2 Helpful Ways On How To Remove Mold From Unfinished Wood

Set your worries aside as we will guide you on how to remove mold from unfinished wood. Mold infestations messing with your favorite furniture, drywall, or anything inside your home is displeasing to the eye.

Not to mention, some types of molds can be hazardous to human health. In case you’re wondering, molds can trigger asthma and allergy reactions.

how to remove mold from unfinished wood

Most wood furniture is waterproof, sealed with durable water repellent. However, some parts of it are left untreated. Wood is a porous material where bacteria are free to enter without protection.

 

Signs Of Fungal Damage On Wood 

It is easy to spot fungal damage on unfinished wood. Often, they are caused by high moisture levels. Furthermore, they thrive in dark and humid places.

 

Unpleasant smell

Tracing the smell is the first thing you will detect. The sour or ‘musty’ odor is present when molds take over.

 

White spores

Mold can grow extra-long strands until it reaches the surface. They form in circular shapes hence the white spores.

 

Black streaks

If you see these on your wood, act immediately. Black mold is dangerous to individuals on many levels. Also known as Stachybotrys chartarum, this type of mold can release mycotoxins closely linked to poisoning.

 

2 Ways To Eliminate Mold On Unfinished Wood

 

Method #1. For mild infestations

 

Step #1. Wear protective gear

Since the mold is still at its low level of infestation, you can put on a facemask, gloves, and eye protection. Mold spores can make you sneeze. If you have an underlying medical condition, it is best to prevent the worst from happening.

 

Step #2. Inspect the area 

It’s a piece of cake eyeing for molds, but there are times you cannot even see them. They appear as dirty streaks of dust, but they do not come off quickly.

Make a do-it-yourself test kit consisting of a cotton bud and 2-3 drops of bleach. Pour the bleach onto the Q-tip and run it along with the wood. If the area comes off clean, then it is moldy.

 

Step #3. Wet the dry mildew 

Powdery mildew residue can float in the air that you can potentially inhale. Prepare a bucket of warm water and rag. Douse the cloth with warm water and squeeze it.

 

Step #4. Scrub the wood defect

Combine one part bleach with two parts of water in a bucket. Douse the brush and start scrubbing. Be careful as unfinished wood can crumble.

 

Step #5. Sand it down

Make sure the wood is dry before going on to this step. Mild mold infestation is an easy task to execute. Grab 110-grit sandpaper and sand the remaining molds down.

 

Method #2. For stubborn bolds

 

Step #1. Put on proper PPE

According to the EPA, you should wear personal protective equipment. Among the three levels, if you are only working on a small project, pick level one.

The first category is minimum PPE requirements. These are the following: N-95 respirator (medical mask), goggles or eye protection, and, lastly, gloves. You will be handling hazards, so you need to be careful.

 

Step #2. Determine the damage

Molds are organic materials that eat away at anything, causing the wood to decay over time. Keep in mind that there are many types of molds and mildew. They can be caused by humidity and faulty water supplies.

 

Step #3. Vacuum the surrounding parts

Plug in your vacuum machine and vacuum the area affected by molds. It helps to minimize the floating allergens in the air. Better to go over it at least two times.

 

Step #4. Vinegar & bleach does the job

For cleaning water-damage molds, two rounds of household cleaning solutions are a must. First, pour distilled vinegar into a spray bottle. Please do not mix it with anything; spray it onto the wood.

After that, dry it with a cloth or a rag. Next, mix one-part bleach and four parts of water.

Use a brush to scrub the wood. Repeat it until the mold is not visible.

 

Step #5. Use a fine grit for sanding

Persistent molds tend to attach to the furniture. However, you cannot use a sanding machine for this one. It will cause the unfinished wood to fall apart.

Instead, use 110 to 220-grit sandpaper. Sand all remaining mold and mildew.

 

How To Care For Untreated Wood

Prevent your uncured wood from declining early by taking care of it. Do not expose it to extreme weather as it can damage it. Also, please do not put it near water sources that can leak.

Nothing goes wrong with maintenance. Wipe the untreated wood when the dust comes to feast. Also, you can use a simple dishwashing liquid and water solution and spray it on.

Be sure to wipe it with a dry cloth afterward. If you want to remove grime and water stains, use household DIY solutions.

Save dimes in your pocket utilizing these simple tips to care for unfinished wood.

 

Conclusion 

It goes without saying that untreated wood may be difficult to repair. Fortunately, you have got this guide to teach you how to remove mold from unfinished wood!

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