Understanding The Different Types Of Mold
The three most common types of mold can be identified by their color black, white and green. There are significant differences between these three species of molds. Therefore its a good idea to have an understanding about each of them so that you know the severity of your mold problem.
Black Mold
Many types of mold can be black and are harmless. However, one of the most dangerous types of black mold is Stachybotrys chartarum.
Because it releases mycotoxins, exposure to this black mold can cause serious health issues. Exposure to these can also lead to respiratory problems as well as headaches and more . So if you notice signs of this type of mold on your wood surfaces, you should take action as quickly as possible.
Black mold needs more moisture than other types of mold in order to grow. As a result, its more likely to be found in damp places or in areas where theres been a flood or water leak .
Unfortunately, this type of mold has deeper roots than the other types of mold. Naturally, this makes it harder to get rid of, especially if it has infested porous surfaces like wood.
White Mold
White mold has a powdery, stringy appearance and is not toxic. However, a moldy environment within the home can still cause health issues for you and your family.
Green Mold
Green mold can be harmful. Although not quite as dangerous as black mold, it can still cause medical problems. So you should ensure that you get rid of it as soon as you see any signs of growth.
How Do You Kill Mold On Wood
To cut down on the risk that moldposes, you should plan to remove it as soon as it is spotted. Before getting down to removing the mold, it is essential to know whether you will need to call in a professional. Experts recommend that you call in a professional mold remover if the mold covers 10 square feet or more of the wood surface. The remover will make an assessment and advise you on whether the wood is salvageable or if it needs removal, and if so, how to dispose of it properly.
Mold growing in crawl spaces or areas with poor ventilation will also require a professional remover. If you have allergies or respiratory complications, it would also be best to call in an expert.
However, if you plan to remove the mold from the wood surface, below is a step-by-step guide on how you can safely remove it from wood.
Step 1: Preparations
When dealing with mold, the first and most crucial step is to ensure your safety. Inhaling or ingesting mold can lead to severe health concerns. Get protective gear to use and observe all the necessary safety precautions.
If you are dealing with moldy walls or furniture indoors, you will also need to keep the areas you are working on cordoned off. Remember that mold spores are airborne, and it is prudent to make sure that they do not spread indiscriminately around the house or to other wooden surfaces. Ensure that you cover up all the air ducts leading into the room with tape and cover the doorway with plastic sheeting.
Step 2: Vacuum
Myth #: Mold Testing Is Critical
Surprisingly, this isnt the case. Mold testing gives you a snapshot of the quantity and type of mold present. But all types of mold need to be removed, so its not essential to identify the type. Also, there are no health-based safety standards for mold levels, so testing doesnt necessarily give valuable information, and its expensive.
The first step in mold remediation is learning how to remove mold and perform black mold removal.
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How Do You Remove Mold From Wooden Furniture
Apart from being a health risk, mold on your wood produces unsightly discolorations that reduce your wood furniture appeal. Whether the furniture is indoors or outdoors, mold spores are likely to get on them and grow into the mold with the right conditions.
The procedure for removing mold from your wood furniture is generally almost the same as removing mold from other wooden surfaces.
Step 1: Protection
Protective clothing will help keep you safe from the health risks associated with ingesting and inhaling spores.
Step 2: Take it outdoors.
Unlike wooden fixtures in the house, you can easily carry out most furniture. Removing mold outside will not only eliminate the risk of spores flying from the furniture to other areas in the house, but it will also save you a lot of time and effort by eliminating the need to close off the room and thoroughly vacuum the surrounding area.
Step 3: Clean the mold off
Use any of the solutions above that will be the most effective to clean up the affected areas. It would be best to consider the final finish of the furniture you are cleaning to know which solution works best and which finish you need to handle carefully.
Step 4: Drying
After cleaning off the mold, let the furniture dry completely to minimize the recurrence chances due to leftover moisture.
Benefits Of Hiring Professional Mold Remediators
- They discover all of the mold in your place visible and hidden mold
- They have the proper equipment to remove all of the mold and mold spores in a speedy and efficient manner.
- They can find and eliminate the source of mold even in porous materials.
- They can make sure the future growth of mold is prevented.
- They repair any damage and thoroughly clean the contaminated space.
- They are quick and efficient they can also save you time and money but making sure all of the mold is removed the first time
If you have mold in your home and dont want to take the time to try and do it yourself or simply want to make sure it is done correctly the first time, give Home Healthy Homes a call for your mold remediation needs.
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Correspondingly How Do You Remove Mildew From Antique Wood Furniture
An excellent solution on how to clean mildew off antique wood furniture is hydrogen peroxide. Dampen a piece of cloth with hydrogen peroxide and blot the areas where the mildew appears. Peroxide is an excellent solution because it is safer than bleach and other chemicals.
an effective mold killerMaybe You Like:
Removing Mold From Wood With Vinegar
You will want to use regular distilled white vinegar. Not apple cider vinegar. You could also use what is called cleaning vinegar found in most home improvement stores, its simply a bit higher acidity. Either of them will do the job just the same.
You will want to have enough vinegar to cover the area you are working with. The gallon it usually comes in should be more than enough. Make sure that the room you are cleaning is blocked off so that any airborne mold doesnt escape to another room causing another issue.
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How To Clean Mildew From Wood Furniture
- How to Clean Mildew From Wood Furniture
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Wondering how to clean mildew from wood furniture quickly and safely without damaging the wood? Look no further!
Mildew on your wood furniture doesnt just look bad, it can be detrimental to your furniture and your health if its not addressed.
Heres exactly how to clean mildew from wood furniture.
Allergies and respiratory issues are fairly common to those who come into contact with mold or mildew, so be sure to wear gloves during the cleaning process, and, if necessary, a mask.
When To Hire A Professional
If the mold is caught early and only covers a small area, you should be able to remove it with household cleaners. For extensive mold problemsespecially those in poorly ventilated areas, such as crawlspacesor for anyone with mold allergies or a compromised respiratory system, consider hiring a professional.
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Reader Question: How Should We Clean Moldy Wood Framing In Our New Home
We are building a new home, the wood framing has mold, the walls are still open. How should the builder clean or remove the mold? – Linda Lewis 4/7/2013
Reply:
Thanks for the question Linda.
If the mold is ONLY the cosmetic black mold that we describe
at BLACK COSMETIC MOLD then it really is only cosmetic and could be left in place.
There are two difficulties with this:
- First you may have trouble recognizing the cosmetic mold I describe in that article, though sometimes the growth patterns make it clear. To address this you could spend roughly $50. to send a representative tape sample of the mold to a mold test lab for confirmation.
- Second, while the black mold I describe is indeed harmless on framing lumber and virtually always came in on the lumber from the lumber yard, also one wants toWatch out: in some cases, particularly on lumber that has been wet, or on treated lumber, my own field and lab tests have found Aspergillus sp. and Penicillium sp. growing among the harmless black mold.
So we might want to clean the lumber.
I tend to stay away from labor intensive approaches and from incomplete approaches . Keep us posted and send along some photos if you can as what you learn may help others.
This article series includes advice on cleaning mold found on surfaces of un-finished wooden building materials such as framing lumber , and building roof, wall, and floor sheathing such as plywood, tongue-and groove pine boards, and other structural wood surfaces in buildings.
What Kind Of Vinegar Should You Use
First, save the apple cider vinegar for salad dressing. To clean mold, use regular white distilled vinegar, typically sold with five percent acidity. You can also use cleaning vinegar with its six percent acidity. Both are effective at killing mold. Generic brands are as effective as name brands. Cleaning vinegar is sold online and at many home improvement, discount and grocery stores.
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Preventing Mold From Returning
How To Remove Mold From Untreated Wood
Related Articles
Mold can be found outside and inside homes, on cut lumber, in heating and air conditioning systems and on plants, paper, insulation, carpeting and wood. Not only is mold unattractive and smelly but mold can also cause some real health problems, so using mold killer is always a good idea. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mold spores can grow on damp surfaces as well as dry ones and can be harder to eradicate on certain materials, like untreated wood.
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Causes Of Black Mold Growth
In order for mold to grow on any surface, but especially wood, moisture must be present. In homes and other buildings, moisture build up can be caused by many different things. If you have a large household, you have a better chance of finding the black fungus when we breath we give off moisture. Additionally, hot showers and even cooking can contribute to the moisture-level in homes. However, moisture build-up can also occur from certain malfunctions in your home. Black mold can show up after youve had a leaky roof or pipes as any moisture that is trapped can turn into black mold.
Professionals Standing By To Assist
The step-by-step instructions above show how to remove mold from wood surfaces in your home. Often, this is a minor job that you can take care of using household cleaning solutions. Even larger tasks with more severe types of mold growth can be manageable on your own.
When dealing with higher levels of mold growth, it is crucial to wear the right protective gear to protect yourself. Also, be sure you clean surfaces in a way that effectively kills mold but does not damage the wood surface. As long as you work carefully and follow the steps above, you should be able to effectively clean mold that appears on the mold in your home.
With that said, some jobs require a professional. If mold growth is particularly deep, you may need to have floors and walls replaced in your home. Also, if you suffer from allergies or respiratory issues, it may be smart to hire professional help.
When in doubt, call the experts. Call All Dry USA for a mold restoration company that will take care of the job safely and professionally.
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Removing Mold From Wood Floors And Ceilings
If you have surface mold on your wood floor or ceiling, your first step needs to be identifying the source of the mold. This means that youll need to look for any signs of water damage that may have caused the mold.
Then, youll need to clear away any furniture in the room. This helps to expose the entire area that has been affected by mold.
Next, prepare a spray bottle of vinegar, dishwashing soap and water. Spray on the affected area, allow it to sit for 10 minutes and wipe with a cloth. This will kill any live mold before it spreads.
Make sure to wipe the area with a clean, wet cloth to remove any solution once the mold is gone. Once the floor has completely dried, you can put furniture back in place. However, we recommend that you check the area over the next few weeks to ensure that the mold has not returned.
If the mold has penetrated the wood floor or ceiling, you can try using either hydrogen peroxide or a professional chemical solution. Apply to the affected wood and let the solution soak in for a few minutes, then use a hard bristle brush and scrub the mold.
Keep In Mind
How To Get Rid Of Mold On Wood Method # 2
Using a cloth and chemical solution is effective at removing mold from wood when the mold is simply sitting on the surface however, method number one is not effective when the mold appears to have penetrated deep within the floor boards.
Follow the steps below when the mold has grown deeper into the surface of your floors.
Should you suspect that you have a mold problem in your home beyond just a small amount, its crucial to take this very seriously. Mold spores can be very hazardous to your health when left untreated.
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Remove Existing Mold From Wood
Once you’ve stopped mold from spreading onto other surfaces, like the new bookcase I bought at 10 p.m. in a panic, you’ll need to kill the original source.
