From time to time, even the cleanest and most organized home
develops some mold. When you discover small amounts of mold on wood furniture, hardwood floors, wood trim, and
even outdoor structures, what are your options to safely remove it? And when do
you need to call in professional help?
Beneficial Home
Remedies
For smaller areas in the home, try the old-fashioned
solutions first. Three that your grandmother would recommend are:
Bleach
Bleach is very effective for killing mold and mildew due to
its chemical reactivity with microbes. It works quickly to destroy many
pathogens and is inexpensive.
However, bleach can only kill mold on non-porous surfaces, as
it does not penetrate porous surfaces so mold roots are left to grow again. It
requires some caution, such as latex gloves and good ventilation. Plus, tiny
splatters will leave white spots on your clothes if you are sloppy.
Vinegar
Another inexpensive and non-offensive natural fungicide is
white vinegar. Super cheap and available, it also kills mold on porous
surfaces. You can boost the cleaning power by adding some baking soda.
And thankfully, the pickle smell will dissipate in less than
an hour.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Found as a concentrate in the first-aid aisle, a suggested
dilution of one cup of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide per gallon of water can
treat the mold. Let the H2O2 solution set on the surface for 10 to 15 minutes,
and scrub the area to remove all dead mold. Be sure to clean up after your
clean up.
Mold Loves Wood!
Since wood is an organic and porous material, microscopic
spores have ample opportunity to literally take root and grow. In order to stop
the growth cycle, you must 1) address the original moisture/ water problem 2)
remove any visible mold and 3) treat the surface so no new spores can sprout.
It’s usually safe to keep using moldy wood once you’ve
cleaned it up. Even if a small amount of mold is left in the grain of the wood,
it would not usually regrow if moisture in your home is kept low. Painted
surfaces have less opportunity for mold than stained finishes, and unfinished
wood is the most vulnerable.
Furniture
If you see visible mold on wooden furniture, be proactive
about containing the spores before you clean and disinfect. Place plastic bags
under the legs for proper disposal of all debris. Use HEPA vacuum the
surrounding area once you’ve removed the mold from the wood since some mold
spores are stirred up.
After you’ve finished cleaning up the mold problem you might
want to coat the wood with a fungicidal sealant or paint so that mold can not
regrow.
Floors
If the hardwood floor is properly sealed, you can just wipe
it with one of the common cleaning solutions above. However, since the open
grain tends to leave imperfectly sealed surfaces, they can absorb moisture.
Spot clean a hidden area. If you see the finish change, consult a flooring
expert of a professional mold removal company.
Window Sills And Door
Jams
Excess moisture around windows and doors can come from either
old and poor quality materials OR super energy efficient materials. Both
scenarios can allow accumulation of water vapor on the glass to drip and pool
onto wood surfaces. To clean moldy wood, wipe or scrub the mold from the
surface using a sponge, cloth or scrubbing brush with warm detergent or
fungicidal solution. Then be sure the areas are completely dry.
Be realistic about the options based on the severity of the
problem: frequent cleaning/drying,
installing new windows, or replacing rotten wood.
Outdoor Furniture And
Structures
The first step to controlling mold is controlling any
accumulation of water. Be vigilant about keeping wet cushions off wooden
surfaces and be aware of the flat, level surfaces draining toward the center of
the deck. Increase both sunlight and airflow by controlling the vegetation
around and potted plants on the patio.
Dry out furniture by placing it in direct sunlight when
possible. Always store wooden furniture pieces in a dry place during the winter
or rainy months. Also, make sure to keep any wooden furniture pieces are
properly sealed for outdoor use. Sealer isn’t completely permanent, so put that
on your annual chore list.
Hitchcock Clean And
Restore
If you discover mold or mildew on wooden surfaces in your
home, asses if the water that caused it was a one time spill or the symptom of
something more serious. If you are not confident that the moisture is
contained, call a mold removal team experienced in damaged wood.
Hitchcock Clean and Restore is a local,
family-oriented company providing 24 hour, full-service emergency water damage
restoration 365 days a year at (484) 575-4101.