring to prevent water spilling. Heres a helpful guide on what to put in a humidifier to prevent mold.

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Can I Use Bleach To Kill Mold On Wood

Not only can bleach color wood, but it can also penetrate the wood and only remove surface mold. It is effective in doing that, but it can cause more mold to grow underneath. Avoid using it, for thick, porous wood.

If you feel like bleach is the only thing strong enough to kill the mold on wood, then use it. However, you will need to dilute it to keep it from harming the wood or setting the stage for more mold to grow.

Dry the wood after youve removed the mold. Even if the wood is in the bathroom or kitchen, keeping it dry should be the number one priority.

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Four: Apply A Cleaning Solution

Once the area is prepped and ready, its time to apply the cleaning solution.

If youre using a chemical cleaner, make sure to open windows and doors to allow fresh air into the room. Once you apply the solution, let it sit for about 15 minutes. This will give it time to kill the mold and loosen any dirt or grime.

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How To Get Rid Of Mold On Wood

Mold on wood is harmful to your home and health. Removing mold from wood will protect you and your family.

There are a few DIY mold removal methods that will help you save time and money. If you can clean mold on a wood surface, you wont have to hire a professional when you know how to remove it.

First, you need to be aware of the different types of molds. Whether white mold, black mold, or mold spores, all of it is harmful. There are preventative measures you can take to safeguard the wood in your living environment from fungi.

Before you begin, learn how to identify the mold. Next, figure out how to kill the mold. With mold, wood surfaces are different from concrete or fabrics. Here, you will learn the essentials to prevent problems caused by moldy wood.

How To Remove Mildew From Wood Furniture With Vodka

If exposure to sunlight doesnt work, you should spray the wood surface with chemicals using a spray bottle. There are various mold killer sprays that you can use in washing, but you should start with vodka.

Spray vodka on the wood and allow it to completely dry. This is an effective mold prevention method. You should combine sun-drying with vodka-spraying for even better results. Allow the wood to dry before bringing it back in.

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How To Remove Black Mold From Wood Surface

You wont miss black mold on wood as its the easiest to detect on wooden surfaces. Light mold and black mold are attracted to wood and nonporous surfaces if the wood isnt kept dry or clean.

Black mold lays thick on a surface, so getting rid of it requires more effort. However, dishwashing detergent and warm water will work.

How To Remove Mold From Wood Furniture

If youre dealing with light mold on wooden furniture that has been painted or stained, likely, the mold is only on the surface. You can remove it by placing the furniture in direct sunlight. You may also clean it with distilled white vinegar, dish detergent, borax, or vodka.

But, to remove mold from wood, begin by vacuuming loose spores with the soft brush attachment. Then use one of the methods below:

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Ways To Prevent Mold From Growing On Floors

Here are some tips on mold prevention. The first is to ventilate your rooms to prevent trapped moisture, which leads to mold growth.

Another tip is to regularly check your roof for leaks or your plumbing system for any issues. Water damage is a serious homeowner concern, and the reparation costs of it can be high.

Lastly, clean the spills as soon as they happen. Spills are inevitable in a household, but they shouldnt lead to mold growth.

Remove From Vinyl Flooring

To remove a growth from vinyl flooring, mix 2 tablespoons of bleach into one quart of warm water in a spray bottle. Shake well. Apply it to the moldy surface on the vinyl flooring.

With gloves and mask on, you will want to dip a scrub brush into the solution to scrub away the surface mold on the vinyl area. You can towel dry when finished.

Rinse the floor to see if any residue remains on the vinyl. If not, you may now mop the floor and dry it very well.

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Cleaning Mold Off Wood Furniture

If youre dealing with mildew on wood furniture protected with paint, the mold is probably only on the surface.

In this case, the mold growth can be removed by exposure to direct sunlight or with cleaning agents like distilled white vinegar, dish detergent, or borax.

That said, the best way to remove nasty mold stains off your comfy reading chair is to use a commercial mold-remover designed specifically for this purpose.

If the mold is particularly stubborn, you can use a diluted bleach solution . Use about two cups of bleach for every gallon of water.

Dont Underestimate The Surface Area

Not every mold problem can be resolved with a DIY spray and a scrubbing brush. For mold growth on surfaces of more than 10 sq. ft., EPAs official recommendations are to hire professional help.

If youre not fully trained in cleaning mold off the wood on a large surface, you might end up creating a bigger problem. You could spread spores to other rooms, damage the wooden surface, or even hurt yourself in the worst-case scenario.

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How To Remove Mold Stains From Wood Floors

This article was co-authored by Filip Boksa. Filip Boksa is the CEO and Founder of King of Maids, a U.S. based home cleaning service that helps clients with cleaning and organization.There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 84% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 273,140 times.

Mold grows on wood floors when it has appropriate moisture, warmth, and food. It can not only stain wood floors, but also move below the surface to discolor, rot, or warp the wood. To keep the mold from spreading, first cut off the source of the moisture. Most surface mold can be removed with a rag and chemical spray. Removing ingrained mold requires figuring out how deeply the mold has grown into the surface of your floor or wall and using the proper method to eliminate all the growth.

How To Remove Mold From Hardwood Floors

• Use dishwashing soap and warm water solution on hardwood floors.
• In a spraying jar, add one teaspoon of dishwashing soap, fill it with water and shake well.
• Spray the places affected on the hardwood floor, Scrub using a soft brush to clean.
• Wipe the surface to remove excess liquid.
• Completely dry the surface.

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Wash Sealed Or Painted Wood

If the mold has grown on painted wood or a sealed wood finish , begin by washing the surface with a liquid dishwashing detergent and water solution. Mix 1 tablespoon of detergent to 1 quart of water. Use a soft-bristled brush to scrub the surface. Try not to saturate the wood, and use a sponge to remove excess water as you clean.

The Spruce / Georgia Lloyd

Why Is My Wood Floor Turning Black

Black wood floors are caused by mold infestation and excessive moisture. Once you spot a different kind of dark spot on your wood floor, the best thing to do is get rid of it as soon as you can.

You might be surprised as to why your wood floor has a black stain on it or as to why your entire floor is suddenly turning black.

If your main question is, why is my wood floor turning black? then stay tuned. This article covers everything you need to know about dark stains on oak wood floors and how to get rid of them quickly.

Contents

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Best Moisture Meter For Hardwood Floors

The General Tools MMD950 Moisture Meter is a pin and pinless deep sensing moisture meter which gives you the option of using pins in direct contact with a surface or using a spherical pinless sensor for a more versatile means of measuring. The meter specializes in detecting moisture content in subfloors and underneath wood flooring.

What To Do If Mold Persists

If the mold stains still remain, the wood surface will need to be sanded to remove the spores that have deeply penetrated the wood. If you are not familiar with wood sanding or refinishing, ask questions at a home improvement store about the right sandpaper grit to use for your situation. After sanding and vacuuming away all of the grit, the wood should be refinished or sealed to help prevent future damage.

The Spruce / Georgia Lloyd

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Detecting Mold On Wood

Humans can easily detect most molds. Seriously, how can you not?

They are smelly and ugly and usually take on a distinct color. What is interesting, though, is that mold starts growing long before humans can detect it.

This implies that your piece of wooden furniture or door can be infested with mold, and you wouldnt suspect a thing until its too late.

How then can you detect this kind of mold growth? First, let us introduce you to a moisture meter.

Well, this meter doesnt detect mold growth it only detects moisture content, which can then correlate to mold growth. If the moisture content in the wood is more than 20%, then its a valuable sign that the wood may be infested with mold.

When detecting the presence of mold, you should also focus on the affected area of your home or office. Check kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and the like. Where you feel moisture and heat can be trapped is a suitable mold-growing spot.

The sure way to detect mold is to have a professional come to your home and do a mold inspection. This will involve taking samples of any visible mold and sending them to a laboratory for analysis. The lab will determine if the mold is harmful and what type of mold it is.