How Does Bleach Kill Mold

So Does Bleach Kill Mold

Technically speakingyes it can.

But it isntthat cut and dry. You see, germs and bacteria, like salmonella and influenza,require a host to thrive. While they will live for a periodof time outside the body, they will eventually die without a host. This makes cleaningwith bleach an effective way to kill germs and bacteria because they dont havethe means to reproduce outside of a host.

Mold is much more complicated than that. Hence why it causes far greater destruction than a virus. Mold is a naturally occurring airborne fungus that aids in the decomposition of organic materials. If you have mold growing in your home, you also have mold spores in the air. Instead of an animal or human host, mold lives on organic material and moisture. .

Since moldspores can soak into a surface, mold can outrun bleach. A virus or bacteriacant do that because they live on surfaces. So if you catch a mold spore atthe right moment, bleach MAY be able to remove it but it could also cause someother issues along the way. Read on

Should I Use Bleach To Clean Up Mold

Biocides are substances that can destroy living organisms. The use of a chemical or biocide that kills organisms such as mold is not recommended as a routine practice during mold cleanup. There may be instances, however, when professional judgment may indicate its use . In most cases, it is not possible or desirable to sterilize an area a background level of mold spores will remain – these spores will not grow if the moisture problem has been resolved. If you choose to use disinfectants or biocides, always ventilate the area and exhaust the air to the outdoors. Never mix chlorine bleach solution with other cleaning solutions or detergents that contain ammonia because toxic fumes could be produced.

Please note: Dead mold may still cause allergic reactions in some people, so it is not enough to simply kill the mold, it must also be removed.

For more information on mold:

Does Bleach Kill Mold The Answer May Surprise You

As a mold remediation professional, Ive heard this story too many times to count. A person discovers some mold on a basement wall or attic ceiling and goes right for spray bottle filled with chlorine bleach in an effort to remove the mold.

I can see why this might seem like a good idea. You probably use bleach to clean your kitchens and bathrooms and many of us have grown up with the notion that bleach is a powerful chemical agent that cleans up just about anything.

The only problem is when it comes to using bleach to kill mold, its not as straight forward as you think and heres why.

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The Effects Of Using Bleach On Porous Surfaces

But just in case you need more convincing, here are some other facts for you to consider:

• OSHA has stated that bleach should not be used in mold remediation.
• Using bleach on wood can actually drive the mold deeper inside the fibers causing more problems for you later.
• Bleach used on drywall can emit chlorine gas for a week or more.
• Because bleach is mostly water, you can actually feed the mold root with what it needs to grow moisture.
• Bleach is toxic.

To simply sum it up, using bleach on a surface like wood or drywall is going to cause more harm than good.

Bleach Is Very Corrosive

Again the killing mold with bleach directions says to not use a garden sprayer or spray bottle when applying bleach. This is for two reasons, the first is that bleach will most likely enter your lungs, eyes, and mouth or splash on your skin and clothes. But, the main reason, put forth by the manufacturer, is it will corrode the metal parts of the trigger assembly and make it less effective. I think the first reason should be the main reason.

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Formula Using White Vinegar To Remove Mildew From Canvas

For generations, people have been using white vinegar as a cleaner around the house. If you are a boat owner, vinegar can be a helpful product to use to clean your boat too.

Vinegar has many uses. One of the most helpful is using vinegar to remove mildew from your boat. If you do not want to use bleach to clean your boat canvas, white vinegar is a good alternative to try.

Mix up a solution that is 1/2 white vinegar and 1/2 water. The brand of vinegar does not matter, I buy the cheapest gallon of vinegar I can find.

You can also use 100% white vinegar and forgo the water. I have been known to put the vinegar in a pump sprayer and soak down the canvas. I let is sit for up to an hour and I try to keep it wet the whole time.

If it starts to dry, I will mist it with a garden hose to help keep the vinegar wet and on the mildew stains. After it sits for that long, I use a soft scrub brush the agitate the canvas until the mildew comes off. Then I blast it with a ton of freshwater.

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How To Effective Remove Mold In Your Home Or Business

There are several products that can be utilized to kill and remove mold. Some effective products that kill mold are:

• Bleach
• Tea tree oil
• Grapefruit seed extract

While these types of products can be effective in killing mold, they are only efficient when you recognize the first signs of mold growth and manage to prevent its development. In addition to eliminating the mold you see, you must also eliminate the source of the moisture that allowed its appearance in the first place. For many people, while doing it yourself may be an option to remove the mold it is often done incompletely providing only a temporary solution to your mold problem.

It is always best to hire a professional mold remediation company when you see mold but, if the mold in your home is not toxic and the area of mold growth is small then you can try to perform the mold remediation on your own.

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Can Bleach Lead To Further Mold Growth

Bleach constitutes 90% water, and since molds need moisture to thrive, it might lead to further growth. When bleach is applied on porous surfaces containing molds, the chlorine contents dry within seconds, leaving water on the surface. This water will be sucked into the porous surface, reaching the molds roots. If you have been wondering why the mold situation in your home gets worse after applying bleach instead of lessening, now you have your answer. Moreover, the bleach might cause mold to grow in areas that were not infested previously.

After prolonged use, bleach will become ineffective in cleaning and treating molds. The substances might get resistant to bleach, leading to ineffectiveness. The only long-term solution to cleaning mold is through professional companies. For molds to go away completely, they must be removed from the roots and spores cleared off. This is the only way the air quality in your home will become better.

Does Bleach Destroy Wood

Our corporate headquarters is located near the Great Smokie Mountains, and we have lots of log home cabins in the area. It seems many people clean their log cabins with bleach before applying finishes. This is a big no no according to Perma-Chink® Systems, Inc. the maker of a product called Lifeline. Here is what they say about bleach and its effect on lignin.

“Chlorine bleach destroys lignin, a component of wood that hardens and strengthens the cell walls. Once the surface cellular structure loses its integrity, film-forming finishes like Lifeline have no sound wood to bond to, and can peel off.” Read article.

If bleach can do that to log cabins, I imagine spraying bleach on the wood in your crawl space is not good. The destruction of lignin will weaken your joists and subfloors and can lead to the need for replacement.

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Does Bleach Kill Mold In Fabric

Mold can be a significant problem for your clothes and house. It may permanently damage clothes. Therefore, always adopt proper actions against this infestation. However, such a grave problem can be solved using bleach.

Does bleach kill mold in fabric? Bleach can effectively remove mold from fabrics. However, bleach can fade and ruin colored clothes. Thats why you may use bleach for treating white items. Employ borax, vinegar, sunlight, hot water, lemon juice, or baking soda for other fabric types.

To know more, read this article and save your gorgeous gown and jeans.

Bleach Will Not Work On Porous Materials

Experienced mold removal specialists understand that the most effective way to deal with mold is to first find the moisture source and make sure it is fixed.

The next step is to remove the mold contaminated porous materials.

Proper removal of mold contaminated materials like drywall, carpet, soft goods, insulation, and other porous materials is essential because mold has hyphae, which are basically roots that embed themselves in the material.

Bleach only removes the color from mold. After you spray bleach, only the surface appears clean. But the problem is, the molds roots, or hyphae, continue to grow. This is the reason that bleach does not work. Bleach may kill some of the surface mold, but it will not be able to penetrate and kill the roots.

In fact, bleach encourages toxic mold growth on porous surfaces because it provides excess moisture. Bleach contains about 90% water. Spraying this is counter-productive because water is an essential ingredient mold needs to grow. When you apply bleach to a surface, the chlorine quickly evaporates leaving behind a lot of water. Then, when the water soaks into porous surfaces like wood, it encourages mold growth. So, bleach can actually make your mold problem worse.

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Causes Of Growing Mold In Fabrics

Sometimes you may notice mold on your walls and tiles and dont bother to pay attention to it. However, this matter shouldnt be neglected. Like walls, mold can grow on your fabrics and affect your wellbeing. Surprisingly, mold can trigger allergic reactions and weaken the bodys immune system.

Two main factors behind mold growth are dampness and improper ventilation. Sometimes, you may prefer to store clothes in closet without drying them properly. As a result, mold attracts those wet clothes quickly in just 24 to 48 hours.

Thats why always try to air dry clothes properly. Or, throw them in dryers. But, most importantly, never leave your items in the washer for too long. As a rule of thumb, remove garments from washer as soon as the cycle finishes.

Humid weather is another reason behind mold growth. Therefore, always keep the humidity level of your house below 50%. Mold can grow massively in an above 50% humid environment.

Cleaning Mold With Vinegar

White distilled vinegar is effective for killing small amounts of mold. It can kill over 80 percent of mold species commonly found in your home and as a mild acid, it can help prevent mold as well as remove it. Make sure you follow these steps when cleaning mold with vinegar:

• Protect yourself from exposure to the mold by wearing protective gear such as gloves and a mask.
• Pour the vinegar into a spray bottle but do not dilute it. Diluting the vinegar will reduce its effectiveness.
• Spray the moldy areas and let the vinegar sit for an hour so that the mold can absorb it completely.
• If you need to scrub the mold, do so with a baking soda solution. Pour 2 cups of water and 1 teaspoon of baking soda into a spray bottle and shake well.
• Spray the moldy area with the baking soda mixture and use a scrubbing brush or scouring pad to scrub the mold. Wearing protective gloves will protect you from direct contact.
• Use clean, warm water to rinse the area.
• Spray the vinegar again over the area and let it dry naturally to make sure all the mold has been killed.

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Does Bleach Kill Bacteria Viruses And Mold

Here are tips to help homeowners understand the best ways to get rid of existing spores or prevent new growth.

Mold is a common problem in many households. In fact, global studies have found that around a big portion of homes contain Cladosporium molds which are often dark brown or black, others contain penicillium molds which can appear in shades of blue or green. Not only is mold not particularly nice to look at, but it can also cause a wide range of health problems, especially in children with weak immune systems or in adults who suffer from allergies or asthma.Unfortunately, thereâs a lot of different and confusing advice on how to clean mold that has resulted in many homeowners not fully understanding the best ways to get rid of existing spores or prevent new growth. So, does bleach kill bacteria, viruses and mold?

The short answer is yes, but with considerations. It is proven that bleach is great for cleaning mold on smooth non-porous surfaces such as ceramic tiles and sinks. However, it has a harder time on porous surfaces, such as concrete or wood because the mold âhidesâ within the material.

Bleach is a powerful cleaner that can attack mold spores that have started to grow in your home. This is because it contains the active ingredient sodium hypochlorite which is effective at killing viruses, bacteria, and fungi by attacking their protein structures and deforming them.

How To Clean Mold From Wood

To remove mold from painted or stained lumber:

To remove mold from raw, untreated lumber:

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Tip On How To Get Rid Of Mold On Wood Using Bleach

In extreme cases or the case of untreated wood, mold can penetrate the wood and make itself at home. If it penetrates, you will need a stronger cleaner something more than just soap and water to clean outdoor wood furniture.

• 20 parts water

You can make up as much or as little of this powerful cleaning solution as you would like, as long as you keep the parts the same. In a big bucket mix together all three ingredients. Apply the bleach solution to the wood using a stiff-bristled brush or a scrubbing sponge. After scrubbing the wood, allow it to air-dry.

Use dehumidifiers and fans to help speed up the drying process, but allow the wood to dry for at least three days. Inspect the wood for any signs of mold, and look and smell the wood. If mold is still present, your best mold remediation is to clean with the bleach solution again.

Once you know its is no longer present, seal the wood with a primer or pigmented shellac from your local hardware stores. If mold is still present or you notice mold stains, your only other option is to sand the wood. Using sandpaper to sand down the wood allows you to reach the mold or stains that are deep inside.

You dont want to do a quick sanding instead, slowly sand the wood until either the mold or the mold stains are gone. Once gone, you should stain, paint, or treat the wood to help prevent future problems.

Other Tips For Mold Prevention And Cleanup

• The key to preventing mold is controlling moisture. If an unexpected leak or flood occurs, wet items and surfaces must be thoroughly dried within 24 to 48 hours otherwise, assume mold will grow.
• Keep indoor humidity below 60 percent and vent appliances that produce moisture, such as stoves and dryers.
• Improve ventilation and air flow in bathrooms by using fans or opening windows when showering.
• Cover cold surfaces, such as cold water pipes, with insulation to prevent condensation.
• Mold may be hidden in places such as behind drywall, underneath carpets, and in ceiling tiles. Investigate thoroughly if you notice or suspect signs of mold.

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How Do You Use Vinegar To Clean Mold

To safely and effectively clean a small area of mold, ServiceMaster advises the following:

To protect yourself from mold and its spores, wear gloves, a mask and goggles. Gloves also prevent any skin irritation from the vinegar.