Removing mold on wood: which tricks work - and which don't?
Created: 12/20/2021, 08:37 AM
From: Franziska Kaindl
Mold can make itself comfortable on all possible surfaces - including wood.
© Felix Heyder / dpa
The unpleasant mold not only spreads on walls, on wallpaper or in joints, but also on wood.
How to get rid of the infestation there, you can find out here.
As soon as you notice mold in your home, you should take action immediately - this will prevent it from spreading any further or mold spores in the air from irritating your respiratory tract.
But how do you remove mold that has formed on wood?
Why does mold form on wood?
You may be wondering how mold can form on wood.
On the one hand, wood is much easier to
moisture
than other components - and
moisture is a major factor in mold growth
.
Wood also has high-quality nutrients for many types of mold, including cellulose.
Together with little air movement, this results in a perfect climate for mold growth on wood.
Mold on wood: where is it located?
Whether mold on wood is a big problem depends on where it is located.
There are three options:
load-bearing wooden components
non-load-bearing wooden components
other wooden components such as furniture
If the mold * is on load-bearing components such as roof trusses or ceiling joists, you may have to check whether the structural stability is still given.
Certain types of mold can destroy the internal structure of wood.
Mold on load-bearing parts is mostly caused by structural defects or - if they are exposed to the weather - driving rain.
Normally, however, the risk of infestation is kept low, as wood is only used with a
low residual moisture content of less than 20 percent
.
If there is mold on non-load-bearing components, you should also be careful - after all, it can still spread to load-bearing parts.
In any case, in the event of mold growth on load-bearing and non-load-bearing components, it is best to consult a professional who will take care of the problem.
You must pay attention to this when removing mold from the wood
With smaller wooden components, i.e. mainly furniture or windows, you can usually lend a hand yourself, as this is often a cosmetic problem.
Always wear
protective goggles, protective gloves and a face mask
so that mold spores and chemical cleaners do not irritate your respiratory tract.
Also, ventilate well so that the smell disappears quickly.
Also find out
: How to combat mold on windows and seals.
Remove mold from wood with cleaning agents containing chlorine and hydrogen peroxide
If the mold spreads on visible parts of wooden furniture, it is usually a
cosmetic problem, as discoloration occurs on the surface
.
You can usually
get rid of
these with
cleaning
agents that contain
chlorine or with a hydrogen peroxide solution
, as they will bleach the stains.
However, test the agent beforehand on an inconspicuous area to determine to what extent the surface changes color and leads to the desired result.
In addition, when using such agents, you should always open the windows and protect your mouth and eyes from irritation.
Remove mold from wood by sanding
With some furniture, it is also advisable to
sand off
the mold
, as long as it
has not penetrated too deep into the wood
and has not attacked larger areas.
There is also the problem that the mold spores get into the air when sanded and thus infect other objects.
In this case, it is best to consult an expert.
Removing mold from wood with alcohol - is that a good idea?
Spirit
is also a product that is often used to remove mold.
However, you should not use it on wood - there is a risk that the material will wear out.
Also interesting
: this simple trick immediately protects your bathroom from mold.
Can you remove mold from wood with vinegar?
When it comes
to
mold
removal,
vinegar as a mold remover
can be heard over
and over again
.
However, the home remedy is often not nearly as effective as expected.
Vinegar is not necessarily a mold remover for porous surfaces such as textiles, wallpaper or wooden furniture.
Mold can only be wiped off on smooth surfaces with normal household cleaners - including vinegar or cleaning water with vinegar essence.
This also includes
lacquered wood
.
Survey: Which furniture store is your favorite?
Read here
: With these tips you can put an end to mold on the wall.
Prevent mold on wood
The best cure for mold on wood is still prevention.
If you observe the following tips, you will reduce the risk a lot:
Keep wooden surfaces such as windows after showering dry.
When it comes to furniture, make sure that it is lacquered wood.
Do not store wooden objects in a damp environment.
Move wooden furniture away from the wall - especially outside walls.
Prevent structural defects through adequate insulation, etc.
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