I have many allergies. Is it safe to use reclaimed wood in my house?

Karen Merritt3
by Karen Merritt3
  4 answers
  • Judy Judy on May 20, 2017

    This may depends on what is your alergy. If you lay a piece of board in your home, for a week or so, you will know if this is what you are used to, or if it is ok. Use gloves, in case there is something on the board. Best wishes, J.

  • Have you been tested? Do you know specifically what you are allergic to?


    If you want to do a project with reclaimed wood, I would buy the wood and store in your garage or spare room. If no reaction, you are goid to go. If not, just resell the wood to another DIY'er.

  • Marcie Marcie on May 20, 2017

    Yes. The question I have, though, is how the wood will collect dust. It's not necessarily the wood itself (as long as it's clear of anything moldy), but how it will collect dust. My kids, with many, many allergies, need to have clean surfaces , not dust collectors.

    • Karen Merritt3 Karen Merritt3 on May 24, 2017

      Mold, mildew and dust are at the top of my list for allergies. Sometimes pieces of old furniture has a musty smell and I have to pass on buying them.

  • C. D. Scallan C. D. Scallan on May 23, 2017

    Just dust it like you do everything else . I have the same problem with allergies and had the same concerns . I bought a huge beam that my husband and I have used to make a coat rack, two shelves , a frame for a mirror and several other things . I dust them with Endust multipurpose like everything else in house . No issues .

    • Karen Merritt3 Karen Merritt3 on May 24, 2017

      Thank you for your reply. I've seen so many nice things made with reclaimed wood. I'm going to give it a try.