How To Remove Black Mold From Wood

In this article, we’ll be discussing how to treat both toxic and harmless black mold on wood.

There are so many species of mold known to man and each of them is as problematic as you can imagine. In the right conditions (damp and dark), they can grow on pretty much any surface.

Expert Black Mold Removal From Wood

One of the biggest issues with mold is that its spores keep flying all over the place in search of a suitable environment to land in. And this is why you can find spores everywhere.

• Dangerous Black Mold On Wood

One mold species that can easily grow on your wooden structure is black mold. When the wood is moist for long periods, then you can be sure there will be black mold growing there.

Wooden structures commonly affected by black mold growth are the ones located in rooms where there is flowing water. These include your kitchen and bathroom.

Thanks to leaking pipes, your kitchen cabinet, boards, and shelves can be affected by black mold.

If you’re having this problem, then you should keep reading.

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What Causes Black Mold On Wood Furniture?

Your furniture can become a good home for mold if the humidity levels are at 60% or higher. In such conditions, mold can easily thrive, and it can begin growing in as little as 48 hours.

The more humidity your furniture is exposed to, the more mold growth there will be.

What Kills Black Mold On Wood?

There are a good number of household products that can kill black mold on wood. These include the following –

• Borax
• White vinegar
• Baking soda
• Bleach

It is worth mentioning that even though bleach can kill black mold, it may not be best for moldy wood. This is because it can only kill the mold found on the wooden surface.

As for the mold deep inside, bleach can’t really do much, since the chlorine found in bleach doesn’t have a good penetrating power.

If you use bleach on wood, you may think the problem has been solved, since the surface mold has disappeared.

However, the ones inside will survive and can spread back to the surface later.

How To Clean Mold From Wood

In some instances, the black mold would’ve infested the wood so badly that the only viable option is to replace the wood. Replacement will cost you a decent sum of money, but you have to count your losses and move on.

Just ensure that you take preventive measures after you have treated your home for black mold so they don’t infest your precious wood again.

Now follow these steps to remove black mold from your wood. Keep in mind that the measures you take will depend on the severity of the black mold infestation.

1. Protect Yourself

Mold is considered to be a health hazard, and for good reasons too. They can be harmful when inhaled or ingested, and they can also cause irritations to the skin when direct contact is made.

That aside, mold is also known to complicate respiratory problems like asthma, so taking protective measures is advised.

You will need to put on a pair of rubber gloves to keep your fingers from making contact with the black mold. A pair of goggles and a facemask will also keep mold particles from touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

You can take the next step after you are sure that you are well protected.

2. Take The Moldy Wood Outside

If the affected wooden structure can be moved, then you should do the cleaning outside. This is because there is more than enough air outdoors, and an abundance of sunlight.

These two can help your wood dry faster, and the sun’s ultraviolet rays can actually kill the mold.

However, if the affected wood cannot be moved, then you’d have to do the cleaning inside.

3. Vacuum The Area

Before you apply any cleaning solution to the wood, be sure to vacuum the area first. You would want to go over the wood itself and the areas around it.

This will suck up all the loose mold spores around the area and reduce their population. Ensure that all you have sucked up is tightly enclosed in a plastic bag so none of the spores can get free.

Take the content of the vacuum cleaner outside and dispose of them correctly. After doing this, proceed to the next step.

4. Clean Off The Mold With Soap And Water

If the mold hasn’t gone too deep into the wood, then you can clean it off the wooden surface. You can buy a commercial mold killer/remover to do this, or whip up a simple solution at home.

If you opt for the second choice, then here’s how you make the solution using dishwashing soap and warm water.

First, you add some water into a spray bottle, then add a teaspoon of the liquid soap into it. Give it a thorough shake so you get a good mix, then aim and squeeze at the affected parts of the wood.

Since you’re treating wood, you should use a soft-bristled brush to scrub the mold away.

Using a hard brush would leave your wood scarred. You can also use a sponge to soak up and discharge any excess liquid along the way.

4. Dry The Surface With A Towel

After cleaning with soap and a brush, you can wipe the wood dry with a towel. Make sure it is well dried to eliminate moisture.

The thicker the towel you use in drying, the more moisture will be absorbed.

As a backup measure, keep your windows open and your fans on to allow some air to come in. Doing this will help the wood dry faster.

5. Use White Vinegar

As we mentioned earlier, the cleaning approach you take will depend on the severity of the black mold infestation on your wood.

If the liquid dishwashing soap and water combination doesn’t work, then you need to pull out the big guns. In this case, I’m talking about distilled white vinegar.

White vinegar is known to kill over 80% of the mold species known to man, and it can be used to kill black mold on wood.

To make a white vinegar solution, mix equal parts vinegar with warm water and pour into a spray bottle. Spray across the infestation then leave it for about an hour to dry.

The next step would be to wipe it down with a dry towel, and that should do the trick!

Take a good look at the wood to make sure you got all the mold out. If you didn’t, then you can repeat the process, and if there’s still some mold remaining, then follow the next step.

6. Use Borax

For more stubborn black mold, you can try some borax to get rid of it. Borax is an alkaline mineral salt that effectively treats stubborn mold stains. It is actually safer to use than bleach and is great for removing mold from wooden furniture.

What you need to do is mix a tablespoon of borax with a cup of water. Stir thoroughly to get the right blend, then apply the solution to the area affected by the mold.

Use a soft brush to scrub off the stubborn mold, but don’t sponge away the excess liquid. Leaving it to dry on its own will mean the solution has more time to sink in and kill the mold. The remnants of the solution will also prevent future mold growth.

Keep your fans and dehumidifier on so the wooden surface can dry, while the borax itself remains deep under the surface.

7. Sanding Mold From Wood If Need Be

The treatments suggested above should be enough to get rid of the mold on your wood, but there’s something else you can try, just to be sure – Sanding the wood!

The good thing about sanding your wood after treatment is that it can get rid of the stubborn stains the mold has left behind. It can also scrape off any small patches left-right underneath the surface.

You can use 100-grit sandpaper for this. Be careful while you sand so you won’t scrape off too much of the surrounding areas.

When you’re done, you can use a vacuum cleaner to suck up all the unwanted dust, as well as the mold spores left behind.

All this should do the trick, but as we have mentioned before, you might need to consider replacing the wooden furniture if the black mold infestation is severe and has damaged the wood beyond saving.

Preventing Mold Growth On Wooden Furniture

Treating a black mold infestation on your wood isn’t difficult, but only if the infestation can still be managed. To ensure it doesn’t happen again, follow these tips.

• Use dehumidifiers
• Keep your rooms properly ventilated (especially rooms with high water usage)
• Fix all leakages and water problems

Conclusion

Black mold removal from wood can be done all by yourself. Just follow the tips provided here and your wooden furniture should be in good shape again.

We hope this has been helpful.

Thanks for reading!