You would remember any wood paneling in an outdoor space would get enough fresh air to go on mold and mildew growth at bay, but that wasn't the case with the cedar wood ceiling in our outdoor porch. The porch was completely enclosed and covered with heavy blinds, which trapped the reoccurring humidity and (sometimes) moisture. Though there was a fan to assistance air motion about, it wasn't on all the time. Most of the ceiling became a habitat for blackness mold spores. The cleaning tips below are useful for any wood surface in your home (even accent walls behind piece of furniture).

Mitigating mold is sometimes best left to the pros, and for good reason, just you can tackle smaller problems yourself when the mold is visible and easily attainable.

Before You lot Begin

  • E'er wear gloves when you're scrubbing mold. If yous have sure skin sensitivities, clothing long sleeves.
  • Wear a respirator mask to prevent inhaling spores and fumes from whatsoever chemicals you're using.
  • Be aware that many cleaning solutions volition treat non-porous surfaces. To treat porous surfaces, like wood, you lot'll need more than a elementary spray downward. I'll talk through the treatment process below. If your paneling is a processed wood, like MDF, you may need to replace it considering the surface can't hands absorb the appropriate cleansers without farther harm.
  • Regardless of what blazon of mold removal solution you use, examination information technology in a small area to be sure it doesn't damage unfinished wood and run across if information technology effectively mitigates the mold.
  • If the mold is astringent, consider consulting with a pro.

Try These Solutions

  1. 1 cup water + i tablespoon liquid detergent + i/two cup baking soda
  2. one cup white vinegar + 1 loving cup water
  3. powerful mold cleanser found in stores (usually an ammonium chloride solution)
  4. hydrogen peroxide (3%)

Wear your protective gear (respirator and gloves), and soak an old sponge in your cleanser. Apply it direct to the moldy surface, and let the forest soak up the solution. Utilize a generous amount of cleanser, just non so much that it'due south dripping from the ceiling.

Next, use a scrubber to arouse the surface. A handheld scrub sponge or a bristle brush with a long handle will make the task easier.

If the mold is especially stubborn on unfinished wood, repeat past dampening the wood with a sponge. This fourth dimension, take sandpaper to the surface to assist clear the mold and cleanse downward to the mold'south roots. Dampening the forest's surface start helps prevent the spores from condign airborne.

Allow the solution to dry once so it fully absorbs and kills off the mold at the root, rather than simply treating the surface. The once moldy boards will quickly exist mitigated.

Keeping the space well-ventilated is the most important practice because poor ventilation and trapped moisture caused the issue in the first place. Room fans, open windows, and air conditioners are all easy means to keep the wooden ceilings in your dwelling house mold- and fungus-free. Consistent cleaning (nigh ii times a year) will too aid continue the reoccurrence of mold at bay.