How To Kill Mold On Wood
Mold the ever so annoying problem that we face in bathrooms and basements everywhere. It can happen in any house, in any environment, even after precautions are taken to prevent it. If youve ever faced this issue then you know just how difficult it can be to get rid of mold on wood. Just when you think its under control you spot another growth area that needs to be taken care of. How can we stop mold for good? Will bleach or vinegar to the job better to kill it once and for all? Read on to find out!
Protecting Yourself While Cleaning Moldy Surfaces
When cleaning mold from any surface, wear protective gear to keep yourself safe. Wear a respirator or air mask of some sort during mold removal to prevent mold spores from entering your lungs. Safety goggles and rubber gloves need to be worn at all times when cleaning up the mold to protect you from certain cleaning products, as well as mold spores.
If using bleach, wear protective outer clothing or old clothes as the bleach may cause stains. To remove mold from a large area like one that has a strong, musty smell, or one with extensive water damage, you not only want to wear protective gear, but you also want to take a few extra precautions.
These extra precautions prevent the mold from spreading throughout the rest of the house and will protect you from breathing in the spores and fumes from cleaning products you are using. Use an old box fan to ventilate the area you will be throwing it away when done as the spores are impossible to clean off the fan.
Moisten moldy areas while working, turn off furnaces and air conditioners while working, cover ducts and vents, and always leave your wet/dry vacuum outside double-bag and tape all moldy materials before throwing them in the trash.
Can You Get Mold Out Of Plywood
Aside from specialized mold control chemical products, a simple water-vinegar solution is a less-toxic and effective combination to remove mold from plywood surfaces. Spraying the affected area and letting it sit for an hour, will help to bring the mold to the surface. The wood can then be wiped down with a damp cloth followed by a dry, and the area kept dry and well-ventilated to inhibit regrowth.
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White Mold On Basement Wood
White mold on basement wood is another common occurrence since basements tend to be quite damp and warm, allowing mold to thrive. The ease of tackling white mold in a basement depends on the size of the area affected and the severity of the growth.
White mold will eat away at the wood itself, making it much weaker and more susceptible to breaking.
This may eventually lead to the wood collapsing, potentially injuring a person or damaging any items stored in the basement.
So, how should you tackle it?
- Assuming its a small to moderately sized infestation, you will be able to get rid of the white mold using either vinegar or baking soda and water. We would recommend using vinegar as it can soak through to the lower layers of the wood, ensuring the entire colony of mold is killed off.
- Make sure to wear some protective gloves while using vinegar, and to get as many windows open as possible to keep the basement aired out.
- You should contact a professional if the mold growth spans more than just a meter or two in your basement to ensure your safety.
How can you prevent the White mold from returning?
- As with furniture, simply using vinegar on the affected area should be a great way of preventing the white mold from returning, especially if you let it seep into the deepest parts of the wood.
- You should try your best to keep the basement well ventilated, and potentially invest in some dehumidifiers to control moisture levels.
Keep The Mold At Bay For Good
With this post, I hope you have succeeded at how to remove mold from wood and keep your furniture spotlessly clean. Mold is such a nuisance, so theres no point compromising with it. Remove it as soon as you see the very first spores on the surface.
Enjoying my post so far? If so, dont be shy to link it to your loved ones that are experiencing a rough time with mold. And, if youd like to contribute any tips or tricks, just comment below, and Ill be more than happy to read them. I wish you luck with the work!
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How Can You Tell If Its Mold
First we need to get back to basics and define what mold is. By definition Mold isa growth of fungus that occurs on food or in a home or other moist warm conditions. This is why basements and bathrooms are the most susceptible to mold growth and the most common areas people have difficulty killing it.
If something looks off around your floors or walls like different colors or textures, its time to figure out what it is and how to get rid of it.
A mildewed surface is often difficult to distinguish from a dirty one. To test for mold and mildew and how to tell if your house has mold, simply dab a few drops of household bleach on the blackened area. If it lightens after one to two minutes, you have mildew. If the area remains dark, you probably have dirt.
How To Prevent Mildew
- Add a dehumidifier to your home. Its best to keep indoor humidity levels between 30-50% to stop build-up. Check out our recommendations.
- Avoid storing linens, books, or furniture in your basement or attic if they’re known to get damp.
- Always open the bathroom door after showering to allow moisture out.
- Seal bathroom grout lines every year if you have tiling. This will help waterproof your tub.
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Does Vinegar Kill White Mold On Wood
Vinegar can be a quite good solution for white mold if used properly. Since its a mild acid, it can kill a large percentage of mold species experts estimate around 82%.
Wiping surfaces down with vinegar can even prevent future mold outbreaks on wood, though other factors like humidity and temperature can largely affect that.
To kill white mold on wood with vinegar, cover the affected area with vinegar and let it sit there for about 60 minutes before trying to scrub or wipe it.
Depending on the amount of mold present and the severity of the growth, you may need to wait longer or re-apply the vinegar.
How Can You Prevent The Appearance Of Mold
The best solution against mold is its prevention. The mold is not neglected and you must do everything possible to prevent its occurrence in the home.
There are a few simple methods by which you can keep your mold away from your home:
- ventilate the rooms: it is advisable to ventilate the rooms at least twice a day to eliminate the moisture accumulated inside the house. The bath is one of the places predisposed to the appearance of mold due to the increased humidity, so after each shower it is advisable to leave the window open or, as the case may be, to start the ventilation for a few minutes.
- controls humidity: humidity can be controlled using a room hygrometer that indicates the humidity level. The recommended humidity value should be between 30% and 50%, lower in summer and higher in winter. You can keep humidity under control and at the same time to surround your home with plants that absorb moisture: fern, ivy or chamaedorea .
- waterproofing: if waterproofing is done correctly, it can prevent mold from appearing inside the home. There are many types of materials that are used for waterproofing and it is recommended that this be done by a specialist so as to remove the problem of water infiltration through the walls.
- do not dry the laundry inside: evaporation of water inside the house will increase the humidity level. It is advisable to dry the laundry in an open or well-ventilated space
- frozen sticks: a modern solution against mold is the use of these frozen sticks.
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Choose The Right Cleaning Solution
There are several commercial products available to address mold issues. These are premixed so you dont have to go through the process of mixing different solutions. However, make sure that you use the right cleaning solution to address your unique mold problem. For instance, in getting rid of fungus from painted or finished wood, mild cleaning solutions are great options. There is no need to kill the mold, just remove it. But for unfinished wood, mold typically penetrates below its surface, the solution has 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
- warm water and liquid detergent mixture
- premixed or commercial mold removal product
Unfinished wood:
- warm water, Bleach and detergent solution
- Sodium borate or Borax and water
- Distilled vinegar
- Rubbing alcohol
- Premixed or commercial mold removal product
Please be aware that bleach is not absorbed by the wood. It only inhibits or kills mold spores that appear on the surface of the wood. You should use commercial products for mold that is inside the wood, as those products have additives that allow absorption into the wood fibers. This additive is called surfactant.
What Causes White Mold On Wood
Just like other types of mold, the most important factors are high temperatures, high levels of moisture, and an organic, carbon-rich material to act as a food source for the mold.
This means that places like basements are at a greater risk of white mold growth since they can often be quite damp and warm, especially during the summer months.
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Prepping To Clean The Mold
How To Stop Mold Growth In House
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Can Bleach Kill Mold
Bleach may remove surface mold, but it will not tackle the penetrating mold in a porous surface such as wood, and therefore the root mold will not be killed. Bleach can also lead to your wooden surface being discolored, and the chemical also gives off toxic fumes. Thus, we do not recommend you use it to kill mold on wood. Other natural chemicals are less toxic and will do a better job at killing mold.
White Mold On Concrete
Previously, we have found that salt deposit or efflorescence is a common occurrence on concrete, and it is often hard to distinguish from a mold.
However, you should not neglect the risk of mold growth. Efflorescence is caused by moisture that carries salt from inside the concrete structure. Therefore, efflorescence is an indication of moisture problems, which can lead to actual mold growth.
Also, even though the white deposit on your concrete is a salt deposit and not mold, it can still bring problems. The presence of efflorescence is often a sign of high acidity level in the soil. It can lead to slow corrosion on your concrete.
Whether it is the salt deposit or white mold, it is just the same, because they can damage your property and lower its market value.
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Mold Inspection Network Diy Mold Testing Kit
As mold can be so harmful to ones health, understandably, you would want to check if there is any mold in your home. This DIY test kit allows you to check for a mold without having to hire a professional mold inspector. The kit will also provide you with a detailed lab report and an expert consultation to advise you on your results.
Is Bleach Or Vinegar Better To Kill Mold On Wood
A common household solutioin of one part distilled white vinegar to one part warm water may help eliminate up to 80% of mold species. Leave the solution to dry for one hour, then wipe with a damp cloth, followed by a dry cloth.
Bleach is not recommended to be used in routine mold cleanup. Though it may appear to clean the area of mold, bleach typically will not be able to penetrate into wood. Only the water will be absorbed potentially leading to further mold growth. That being said, there may be some instances when professional judgement may indicate the use of bleach.
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This Is A Picture Of The Bunk Beds In My Home The Exterior Walls Are Made Of Concrete Blocks The House Is A Riverfront Property But The House Is More Than 50 Yards From The Water It Is Only About 1000 Square Feet House Has Been Closed About Two Months I Filed A Claim With My Insurance Who Had Me Pay For A Company To Come Out And Test For Dampness He Said I Had No Water Leaks And That The Humid Levels Were Normal I Bought A 50 Pint Dehumidifier And The Relative Humidity Stays Around 68 To 70 In The Hallway The Company Said This Is Most Likely Not Mold Which Means We Are Doing Our Own Clean Up I Get A Headache When I Go In The House And We Cannot Live There I Cant Breath Cant Stop Sweating And Get Excruciating Headaches It Is Growing On All Of The Furniture On The Inside Of The Kitchen Cabinets On The Wrought Iron On The Cloth Furniture And Even In The Pool Table I Bought A Fogger Machine And The Mold And Mildew Liquid To Put In It We Fogged From The Top In The Attic Space To Every Room In The House We Are Wiping All Surfaces I Bought A Mold Kit From Lowes And Will Be Sending It In To See What It Really Is That Is Growing In There My Grandson Has Asthma And Just To Go In To Use The Bathroom Had Him Winded/sick In Your Professional Opinion Is This A Type Of Mold I Am Also Allergic To Mold Fungus Etc Per The Results Of My Environmental Allergy Test It Doesnt Make Sense To Keep Paying For A House That We Cant Live In Oh This House Dont Have A Crawl Space I Can Send Additional Pictures Thanks For Any Help You Can Give
This is almost certainly mold growth. Occasionally a white substance can occur due to efflorescence, but this only happens on masonry, concrete, etc. The widespread pattern of growth indicates high humidity throughout the room. This can be caused by poor ventilation, inadequate air conditioning or a flooding event. If there are no signs of a flooding event, its due to humidity. In regards to the insurance companys claim the humidity levels are normal, this could simply be due to the timing of the inspection. Its quite possible the growth occurred during a high humidity period but the levels had returned to normal the day the insurance adjuster visited the home. Mold growth will become inactive when the humidity/moisture levels return to normal, but the visible growth will not disappear.
Verifying whether or not the substance is mold growth can be accomplished with a simple tape lift sample. Any local inspector or lab should be able to accomplish this for a small fee.
Assuming the testing results come back positive, the extent of the growth warrants professional remediation/cleaning. The hard surface items, such as the wood bed frame, can be damp wiped with a mildicide. Porous items such as cloth furniture and the pool table will require HEPA vacuuming, and if unsuccessful, replacement.
