How To Kill Mold On Particle Board

If you have particle board that's been exposed to flooding, you may spot mold growth. Particle board is a type of pressed wood used  to make inexpensive wooden items. It is highly porous, making it susceptible to mold. Untreated mold can eat through the particle board, and it may cause various health issues.

Mold can be tricky to remove on particle board, but it's not impossible. Here are tips to do it.

Prepare to Work

For this project, you need:

  • plastic gloves
  • safety glasses
  • cloths or towels
  • N95-respirator
  • electric fans
  • bucket
  • sponge
  • scrub brush
  • spray bottle
  • oxygen bleach 
  • stain blocker

Don't touch mold with your bare hands. Always wear gloves. You should also wear an N-95 breathing mask. Work in long sleeves and long pants to protect the skin. Locate and fix the source of moisture, which could be busted pipes, a leaky roof, or lack of weather stripping on doors or windows. 

Determine if mold is present. Mold commonly has a musty smell, and appears in black, orange, green, or white patches. Examine the size of the molded area. For mold areas more than ten square feet, contact a professional cleaner. 

Dry the Water

If the surface is still wet, open the windows and set up fans to dry out the moisture. Use a sponge  to dab visible water away, and give the mold a pre-cleaning. 

A hair dryer may be used to dry small areas. If possible, transfer removable non-moldy surfaces to air dry naturally, which can take several days.

Clean the Mold

Fill a spray bottle with cool water, and dampen the mold surface to prevent mold spores from getting in the air. Ensure the area stays ventilated, and take periodic breaks even when you wear a mask.

Combine a gallon of oxygen bleach with a gallon of lukewarm water in a bucket. Oxygen bleach is less toxic than peroxide bleach, and it won't stain the wood. Test the solution on a hidden area to check for any reaction.

Dip the scrub brush in the mixture. Use the brush to scrub the mold. Change brushes as needed. Avoid getting the scrub brush too wet, since the moisture will easily seep through the surface. Run a light stream of cold water over the brush to rinse it. Use a clean cloth or towel to dry the area, then repeat the process if needed. 

Prevention is the best way to treat particle board mold. Clean up spills or flooding immediately, and apply a stain blocker to the surface. If you don't trust your skill, or the mold keeps coming back, contact a professional cleaning service. Check out sites like for more information.