Mold on wood furniture is known to be a common problem. Once spotted, you need to act fast in order to get rid of it; otherwise, it can spread to other parts of the home and increase the problems. But, how to remove mold from wood furniture?
Well, there’s no need to worry as we will teach you how. Keep reading this article to know what are some of the best methods that you can use to remove mold from your furniture.
How To Remove Mold From Wood Furniture?
Before we jump into the methods of cleaning the mold from wood furniture, there are a few things you need to do to prepare yourself to clean the mold, which includes the following:
- Wear Protective Gears – It is important to know that mold spores can hurt your health if they get into your lungs. Hence, to avoid the injurious effects of mold, make sure to wear your protective gear, like an air mask, safety goggles, and rubber gloves.
- Take The Furniture Outdoors – To prevent the spreading of mold to other furniture, take your furniture outside for cleaning. However, if that’s not possible for you, clean the mold inside your house but at least try to keep the windows open.
- Vacuum Over Moldy Areas – Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter and an arm attachment on the moldy areas of the wood. It will suck up all the loose spores and also dirt and dust. Also, please remember that when emptying the vacuum canister, do it outside in a plastic bag. Ensure to seal it properly and throw it away.
Methods To Clean Off The Mold From Your Furniture
Here are some of the best methods that you can use to remove the mold from your furniture.
Method 1: Place The Furniture In The Sunlight
This method is effective for people who have very light mold on their wood furniture. You simply need to place your affected furniture in the sunlight in the early morning. Bring back the furniture back inside in the sunset. Repeat the process the next day if needed.
If you can’t take your furniture outside to place it in the sunlight, don’t worry. There are many other methods that you can use, which we will discuss further.
Method 2: Use The Distilled White Vinegar
How to remove mold from wood furniture? Use the mixture of vinegar. According to the sources, vinegar is known to be highly effective in killing mold. It has the potential to kill around 80% of the mold.
Mix equal parts of warm water and vinegar properly and put the mixture in a spray bottle. Spray it on the mold area of the furniture and leave it as it is for one hour. After that, wipe it away using a moistened towel, then use a dry towel to wipe it away.
Method 3: Scrub Away The Mold Using Dish Soap
This method is specifically focused on cleaning away the heavy mold. Add a mild household detergent in a bucket filled with warm water and mix them properly. Apply the solutions on the soft-bristled brush and scrub the mold away from your furniture.
After that, use a damp towel to wipe away any remaining mold. After that, use a dry towel to wipe and clean the wood off your furniture.
You will most likely notice that the mold has been entirely removed from the wood; however, if it doesn’t, try repeating the process from scratch.
Method 4: Use Borax
Another of the best methods to clean off the mold from your furniture is using borax, which is much safer compared to other cleaners like bleach.
Mix borax with one cup of water properly. Use a soft-bristled brush to apply the solution to the mold area. Scrub away the mold and leave as much borax solution in the wood as it will help prevent the mold’s growth.
After the cleaning, keep the furniture in the ventilated area so the wood dries up entirely while the borax is still in it. You can use a dehumidifier or a fan too.
Method 5: Use The Sandpaper
If you have tried the methods mentioned above, you will probably be able to remove mold from your furniture. However, if you still find traces of mold on your furniture, you can try using sandpaper.
Take 100-grit sandpaper and rub it on the area with mold. It is advised to sand the wood while it’s damp as it will help prevent the spores from spreading.
Once you are done sanding, clean the sanded areas using a borax solution and air dry the wood.
What To Do If Mold Is Still There?
If you have tried the methods mentioned above but still find that mold is on your furniture. Then, it is recommended to call the remediation professionals to help you remove mold from your wood furniture.
Currently, there are so many companies providing mold cleaning services. You can choose any of them; just make sure to research the company properly. Go to their website and look for the customer reviews. It will give you a decent idea about them and help you understand if they fulfill their services professionally or not.
How To Prevent Mold From Infesting Wood Furniture?
Now you know how to remove mold from wood furniture? It’s also essential to know how to prevent it so it doesn’t keep coming back.
One of the best ways to prevent your furniture from getting affected by mold is to keep your wood furniture in a well-ventilated area. Also, keep the wood clean and frequently check your wood furniture to see if any new mold has developed on it or not so that you can kill it easily when it’s in the early stage.
Another one of the ways to prevent mold is by cleaning up the standing water. Regularly check the under skin cabinets to spot any signs of leakages. Repair them as soon as possible and wipe away if you find any pools of water.
Also, try to avoid installing any wood furniture in the basement as that area generally has high humidity which puts your furniture at high risk of getting affected by mold.
Can Mold On The Wood Cause Any Harm?
Yes, mold on the wood inside your home can harm your health, and you should strive to get rid of it as soon as possible.
According to the sources, when mold is outside, it doesn’t cause any potential threat to an individual. But, when it is inside the home, it can cause various health problems like coughing, various issues related to the nose, and in some cases, sinus infection.
Hence, once you have spotted the mold on your wood furniture, try to kill it fast to prevent it from spreading.
Conclusion
So, that was a complete guide on how to remove mold from wood furniture. Simply follow any of the step by step methods we provided above, and you will definitely be able to remove mold from your home. Also, make sure to follow the prevention tips afterward so that the mold doesn’t infest your home again.
If you have removed the mold successfully, but it keeps coming back, then chances are that it has made its way deeper in the wood and the only option to get rid of it is by throwing the furniture away.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What Is The Best Way To Kill Mold On The Wood?
In general, distilled white vinegar is known to be most effective in killing mold. However, please remember that it also depends on how much mold is on the wood.
2. Can I Get Sick From Moldy Wood?
Exposure to a moldy or damp environment can cause an individual to experience various symptoms. However, it also depends from person to person.
For example, an individual sensitive to the mold may experience side effects like a stuffy nose, itchy eyes or skin, etc. While on the other hand, some people may remain unaffected by the exposure to the mold.
3. Can a Dehumidifier Help Remove Mold In Your Home?
No. Dehumidifiers alone can’t help remove mold from your furniture but it may help in preventing it.
