How to Safely Clean Mold Off Wood in 5 Steps

It’s always a frightening shock when mold appears. Particularly on porous surfaces like wood where it can be difficult to remove.

The main culprit behind mold in wood is moisture. You may find mold on wooden furniture, floors, window frames, cabinets, paneling, and in attics. Basically, anywhere in the home you’ve got wood and a high level of prolonged humidity. Some molds are harmless, but most that you’re likely to encounter in the home are bad for your health. 

In this article, we'll explain how to remove mold from wood using safe techniques and we’ll take a look at the different kinds of mold you may encounter on wood. 

If you need assistance keeping wooden items in your home clean, consider booking a professional, reasonably priced cleaner with Homeaglow.

What’s required to clean mold off wood

You need these materials and equipment to clean mold off wood around the home.

• Rubber gloves
• Safety goggles 
• Wood cleaner 
• Distilled white vinegar 
• Spray bottle 
• Sponge 
• Sandpaper 
• Measuring equipment (cups/spoons)
• Soft cloth 
• Protective mask 
• Soft scrub brush 
• Water
• Dishwashing detergent 
• Vacuum cleaner with HEPA filter

How to clean mold off wood

A pro tip for cleaning mold off wood is to place mold-infested wood outside before you begin cleaning (if it’s portable) to prevent the spores from spreading and infesting other wood. If the wood is not removable, use plastic sheeting to protect other areas and close the doors. 

Step 1:  Wear protective clothing 

Molds can be dangerous if inhaled or ingested, so be sure to protect yourself before cleaning. Wear goggles, a protective mask (one that covers your nose and mouth), and rubber gloves.

Step 2: Wipe mold off wood

This step is to remove any surface mold from the wood. For painted wood or varnished wood, you can use more moisture than for raw wood.

• Start by wiping the surface with a cleaning solution. To make this solution, mix 1 tbsp of your preferred dishwashing detergent with 1 quart of water. 
• Then, take your soft-bristled brush and scrub the surface. 

Be careful not to saturate the wood with water. Instead, use a sponge to soak up excess water as you clean the wood. 

Step 3: Disinfect the surface with distilled vinegar 

This step ensures that mold on the wood’s surface is killed.

• Mix equal parts of vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle and spray on the mold. 
• Leave the solution on the mold for up to an hour and then wipe it off.
• Repeat until the mold is no longer visible. Keep in mind that wood may remain stained.  
• Dry with a soft cloth. 

Step 4: Clean tough mold with borax 

For tough mold, borax is the best solution. It is safe to use on tough mold instead of bleach, which can feed mold growth as it breaks down. 

• Mix 1 tbsp of borax with 1 cup of water in a bowl. 
• Apply this solution to the tough mold with a soft brush and scrub, ensuring the borax solution penetrates the wood. This helps to prevent future mold growth. 
• Next, turn on your fan or dehumidifier to ensure the surface of the wood dries completely.

Step 5: Sanding 

The above steps should help clean mold off the wood. However, you may need to sand the wood to remove staining and very deep mold. Sanding the wood will remove the spores which have deeply penetrated the wood. 

• Use 100-grit sandpaper for sanding the mold-affected area. 
• Be careful not to sand away too much of the surrounding areas so you don't destroy the wood. 
• Afterward, vacuum all of the grit. 
• Next, refinish or seal the wood to prevent future damage. 

Why mold grows on wood

Like most living organisms, mold requires air and water. Mold grows on wood because of its porous surface, which provides a viable environment for mold spores to grow. 

Also, wood absorbs water which provides the moisture that mold requires. When a mold spore lands on wood in a humid environment, there's a high chance that it will start growing into mold. 

Types of mold that grow on wood

There are various types of mold. These three are common around the house and are worth watching out for.

1. Black mold

Black mold is the most common type and can be found on various surfaces. It's often referred to as the most toxic mold that evokes severe allergic reactions and diseases affecting the respiratory tract and the nervous system. 

Black mold affects damp walls, concrete, brick, wallpaper, paint, wood, and plaster. It appears on these surfaces because they contain the same nutritional elements on the surface of mineral materials. Some common places black mold grow in residential apartments' are kitchens, pools, and bathroom floor grouts. A common indicator of mold is a musty smell around the house.

2. White mold

This powdery fungus consists of different fungal species, which can appear on surfaces as white or grey, depending on the surface material. White mold grows well on surfaces with high moisture, like leaky walls, showers, basements, etc. 

In extreme cases, this type of mold can damage the structure of a building by eating away at the foundation. It also causes various health issues like allergic reactions, dizziness, irritations, headaches, and respiratory infections in humans.  

3. Green mold

Green mold refers to various species of fungi that grow in shades of green. It is soft and powdery and can have different green hues. While they are commonly known to appear on food, they also grow well in wet areas of homes. Unfortunately, green mold is toxic and poses a health hazard to humans. 

Dangers of mold on wood

1. The biggest danger of mold in wood is to human health. When it enters the respiratory system mold can cause coughing, exacerbate allergies or asthmatic diseases, cause itchy eyes, cause hay fever, create nasal congestion, cause rashes, cause disorientation, and bring about other breathing problems. At the same time, pathogenic mold can cause severe illnesses for those with weakened immune systems. When inhaled, touched, or ingested, mold can also cause skin irritation, nail issues, cancer or liver damage, and hormonal or nervous system disorders. It’s not good to have around the house. 
2. Mold eats into the wood pores which can result in rot. This will deteriorate your wooden or fixtures over time, damage buildings, and potentially endanger people when it breaks.
3. Mold on wood can cause it to become slippery, which can lead to injury. Think of wooden staircases, decks, and entryways.

How to prevent mold from growing on wood in the first place

Keeping your surroundings dry is the safest course of action since mold loves moist environments. To do this, open windows to let in fresh air and use fans or dehumidifiers.  Should any wood become damp, put it outside in the sun straight away or preventatively clean it with vinegar, as described above. 

Clean mold from wooden surfaces with confidence

Mold removal is a relatively straightforward process as long as you take the correct precautions, like a face mask and gloves. Of course, prevention is better than cure, so try to keep your home dry and moisture free.

If you’d like any help keeping the wooden surfaces in your home clean, book a professional, affordable cleaner in your area on Homeaglow.