How to clean mould off your wooden garden furniture (2024)

FAQs

How do you remove Mould from wooden outdoor furniture? ›

For wooden patio furniture mix a solution of 1 cup ammonia, 1⁄2 cup white vinegar, and 1⁄4 cup of baking soda into 1 gallon of water. Use a kitchen sponge or washcloth for application. If you notice any mildew growth coming back, use full-strength white vinegar immediately to nip it in the bud.

Distilled white vinegar is an excellent mold killing agent. Should dish soap be too weak to remove the mold, add vinegar to a spray bottle. Spray the furniture thoroughly with the vinegar. Wait about an hour, then wipe the surface with a damp cloth.

If it is painted, wiping the surface with hot water and any detergent will resolve the issue. This is because the mold cannot penetrate through paint or any treated wood. For untreated wood, clean the surface with water, detergent, and some bleach.

The best solution to remove mold from wooden furniture is distilled white vinegar. Put vinegar and water in a bottle and spray the affected furniture. Wait an hour and wipe the surface with a damp cloth.

Spray vinegar onto the moldy surface and leave it for an hour. Then wipe the area clean with water and allow the surface to dry. Any smell should clear within a few hours. While it's safe to use on most surfaces, vinegar is unlikely to be effective at cleaning mold off of soft surfaces.

Simply mix one part bleach to four parts water. Using a damp cloth gently scrub and wipe the mould until the mould is gone. Once finished, dry the area well with a soft cloth.

Diluted vinegar can dissolve the finish that protects the wood and leave it looking cloudy, dull, or scratched. (The same goes for wood furniture.)

Remember, while vinegar is generally considered a gentle household cleaner, its mild acidity is strong enough to damage wood on its own, which is why it should always be diluted.

Is vinegar or bleach better for mold? ›

Is Vinegar More Effective Than Bleach at Killing Mold? Vinegar truly is better than bleach at killing mold. The EPA does not recommend using bleach to kill or remove mold, except in special circ*mstances. In most cases, “a background level of mold spores will remain” after the application of bleach.

Yes. You can soak your wood chips in virtually any liquid to impart a unique flavor with the exception of water.

Lab experiments have recorded that dry rot spores can germinate approximately seven to ten days after the wood has become damp enough. Older spores can take longer to germinate. As mentioned earlier, though, it can take a long while for signs of dry rot to appear after germination.

Because wood is biodegradable, mold will eat away at the wood itself. Mold grows when a wooden surface or the air around it has a high moisture content for any length of time. If mold is allowed to grow, it will ultimately destroy the wood and can ultimately cause severe structural damage to your home.

Exposure to damp and moldy environments may cause a variety of health effects, or none at all. Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, exposure to molds can lead to symptoms such as stuffy nose, wheezing, and red or itchy eyes, or skin.

Clean and rinse your wood furniture thoroughly before winter weather sets in to prevent mold and mildew growth. Touch up the paint or apply a specialty oil or varnish designed to protect your furniture against moisture and harsh temperatures.

Pour the undiluted vinegar into a spray bottle. Spray it directly onto the moldy surface. Let the vinegar sit for at least an hour. Using a brush with soft bristles, scrub the moldy surface until the mold comes off.

Complete Mold Killer & Remover

Mix one part 3% hydrogen peroxide with 2 parts water and in a spray bottle. If you really want to avoid purchasing a spray bottle (although seriously, get the bottle!), you can also soak a towel in this solution and wipe it directly over mold growth.

Based on 15+ years and thousands of jobs worth of experience, Moldman recommends RMR-86 as the clear winner. It's effective for both removing mold stains and killing mold, is relatively affordable, and can be bought online. Our runner up is Clorox Clean Up.

It doesn't work on porous surfaces, such as wood or drywall. Keep reading to find out what household ingredients you can use to eliminate mold on porous surfaces, and preventive steps you can take to keep it from coming back.

What kind of vinegar kills mold? ›

Using White Distilled Vinegar to Kill Mold

White vinegar is most commonly found with 5% acidity and works best undiluted, so don't worry about mixing it with water first.

For a natural solution for getting rid of black mold, combine one part baking soda with five parts distilled white vinegar and five parts water in a spray bottle. Alternatively, you can use a chemical-based mold and mildew remover, all-purpose cleaners, bleach or dish soap.

Black Mold Removal Using Vinegar

White vinegar is a mildly acidic product that cleans, deodorizes, and disinfects. It can also kill 82% of mold species, including black mold, on porous and non-porous surfaces. You can use it safely on most surfaces, and its offensive odor goes away quickly.

Mildew refers to certain kinds of mold or fungus. The term mildew is often used generically to refer to mold growth, usually with a flat growth habit. Molds include all species of microscopic fungi that grow in the form of multicellular filaments, called hyphae.

In most cases, mold on the furniture is due to a combination of excess humidity and poorly insulated exterior walls. When a dresser is right against an exterior wall, the airflow is restricted and condensation can form. In time, this condensation creates an environment conducive to mold growth.

Ward off mold with tea tree oil, cinnamon, clove oil, or thyme oil. Each option will kill mold and prevent spores from coming back. Combine a teaspoon of the oil of your preference with a cup of water in a spray bottle. After spraying, allow one hour for the solution to dry, then wipe away with a clean towel.

Do You Have to Rinse after Cleaning with Vinegar? Rinsing is not necessary! If you're simply using a vinegar and water solution to wipe and disinfect, you won't need to rinse. However, if there's also plenty of dirt and grime you're wiping away, you may also want to rinse with some extra water.

Pre-staining the wood with black tea or coffee can produce more tannins and thus, darken the wood. An oxidation solution with apple cider vinegar can also produce a slightly darker result without the need for a pre-stain.

Don't use vinegar or baking soda.

Many DIY home cleaning solutions involve the use of vinegar or baking soda, but these are, in fact, the worst things you can apply to your wood floors. They actually damage and dull the polyurethane, which can irreparably ruin them.

DEEP CLEANING

Ideally you'll want to use a detergent designed for cleaning wood. A simple solution of half a cup of distilled white vinegar, half a cup of warm water and a teaspoon of mild dish detergent like Dawn will also do the trick.

Can you use Dawn and vinegar on wood? ›

Vinegar and Soap Mixture

Vinegar and a mild dish detergent are the best way to clean finished wood when you aren't sure what type of finish is covering your furniture. Bob Vila points out that this type of solution is gentle and won't damage the furniture's finish.

Try mixing a weak solution of water and dishwashing soap. Dip a soft cloth in the solution, wring it out and wipe the entire piece. You want a damp cloth, not a wet one. Don't saturate the wood, and rinse your cloth often.

Pour 2 cups of water and 1 teaspoon of baking soda into a spray bottle and shake well. Spray the moldy area with the baking soda mixture and use a scrubbing brush or scouring pad to scrub the mold. Wearing protective gloves will protect you from direct contact. Use clean, warm water to rinse the area.

In a study testing the effects of various mold-killers, hydrogen peroxide was found to be moderately effective at killing mold on nonporous surfaces, albeit less potently than bleach.

Put 3% hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle and spray it directly onto the mold growing on the hard surface. Allow the hydrogen peroxide to sit for 10 minutes or until it stops bubbling. Use a soft brush or rag to gently scrub and loosen the mold. Use a firmer scrub if needed, but be careful not to damage the surface.

The abrasiveness of baking soda can ruin sealants and finishes of wood and even cause staining. Instead, opt for a mixture of dish soap and water to clean any wood surfaces. If you have used baking soda and stained the wood, you will likely have to sand back the area and reseal it to fix it.

The ammonia in original Windex can damage wood, so if there's a mess on your backyard deck, keep the Windex inside. “Wood is a natural surface that can dry out and crack, like your skin,” says Glickman.

The Vinegar

Vinegar is one of those incredible all-around house cleaners that seems to be able to do anything. In the case of cleaning wood, the acetic acid in it cleans quickly and without any heavy scrubbing, leaving your wood safe and its surface clean.

Toxic mold can also have a grayish, soot-like texture, or a slimy, wet surface. In some cases, you may even notice furry orange or brown spots. If you find mold with any of these qualities in your home, don't get too close, and call a professional right away.

Can moldy furniture be saved? Like moldy clothes, moldy furniture can sometimes be saved, depending on the time and amount of mold exposure. If you attempt to clean your moldy furniture and it doesn't budge, then you'll need to dispose of the item.

Are black spots on wood mold? ›

Generally, molds produce spores that are clearly visible as black, white, green, orange, or purple spots on the wood. There are even some molds that are not visible to the naked eye. Mold spores can easily spread to other damp surfaces, including other wood products.

It is very important to know how to clean mold from every surface of your home. The key is to remove mold before it spreads and becomes a bigger problem. Left unchecked, it can rot wood surfaces and cause indoor pollutants that can lead to health issues.

Black Mold Removal. Any porous material that has become moldy should be thrown away. This includes ceiling tiles, drywall, and carpet. In cases of extensive mold damage, professional mold remediation specialists should be called in to do the job.

The problem of mold and mildew won't go away on its own. Use these simple cleaning tips to remove and prevent mold and mildew in your home.

When mold spores are inhaled, immune system cells surround and destroy them. But people who have a weakened immune system from illness or immunosuppressant medications have fewer infection-fighting cells. This allows aspergillus to take hold, invading the lungs and, in the most serious cases, other parts of the body.

Overview. If you have a mold allergy, your immune system overreacts when you breathe in mold spores. A mold allergy can cause coughing, itchy eyes and other symptoms that make you miserable. In some people, a mold allergy is linked to asthma and exposure causes restricted breathing and other airway symptoms.

Iron oxide stains in wood are usually dark spots caused by prolonged exposure to water and / or metal. The iron oxide reacts with the tannins in the wood and stains it black. Wood can intentionally be stained black in the same way, and that's called Ebonizing.

Tips on Cleaning Outdoor Furniture

Don't use vinegar. Although vinegar is excellent at cleaning grime, it can also damage your landscaping. To clean patio furniture safely, stick with dish soap or oxygenated bleach which, despite the name, isn't harmful to plants like chlorine bleach would be.

What kind of vinegar kills mold on wood? ›

Cleaning vinegar, which contains 6% acetic acid, is the best type for killing mold. White vinegar containing 5% acidity will also work just fine. If you don't already have some at home, white vinegar can be inexpensively purchased at most grocery stores.

Spray white distilled vinegar onto the mold, then let it sit for an hour. Rinse with warm clean water before following up with a second application of vinegar. Let the vinegar dry without rinsing it away.

Clean outdoor wood furniture lightly with a damp cloth and mild soapy solution or warm water. If the piece requires deeper cleaning, scrub with a soft scrub brush or toothbrush and mix of water and dishwasher detergent. Always scrub in the same direction as the wood grain.

To remove grime, use a mild oil-based soap, such as Murphy Oil Soap, mixed with warm water. Mix 1/4-cup ammonia, 2 tablespoons white vinegar, and 1 quart of warm water for a DIY cleaning solution. Commercial wood cleaners are also effective for cleaning patio furniture, but read directions carefully.

Like moldy clothes, moldy furniture can sometimes be saved, depending on the time and amount of mold exposure. If you attempt to clean your moldy furniture and it doesn't budge, then you'll need to dispose of the item.

If the wood is rough or an old finish remains, sand with 150-220 grit sandpaper until smooth and remove all dust with a vacuum or a cloth dampened with mineral spirits. Spray the wood with a garden hose, and use a wood cleaner/brightener to remove any gray oxidation on the wood and clean any dirt or foreign matter.

Black mold can be a gray or green color.

Like most molds, black mold starts to grow as fuzzy white fibers, looking similar to a cotton ball.

For a DIY outdoor furniture cleaning solution, mix one gallon of warm water with 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda. Scrub the area thoroughly with a scrub brush, and use an old toothbrush to reach small crevices between materials like synthetic rattan (made from plastic).

Diluted vinegar can dissolve the finish that protects the wood and leave it looking cloudy, dull, or scratched. (The same goes for wood furniture.)