“Eww! That’s gross!” is the average reaction elicited after one stumbles upon a repulsive patch of mold. Mold even thrives on surfaces that we make contact with on a regular basis. Thus, it must be removed as soon as possible to prevent unpleasant consequences. In warm and moist environments, organic materials like leather and natural fibers serve as breeding grounds for mold. Wooden furniture is equally prone to astounding invasions of mildew. When wood or lumber are exposed to moisture, mold develops and spreads by the dozen. Cleaning small amounts of mold from wood is nowhere as complicated as getting rid of large amounts! Therefore, preventive measures such as routine cleaning and eliminating the source of moisture must be taken to ensure that your house and wooden objects are devoid of mold. Remember that mold spores multiply in no time and have a mysterious knack for reappearing over and over. Make your life simpler as you follow the steps to cleaning mold from wood in this article.
Cleaning Mold From Wood
Materials Required
- Rubber Gloves
- Chlorine Bleach
- Wood Cleaner
- 3 Washcloths
- Goggles
- High-Quality Dusk Mask
- Scrubbing Brush
- Water
- Mild Detergent
Method
- The moment you spot even a fine hint of mold such as a damp sensation or the musty odor that inevitably links to the presence of mold, it’s time to get started! Put on your rubber gloves, dust mask and goggles to prevent the chemicals from hurting you.
- Create a solution made of 3 parts water and 1 part mild detergent. Take a clean, spongy washcloth and soak it in this solution. Squeeze the washcloth till it’s almost dry and start wiping the wooden surfaces. Remove every trace of mold as you do so.
- Be patient. Don’t wipe large portions in a hurry. Dedicate a little time as you wipe small areas till they are spick and span. Once you’re done, grab another fresh washcloth and dip in plain water. Wipe the surfaces with this and follow this up with a new dry cloth to thoroughly dry the surface. Don’t move on to the other area, until you have ensured that the present area is completely dry.
- When you notice white, greasy film on it, your next best option is to purchase a wood cleaner. You will observe a buildup of wax, which you must clean to prevent the mold from reappearing. Since your wooden furniture now lacks its protective wax cover, remember to coat it with a thin layer of paste wax.
- Make a new solution as you fill in 5 parts water and 1 part chlorine bleach. Use this solution to scrub the affected wooden area and clean the mold that has been growing under the finish. Rinse this area well with plain water and dry properly. Do not let the bleach come in contact with the finished surfaces.
- Expose the wooden surfaces to an adequate quota of sunlight. A few hours of sunlight contributes in eliminating the source of mold since aids in oxidation. Choose to implement the cleaning process on day with strong sunlight and minimal humidity. Provide air flow around the wood to encourage faster drying.
Cleaning mold from wood is not that challenging after all! Hope this article did answer all the queries in your head. Good luck!