Mould occurs whenever there is moisture and a favourable surface. Wood, silicone sealant, and even grout are favourite places for mould to establish itself. It can look unsightly and, mould can cause health issues, especially if you’re allergic.
In addition, mould on wood means that moisture is getting into the wood, if this is left untreated the wood is likely to develop wood rot. That means it will be weakened and ultimately need to be replaced. You need to know how to remove mould from wood. But, first, you need to discover how to prevent mould from growing on your wood.
Ventilation
Mould needs moisture and a warmth temperature, along with a suitable surface. Eliminate one of these and the mould won’t grow. You can’t generally eliminate the surface, but you can remove the moisture from the wood and prevent it from appearing.
It’s all a matter of ventilation.
The best approach is to have a suspended wood floor and add a quality subfloor ventilation system. This means two holes in the subfloor. One allows air in, the other allows it out. While natural airflow can work, the best approach is to have a system fitted.
This will use fans and one-way valves to ensure cool air is moved under the floor and warm air pushed out. Warm air is much better at holding moisture than cool air, that’s why you need to eliminate it.
Soap & Water
You may be surprised but soap and water are usually very effective at removing mould from wood. The key is to tackle the mould as early as possible as it spreads quickly. However, before you get the soap and water ready there are several things you should do.
Put Safety Gear On
Mould can be hazardous to health. That’s why you should wear gloves and a mask before tackling it. This will reduce the likelihood of mould spores getting into your lungs.
Vacuum
Once you have your gear on, use your vacuum cleaner to vacuum the entire area of mould. This dislodges some of the mould and puts it all in the vacuum, instead of the atmosphere. It makes it safer when you wash it.
With the above two steps done you can now scrub the mould with soap and water.
The best approach is to put the soap and water in a spray bottle and spray the entire area. The moisture will help to stop mould spores from escaping into the atmosphere. It can also be beneficial to use a small brush to gently scrub the mould. Make sure you soak up any excess water so it doesn’t soak into the wood and cause further issues.
Once you’ve finished, dry the area with a clean towel and inspect your handiwork.
It should be noted that if soap is struggling to remove the mould you can use distilled white vinegar. Mix it with warm water and spray it on the mould. Then, leave it for an hour and wipe it off.
