Mildew and mold are often used interchangeably; however, mildew typically refers to a specific type of mold that grows flat. Mold thrives on organic matter, including clothing, paper, ceilings, and wooden surfaces. This article addresses how to remove mildew from wood surfaces.
Mildew thrives in any location with oxygen, moisture, and organic material. A mold infestation starts with mold spores growing on porous surfaces. Successful mold remediation involves thoroughly cleaning surface mold and spores that penetrate wood to prevent mold growth.
Because you can develop a mold problem on various surfaces in and outside your house, the methods to clean mold from wood around your house may vary. Any residue left on wooden surfaces after mold removal allows mold to grow again once the humidity rises. The habit of mildew reforming on previously cleaned areas may require regular cleanings to eliminate a mold problem.
Types of Mold to Remove From Wood
Depending on the type of wood, you could have different types of mold to clean. Green mold resembles algae and is common on outdoor furniture. White mold is a powdery fungus that changes color depending on the surface it grows on and is found in basements and crawl spaces.
One of the most well-known types of mold is black mold which grows on wood, cotton, and paper products. This mold is hazardous because it can produce dangerous toxins if inhaled or consumed.
Tips for Cleaning Mold From Wood
To avoid mold taking over, remove mildew with a DIY wood cleaner at the first sign. Because the health risks of mold growing on outdoor furniture are not as high, yearly patio furniture cleaning effectively keeps the growth under control.
It’s best to wear protective clothing any time you come in contact with mold. Protecting your skin is essential to avoid spilling cleaning products on yourself, and masks prevent you from inhaling mold spores during the cleaning process. If you have a vacuum equipped with a HEPA filter, use it to capture spores before cleaning.
Removing Mildew From Wood With Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a safe alternative for cleaning mold and mildew without damaging wood floors or harming the environment if used outdoors. Mix peroxide with water in a spray bottle to clean mold spores around the house.
After mixing the ingredients, spray the solution directly onto the mold and leave it for ten minutes. Use a sponge to clean the mold or rinse the space with fresh water when cleaning small areas.
How to Get Mildew Off Wood With Homemade Cleaner
If you need a quick cleanser to remove mold or mildew, skip commercial items like Mold Armor. Follow our easy ways of removing mold from wood furniture, like using laundry detergent and water. When choosing a detergent, use one that promotes its ability to kill fungus and dirt.
Combine the supplies in a bucket or sprayer with a scrub brush attachment to apply and clean the siding or decks outside.
Is Vinegar the Best Way to Remove Mildew From Wood?
Vinegar is a naturally acidic liquid that is helpful for various cleaning jobs due to its ability to dissolve buildup. When removing green mold from a wood deck with vinegar, the liquid seeps into the wood to kill mold at its source, allowing you to clean the surface mold and eliminate its roots simultaneously.
Pour white and water in equal parts into a 16-ounce spray bottle. Spray the vinegar mixture onto the mold on unfinished wood in the basement or walls with mold growth. Wearing protective equipment like gloves and a mask is essential to protect yourself from spores as you clean with a stiff-bristle brush.
Cleaning Green Mold From a Wood Deck
Green mold forms on various types of food, and it’s also commonly found in wet areas of the home. You may notice green growth spreading after a rainy season when the humidity is high, especially if you have wood patio furniture or wood siding.
If you have a large outdoor deck, a pressure washer is an easy way to clean the large space quickly by adding detergent to the tank. Use a brush and soapy water to eliminate green mold on smaller jobs. After cleaning the deck, rinse with fresh water to wash away any remaining mold residue.
How to Remove Mildew From Wood
Although not a harsh chemical cleaner, baking soda is effective for getting mildew off wood. Scrubbing wooden furniture with a simple paste made with baking soda and water removes mold stains and other mildew spots from wood furniture.
Because it is somewhat gentle compared to other cleaning solutions, using baking soda for removing mildew from wood won’t ruin the appearance of painted wood.
Stir baking soda and water in a bucket before using a scrub brush to work the solution into the affected areas of the wood. Once clean, rinse your furniture with fresh water.
Should You Use Bleach on Wood for Mold Treatments?
Although mold and mildew grow, we do not often think of them as a type of plant. However, mildew functions as a surface plant that spreads and has roots. Removing mildew from wood requires cleaning mold from the surface and killing all traces of mold roots within porous items.
Chlorine bleach is a multi-purpose cleaner that brightens whites and kills mold and mildew. Bleach is often advised when looking for how to get mildew off wood because bleach penetrates porous surfaces like wood.
In the process of killing spores, bleach damages the natural fibers in wood. If you want to use bleach to clean mildew from wood, use oxygen bleach, which is less harmful to wood fibers than chlorine-based bleach.
Mold Prevention Tips
Because mold thrives in moist areas, monitoring leaks is the best way to avoid mold growth. Clogged gutters and condensation forming on pipes or walls are all common occurrences that lead to mold growth if left unchecked.
If a water leak happens indoors, check the area to dry everything damaged by water to prevent mold spores from forming in the wood. Treat wood with pure distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle as a preventative measure. Allow the vinegar to air dry for an hour to kill mold spores.
Learning how to clean mildew from wood is essential, not only for the health of you and your family but mold left to grow indoors contributes to foul odors inside. Regular treatments using DIY mold removal methods prevent mildew from growing extensively.
When cleaning mold inside, contact a professional for mold remediation services if the affected area is larger than ten square feet(..).
If you learned how to remove mildew from wood with help from our guide, please share our advice on how to get mildew off wood with your family on Facebook and Pinterest.