Removing mold from wood: Protect yourself with the right clothing when using it.
Mold on wood looks unsanitary and can have a negative impact on your health. We’ll tell you what you can do to get rid of mold.
Whether on wooden furniture, on the garden fence or even on the facade – as soon as mold appears on wood, it is time to take action and remove it. Otherwise, the spores will continue to spread and it will soon be difficult to stop the mold. But which measures help sustainably against mold?
Remove mold on wood with home remedies
To combat mold on wood, use acetic acid, dishwashing liquid or high-proof alcohol such as vodka. Take the remedy of your choice and proceed as follows:
- Apply acetic acid, dishwashing liquid or alcohol directly or with a spray bottle to the mold-infested wood areas. When using acetic acid, make sure to use the agent carefully – depending on the concentration – and avoid direct contact with the liquid or inhaling the vapors due to the corrosive effect.
- If necessary, leave it on for five minutes.
- Use a soft brush and circular movements to scrub away the mold.
- In the meantime clean the brush.
- Then sand the wood in the affected areas with sandpaper.
- Treat again with the agent.
- Allow the wood to dry well and ensure ventilation.
Special commercially available agents against mold
Special mold control products for wood are also available commercially. You can find such fungus removers in hardware stores, for example. Proceed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. You can also use products with hydrogen peroxide to treat the wood.
Seemingly harmless, but actually harmful to health
Particularly if the mold is in living spaces and, for example, wooden furniture, floor coverings such as parquet or wall coverings are affected, you should remove the mold immediately. Otherwise it can quickly promote illnesses such as respiratory problems, lung diseases and allergies. Although the mold spores cannot be seen in the air, they are still present and therefore pose an invisible threat to health .
Choose appropriate protective equipment
To avoid irritation, be sure to wear protective gloves such as rubber gloves when tackling mold on the wood. You should also attach importance to long clothing so that your skin does not accidentally come into contact with the sometimes aggressive mold-fighting agents. When removing black mold, a respiratory mask and safety glasses are also recommended.
Prevent mold formation on wood
Untreated wood in particular is affected by mold because there is no barrier and the spores can penetrate the wood unhindered. Therefore, you should always varnish or oil wood. Also make sure to avoid moisture on the wood and around the wood. Ventilate rooms regularly and ensure that windows and doors are well insulated so that no moisture from outside can enter the living space.