Mold infestations can easily spread on wooden surfaces, whether furniture, floors, fences, or outside porch. Wood is a porous material as and it is very good at absorbing water. This moisture and added warm temperatures attract mold spores in the air, making it perfect for a mold infestation on your surfaces.

More importantly, mold not only decays the wood but is also harmful to your and your family’s health. Therefore, it is crucial to take immediate action when you see the early signs of mold.

Thankfully, there are a range of household products you can use to get rid of mold in the early stages; however, if you’re dealing with black toxic mold or mold that has affected an area larger than ten square feet, then don’t try to deal with it on your own. It’s best to call a professional in this situation.

911 Restoration has experienced workers and professional mold removal teams that know how to go about the process safely. With their skills and latest equipment, they can completely get rid of mold on wood and make your house safe for you and your family again.

How to Kill Mold on Wood?

If you’re looking to remove mold from wooden surfaces during the early stages, here are the steps to take.

Step 1: Wear Protective Gear

Any type of mold can be hazardous to health; therefore, it is important to protect yourself when dealing with it. Make sure when you inspect it or try to clean it, you’re wearing protective gear. Wear glasses, a face mask to cover your mouth and nose, and rubber gloves.

Step 2: Vacuum The Area

Before you start scrubbing all that mold, it is crucial to vacuum the area of the wood affected to suck up any loose mold spores. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter for better and safer results.

Run the vacuum over the area and then take the vacuum outdoors to dispose of the contents. Never do it indoors in a trash bin because you might end up spreading it further in your house. Make sure all the mold spores vacuumed are disposed of in a tightly sealed plastic bag so no spores can escape.

Step 3: Clean Off the Mold

It is easier and safer to remove mold if it hasn’t penetrated the wood deeply and is still on the surface level. You can use simple but effective household ingredients to kill mold. Here are a few methods you can try and see which one works for you;

1.    Dishwashing Soap and Warm Water

Start by adding a teaspoon of soap to a spray bottle filled with water and shake it up to mix well. Spray the affected mold area with this solution and use a soft-bristled brush to gently scrub away the mold. Once you feel satisfied with the result, take a towel and dry the surface completely.

2.    Distilled White Vinegar

If the above remedy doesn’t work, try using distilled white vinegar, killing more than 80% of mold species. Mix equal parts of vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle and spray it on the area affected with mold. Let this solution sit for an hour, then wipe the area with a moistened cloth followed by a dry towel.

3.    Borax

It’s time to bring out the borax if the above two methods did not show satisfactory results. Borax is an alkaline mineral salt cleaner that’s safer to use than bleach. Bleach would kill mold but also end up ruining the wood.

To make this borax solution, combine a tablespoon of borax with a cup of water, then apply this solution to the mold with a soft-bristled brush and scrub away the mold.

Leave the borax solution in the wood for as long as possible as it helps prevent the future growth of mold. Place a fan near the surface to dry the moistened wood, but let the borax stay under the surface.

Step 4: Sand The Wood

The cleaning solutions above would help eliminate all the mold, but if you still see some traces of mold, use 100-grit sandpaper to rub out the affected area. Do this carefully as you might ruin the wood. Once you’re done, vacuum the area again to remove the dust and any loosened mold spores.

Why Should Call a Mold Removal Professional?

The methods above only work for mold on the surface level, but in most cases, the mold would be deep within, and there would be a major issue causing mold to show up on your wooden surfaces. It may be some leaky pipe or severe water damage in the basement.

A professional Mold Removal Restoration company in Norfolk would fix the mold-infested area for you and inspect the house to fix the problems causing it. 911 Restoration uses professional equipment such as HEPA air scrubbers, HEPA vacuums, commercial-strength dehumidifiers, an antimicrobial chemical to clean any mold and mold stains in your home.

We ensure the longevity of our efforts to remove mold and often use a sealer to make the treated areas more resistant to water damage and mold to prevent mold formation. Call us now at (757) 601-4795!