How to Remove Fungus From Plywood?

Removing fungus from plywood is a tough task, especially if you have severe mould growth. Sometimes, it’s difficult to identify the mould on wood, as they do not always look green or fuzzy. If you find any suspected mould spots on your plywood, take immediate action. You can either use a bleach solution as mentioned in the previous answer or sand the surface. I have shared a comprehensive guide on how to remove fungus from plywood below.

How to Get Rid of Fungus on Plywood?

One thing I learned is that removing fungus from wood is trickier than other surfaces like plastic, so you should always start with gentler cleaning products and detergents before trying harsh ones like bleach. Let me tell you how my sister and I removed the mould from our plywood shelf. 

• Before beginning, we opened the windows to ensure proper ventilation.

• Then, we started with a mild detergent solution and gently scrubbed the surface using a soft bristled brush. You can also use a commercial fungicide but make sure you read all the instructions before starting. 

• After scrubbing, we wiped away the residue with a damp cloth. I read somewhere that you shouldn’t rinse the cleaned surface, as it might not be effective. 

• Then, we left the wood to dry for a while before sanding. This process is optional, as most of the times you don’t require sanding if the surface is cleaned after mild detergent. If you feel the mould stains are still visible, you can use a powder sander to sand the surface.

• Once everything was done, we vacuumed the floor properly to ensure there were no mould spores left. 

These are the steps you can take to get rid of fungus from your plywood. 

We had a beautiful plywood cabinet in our kitchen which was wretched by patches of black fungus, unevenly spread across the edges. I was so disheartened to see it as it was my most loved cabinet gifted by my sister. A few of the items inside were spoiled with grey fungus. I didn’t know how to remove fungus from plywood, so I asked my friend, who suggested a few tips that I am sharing below.

How to Get Rid of Fungus on Plywood?

You can also try these DIY methods if you have mould or fungus on your attic plywood.

White Vinegar Water

This is the very first technique my friend informed me of. He said to mix equal amounts of white vinegar with water in a spray bottle and spray the affected area. Leave it for about two hours before rinsing it with water. This will not only remove the mould but also prevent any future growth.

Bleach Solution

Mix one part of bleach with three parts of water and spray in the affected areas. Let it sit for about 15 minutes before rinsing. This will remove the visible mould or fungus but cannot ensure prevention from regrowth. 

Mould Stain Remover

If your plywood has mould spreaded across the surface, consider spraying a mould stain remover on the surface and leave it to dry before wiping the surface with a scrub sponge.

All of these methods have worked mostly for surface fungus and mould. However, I tried white vinegar water technique on my cabinet and it really worked. If your plywood looks extremely swollen and crumbled, it might be because the fungus has penetrated deeper into the surface and it’s advisable to either seek a professional or replace the plywood. 

I hope these tips help you understand how to remove mold from attic plywood. 

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