Why Mustnt You Use Bleach
Although, bleach may be an effective mold removal for non-porous surfaces as described above, there are still many factors that may encourage you to go for its alternatives. The Environmental Protection Agency does not recommend its use for mold removal because of the side effects it causes on ones health.
Bleach being a hard, corrosive chemical, may damage the surface it is used on
The fumes emitted by the chemical is harsh on your lungs. Prolong inhalation can scar the esophagus lining, and lungs
Contact with eyes may cause pain and irritation. If it stays for a longer time, it can also damage the eye tissues
Bleach does not remove black mold or any other mold type from carpet and upholstery too
Using bleach fills the area with an unpleasant, strong odor. Also, if it is combined with ammonia, it produces highly toxic gases
Getting Rid Of Mold With Grapefruit Seed Extract
Grapefruit seed extract is an effective natural mold killer. It has almost no odor and you can buy it from most health food stores. The citric acid from the grapefruit attacks the mold. It also disinfects the area and deodorizes the area.
A Few Facts To Remember About Bleach And Mold
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Does Chlorine Bleach Kill Mold
Terry Beckett & nbsp | & nbsp Jan 20, 2019
The Myth.
A myth exists concerning the use and effectiveness of chlorine bleach in the remediation of a mold problem.
Opposing Views and Confusion.
Chlorine / Laundry bleach is generally perceived to be an accepted and answer-all biocide to abate mold in the remediation processes. Well-intentioned recommendations of health departments and other provincal and local agencies are perpetuating that belief. The Environmental Protection Agency wrote-out/edited their A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home to exclude their once recommended use of bleach as a mold clean-up agent.
Does Bleach Really Kill Mold?
Why Chlorine Bleach is NOT Recommended for Mold Remediation.
Clorine bleach is corrosive and that fact is stated on the product label . Yet the properties of chlorine bleach prevent it from soaking into wood-based building materials to get at the deeply embedded mycelia of mold. The object to killing mold is to kill its roots. Reputable mold remediation contractors use appropriate products that effectively disinfect properly scrubbed and cleaned salvageable mold infected wood products. Beware of any mold inspector, mold remediation contractor or other individual that recommends or uses chlorine bleach for mold clean up on wood-based building materials.
Chlorine Bleach Is Active Ingredient in New Mold & Mildew Products.
Caveat Emptor!
Why Did The Mold Come Back After Cleaning With Bleach
While using bleach to kill mold does work, it can still return within weeks or even days. This is because mold will grow on almost anything as long as it remains wet for two reasons.
First, it can grow deep inside almost anything. So while you may kill it from the surface, its still alive inside. Second, mold is all around us in the air. Although its dormant, it can blow into your home through an open window or door. Then this new mold will land on the wet area and grow.
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How To Kill Mold With Ammonia
How To Remove Mold From The Concrete Patio
The paramount solution is to scrub and clean the troubled areas on the patio with a simple solution of household bleach and water. Be sure to wash aggressively to get down into the pores of the concrete. Let the detergent or bleach solution soak in for a while to ensure that the entire mold is killed. For densely stained patios, use a pressure water pipe to clear off the whole mold.
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How To Use Lysol To Kill Mold
- Before treating or introducing Lysol to the affected area, clean that area using a scrub brush as well as a mixture containing warm water and detergent.
- To get rid of mold, simply spray Lysol on the area that is affected by mold and mildew until it becomes completely wet or soaked into the chemical.
- Let it stay there for one or two minutes. If the stains are old and tough, leave the disinfectant to do its work for up to ten minutes.
- Now scrub that treated area to loosen molds grip on the surface.
- Then wipe the loosened spores with a clean cloth.
- After this, by pouring water on the area rinse it thoroughly and leave it to get dried completely.
- Drying is important because it will ensure mold doesnt grow again in this particular area.
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Can You Mix Bleach And Vinegar To Kill Mold
If you have just spotted mold growing in your home, you are probably searching for a quick way to get rid of it before the spread gets worse.
Lucky for you, many easy-to-use home remedies can quickly clear up small mold infestations in no time at all.
One of the more commonly used mold infestation solutions is a combination of bleach and mold in the affected area. Read whether our expert team at All Dry USA thinks this concoction works!
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Do Clorox Wipes Kill Mold Instantly
No, Clorox wipes dont kill mold instantly. While they remove the appearance of mold, the roots can still linger on porous surfaces. The wipes cant reach those areas, so the mold stays behind.
Regular Clorox bleach also doesnt kill mold immediately. Even with the bleach, you need to wait several hours for the product to have an effect. The EPA recommends that you not use bleach for mold removal often since it is harmful to breathe in.
So What Should You Use To Kill Mold
There are many considerations that need to be evaluated when determining whether you should clean up the mold yourself or hire a professional. Always do your research and choose wisely. Sometimes DIY mold removal ends up being a bigger headache than it is worth and can actually cost you more money in the long run.
If you have ascertained that it is safe to clean up the mold yourself, there are a variety of options available. The most important step is to determine the cause of the moisture and make any necessary changes to assure that mold will not return and the area is properly ventilated. Some issues will need to be resolved by cutting out the moldy material and completely replacing it. This will make sure that the mold roots are removed and will not return.
You should also consider testing to determine what type of mold you are dealing with as that may help determine what type of chemical you may need to remediate it. There are a variety of mold test kits you can buy, or you can have a professional test it for you. Some types of mold and mildew are easier to get rid of than others.
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The Truth Is Using Chlorine Bleach To Kill Mold Is Probably One Of The Worst Things You Can Do
As a matter of fact, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration , stoppedrecommending the use of bleach for dealing with mold problems. And, the Environmental Protection Agency updated their guide as well, removing the suggestion to use bleach to kill mold.
The problem is, its true that bleach can kill some mold in some places some of the time. But, bleach only works to remove mold on hard, impermeable surfaces like bathtub and shower surrounds or tiles. However, on porous surfaces like drywall or hardwood floors, it wont work to kill mold or keep it from coming back.
Why?
Because mold spreads its roots deep into porous surfaces.Simply spraying a bleach solution on the surface wont kill mold spores at their roots.
How Helpful Is Bleach In Killing Black Mold
When it comes to sanitizing or disinfecting surfaces, bleach undoubtedly is an effective product to use. The substance being a powerful oxidizer, works well in getting rid of certain types of bacteria. However, if we are speaking of getting rid of black mold, then what most experts have commented may raise your eyebrows in disbelief. According to them, bleach is only helpful in killing mold that is growing on materials such as bathroom tiles, bathtubs, glass, and counter-tops.
This is because these are all non-porous surfaces. Bleach does not come in handy for surfaces that are porous.
So what stops bleach from removing mold from porous surfaces like drywall or wood? When black mold infests such areas, it not only grows on but beneath the surface too, with its roots intact. And this is what limits the efficacy of bleach, as it cannot penetrate the surface. This causes the chlorine to stay on the surface, and it is the water that gets absorbed thus, feeding the black mold spores to become worse. Some of the mold may be removed from the surface, but since its roots still remain embedded, it returns within a few days. Bleach also gets rid of the moldy color from the infested surface, and this puts most people under the impression that the mold is gone for good. But unfortunately, the toxic microflora still thrives.
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Nontoxic Alternatives For Cleaning Mold
Luckily, there are many nontoxic options for mold cleanup on both porous and nonporous surfaces.
- Hydrogen peroxide. Combine 1 part hydrogen peroxide and 1 part water in a spray bottle. Apply to mold and allow to sit before removal.
- Vinegar. Place undiluted white vinegar in a spray bottle. Apply to the mold and allow to sit for 1 hour. Wipe the surface and allow to air dry.
- Baking soda. Combine 2 tbsp. baking soda with 2 cups water in a spray bottle and shake until its completely dissolved. Spray onto the mold and let it sit before scrubbing. Afterward, rinse the area and apply the solution once more, allowing it to fully air dry.
- Tea tree oil. Mix 2 tsp. tea tree oil with either 2 cups water or 2 cups distilled white vinegar. Spray onto the mold and allow it to sit for at least 1 hour, then scrub.
- Grapefruit seed extract. Mix 10 drops of extract into 1 cup water. Spray onto the mold and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
The Dangers That You Should Know
Before you combine bleach and vinegar to kill mold, you should know that bleach is a powerful chemical that is dangerous if not used properly.
Most chemicals are highly concentrated and give off a strong aroma as a warning sign to not inhale or ingest it. Bleach is one of those chemicals. Thats because one of the main components found in bleach is chlorine, which is poisonous. While small amounts of this chemical are relatively harmless, large amounts in bleach can be incredibly toxic if used incorrectly.
Breathing in or ingesting these chemicals can be fatal, so proper safety precautions should be taken at all times so that these risks are minimized.
Vinegar is more natural and poses a lesser risk, but the combination of the two is equally as dangerous as bleach is alone.
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How To Kill Mold With Hydrogen Peroxide
Do Mold Foggers Really Work
Yes, mold foggers do work, though they probably shouldnt be your first choice when it comes to killing black mold. If the black mold has spread into a hard-to-reach area, foggers are mandatory. However, if the mold is in an easy-to-reach area, such as the wall or floor, youre better off using bleach or vinegar.
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Should You Use Bleach To Clean Mold At All
Experts advise that you should never use bleach to clean mold, whether on a porous or non-porous surface. There are many reasons for this and mainly because, using bleach to treat or clean mold can jeopardize your health.
Common household bleach is not necessarily toxic, but prolonged exposure to bleach can be very harmful to humans. When in the gaseous state, chlorine bleach produces a byproduct called dioxin, recognized as a cancer-causing compound. Hence, inhaling bleach is dangerous.
In addition to this, mixing chlorine bleach with ammonia, drain cleaners, cleansers, or any other similar chemical produces chlorine gas, which can be very harmful to health. Exposure to chlorine gas can cause a burning sensation on the skin, eyes, and nostrils. It can also negatively affect the lungs or cause breathing anomalies, mostly when used around individuals with a lung condition such as asthma.
To stress the potential harm of using bleach to kill mold, the the CDC advises against handling bleach without wearing complete personal protective gear. This includes an N95 respirator to prevent you from inhaling harmful gas, goggles, and protective gloves.
In essence, using bleach to kill mold can cause you even more harm than the mold you are trying to kill.
Benefits To A Free Consultation With A Mold Removal Specialist
- A mold removal specialist will know what type of biocide will work best against the strain or stains of mold growing in your home.
- A mold removal specialist will know what materials in your home can be cleaned and saved and which must be removed and replaced.
- A mold removal specialist will have any special equipment needed to complete the mold removal job, including safety gear, respirator masks, vacuums with HEPA filters, and negative air machines.
- A mold removal specialist will know how to handle mold safely and to prevent the spread of mold spores to other areas of your home.
- You can get plenty of helpful advice by consulting with a mold removal specialist even if you decide to handle the mold removal job yourself.
Just follow the link for a list of mold removal contractors offering free consultations in your area.
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How To Get Rid Of Black Mold With Baking Soda
- Mix baking soda directly with water in a 50/50 ratio to form a paste for lighter mold stains and prevention.
- Simply apply your paste and let dry .
- Scrub any mold stained areas lightly with a small brush.
- Wipe away any mold debris or remaining cleaning paste .
- Combine 1-2 tablespoons to 2 cups of water and mix in a bowl or pour it into a spray bottle.
- Mix and shake solution thoroughly .
- Spray or wipe a small solution of baking soda and water to the same area recently cleaned.
- Allow drying with no further rinse needed .
- Very small mold cleanup jobs can be addressed with no more than 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda and 2 cups of water.
- Shake the solution vigorously in your spray bottle and spray it on the contaminated area or wipe on with an old towel.
- Scour the affected area with a tiny brush or old towel and rinse the initial solution off with water.
- Reapply water and baking soda solution .
- Allow to dry this will leave a thin layer of protection in place to prevent the recurrence of mold growth.
Bleach As A Component In Mold Killing Products
Many products on the market today, advertised to kill mold, contain bleach. They appear to answer the question – does bleach kill mold – with a yes but it appears they often based their answer on popular opinion, not science.Despite the advice of the Occupational Health and Safety Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency, many people that have not read their recommendation still mistakenly believe bleach kills just about everything. Companies know that people will feel comfortable using bleach for mold because people wont realize its not the most effective way to get rid of mold.
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How To Clean Mold With Bleach
Use bleach to get rid of mold on nonporous surfaces as follows:
This method works on all nonporous surfaces including basement walls, roofs and even floors. Not drying the surface cleaned of mold will only encourage the mold to regrow. Also, throw away all the items that came into contact with the mold such as the brush and gloves.
