How to Kill Mold on Wood in 6 Simple Steps

Protect the integrity of wood surfaces

A woman preparing a meal on a wooden countertop
Photo: Cavan Images / Cavan / Getty Images
A woman preparing a meal on a wooden countertop
Photo: Cavan Images / Cavan / Getty Images
Amy Freeman
Written by Amy Freeman
Contributing Writer
Updated Dec 18, 2024
SKILL LEVEL
Easy
COMPLETION TIME
1 hour
COST
Up to $25
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What you'll need:
TOOLS
  • Protective face mask
  • Safety glasses
  • Safety gloves
  • Soft bristle brush
  • Spray bottle
SUPPLIES
  • Baking soda
  • Plastic sheets or tarps
  • Soap and water
  • White vinegar

Mold growing on wooden surfaces not only ruins the appearance but also presents health hazards. It's essential to take prompt action to address mold on wood to maintain a healthy environment and protect the integrity of the material. Read on to learn how to kill mold on wood to eliminate visible mold and prevent its recurrence.

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What Is Mold?

Mold is a type of fungus that is found all over the world. It's nearly always present, even if you can't see it. Most molds grow on food sources such as carpeting, cardboard, paper, wood, drywall, or decaying plants. 

Mold thrives in moist areas, whether on a patch of fallen, decaying leaves on a forest floor or on a damp wooden beam inside a home. While mold growth is normal in a natural setting and can even be beneficial outdoors, it’s a cause for concern when it grows indoors.

When Is It a Problem on Wood?

If mold starts growing on a fallen tree in a forest, it's not a cause for concern. Mold growth is part of the cycle of life, and eventually, it will help the tree breakdown. But if mold starts growing on wood that's part of your home or furniture, it's a problem. 

Left untreated, the mold will eventually weaken the wood, leading to significant damage and destruction. Unchecked mold growth on wood in your home can also cause health concerns, such as asthma, allergies, and other respiratory problems.

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Prepping to Kill Mold on Wood

When performing any project that deals with the presence of mold, proper protective gear is essential, so ensure that you are wearing safety glasses, gloves, and a face mask before starting any work. Before you begin the steps, you need to isolate the area to prevent mold spores from spreading to other parts of your home. Lay out plastic sheets or tarps on the floor and on top of furniture to prevent mold debris from getting onto other surfaces.

Another important safety measure for killing mold is to ensure adequate ventilation in the area to reduce the concentration of mold spores in the air. The best method is to open windows in the area to provide fresh air.

Angi Tip

Mold remediation that requires the removal of drywall can be difficult to contain. Any sort of demolition can cause spores to travel into your home’s HVAC system leading to potentially more harmful infestations. A mold removal pro will have the right tools and skills to contain it.

Caroline Gilbert
Caroline Gilbert
Director, Content & Editorial, Angi
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Remove Dust

Using a soft-bristled brush, gently remove any loose dust and dirt from the surface of the wood. This provides better access to the mold area for the best removal results. Vacuum the area afterward to clean fallen debris.

Prepare and Apply Cleaning Solution

A woman applying a cleaning solution on a wooden surface
Photo: Thana Prasongsin / Moment / Getty Images

First, clean the area with a mild dish soap and water using a sponge and gentle pressure. In a spray bottle, mix equal parts of white vinegar and water. Apply the natural mold killer solution to the moldy wood surface. Let it sit on the area for roughly 10 to15 minutes to loosen the mold.

How to Kill Mold on Wood

Now that you’ve gotten the prep work out of the way, you can roll up your sleeves and get to work. Here’s what to do.

  1. Scrub Area

    Using a sponge, scrub the moldy area using moderate pressure. If the mold isn't lifting well, consider preparing a natural scrub to move the process along. Mix baking soda with water to create a paste and scrub gently with the sponge.

  2. Rinse Area

    Using clean water and a separate sponge, wipe away the cleaning solution and rinse the wood surface.

  3. Dry and Reinspect

    Mold thrives in damp conditions, so ensure the wood has dried completely. If the area isn't drying well on its own, consider using a dehumidifier in the room. After the area has dried, reinspect it to ensure the mold has been removed and, if not, repeat the process to rid the area entirely.

  4. Take Preventative Measures

    A person scrubbing an old wooden floor
    Photo: Alexander Pytskiy / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images

    To prevent mold growth, investigate what caused mold in the first place. Leaks, moisture, or other ventilation issues may be responsible. Determine the cause and take steps to remedy the solution to deter mold growth.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

Killing mold on wood surfaces is a generally easy task for even the novice DIYer to complete. However, if the mold infestation persists, covers a large surface area, or the root cause of the mold growth is unknown, it's advisable to hire a mold remediation professional.

A professional will be able to accurately address the issue and recommend actionable solutions. Mold remediation cost ranges between $1,125 to $3,345, but will largely depend on the severity of your mold issue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Although both bleach and vinegar are effective in killing mold on wood, vinegar is generally considered the better option. Bleach is a potent disinfectant that can swiftly and effectively eradicate most types of mold on wooden surfaces. However, diluting it with water and using it in a well-ventilated space while wearing protective gear is crucial as it can be harsh and potentially harm the wood's finish or discolor it.

On the other hand, vinegar is a gentler and more natural alternative that can successfully kill mold, but it may take longer and require multiple applications for persistent infestations. Vinegar is a safer option that is less likely to cause damage to wooden surfaces, making it an excellent choice for delicate areas or when a milder approach is preferred.

Eliminating mold from wood permanently poses a challenge as the mold spores have the ability to deeply penetrate the porous wood surface. While surface mold can be effectively eradicated with proper cleaning and preventative measures, it's difficult to guarantee its non-recurrence under favorable conditions. To prevent mold from reappearing, it is important to identify and resolve the root cause of the moisture that triggered mold growth initially.

Ensuring appropriate ventilation and a dry environment, or consider applying protective finishes such as sealant, varnish, or paint to prevent future moisture penetration and mold growth. Consistently inspect and maintain the area to keep the wood free from mold in the long term.

Neglecting mold growth on wood can result in various issues that deteriorate its appearance and jeopardize its structural stability. The mold's ability to multiply and expand can disintegrate the fibers of the wood, weakening it further. In addition, the allergenic spores and mycotoxins released by mold can pose health hazards through inhalation or contact. Ignoring the mold's presence allows it to thrive, increasing the likelihood of spreading to other surfaces and requiring extensive and expensive measures to control in the future. Addressing mold on wood promptly is crucial to preserving its condition and safeguarding the health of those around it.

Using vinegar on moldy wood overnight can be an effective method for combatting stubborn mold infestations. This approach allows the vinegar ample time to penetrate and break down the mold. First, test a small, unnoticeable area to verify that the vinegar won't harm the wood's finish or color. Adequate ventilation is crucial to avoid a buildup of vinegar fumes.

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Learn more about our contributor
Amy Freeman
Written by Amy Freeman
Contributing Writer
Amy is a content writer specializing in home improvement and personal finance topics. She loves helping people tackle DIY projects that beautify their spaces. Her work can also be found on Money Crashers and Coldwell Banker where she combines home improvement and money saving tips.

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