How to Kill Mildew on Untreated Wood Surfaces

Untreated wood surfaces can enhance the appearance of your home or outdoor living space. Furniture, siding and decks naturally weather over time, giving them an appealingly rustic look. When exposed to warmth and moisture, untreated wood can quickly become stained with mildew. Unless treated, the mildew stains will continue to spread over the wood and onto nearby surfaces. You can kill mildew and get rid of its ugly stains using common household supplies. With the proper treatment, you can restore your untreated wood to its former appealingly natural state.

Things You'll Need

• Scrub brush
• Old clothes
• Rubber gloves
• Goggles
• Bucket
• 4 ounces Trisodium phosphate
• Paint stirrer
• Garden hose

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Allow the untreated wood to dry in direct sunlight, if possible. Once the wood is dry, brush the wood in a downward motion to remove mildew spores.

   • 2

     Wear old clothes; use rubber gloves and goggles to protect yourself from irritation due to chemicals.

   • 3

     Fill a bucket with 1 gallon of warm water. Add 4 ounces of trisodium phosphate (TSP). Mix the solution with a paint stirrer.

   • 4

     Dip the scrub brush in the TSP solution. Scrub the untreated wood to kill the remaining mildew and remove the stains. Rinse the scrub brush as needed. Apply more TSP and continue to scrub until the entire surface is clean.

   • 5

     Rinse the untreated wood with a garden hose to remove the TSP solution and dead mildew spores. Allow the wood to air-dry completely.