In central New Jersey, we're still recovering from the aftermath of Hurricane Irene. More than anything else, mold is still running rampant in homes and basements.

Unfortunately, many people still believe that bleach can effectively kill mold. I was just at a soccer game and the guy in front of me was telling a story about how he still has things in the basement to take out, and he was just going to bleach the walls to kill the mold and then not worry about it. Some people have been taken by a company that is supposedly a mold remediation company.  The company comes in with pump sprayer filled with bleach and sprays the walls down.  We have come in to their homes and truly remediated the mold.   

In April, we posted some common myths about the ineffectiveness of bleach, and I would encourage you to look at some of these suggestions again.

(1) The object to killing mold is to kill its “roots”.  Mold remediation involves the need to disinfect wood and wood based materials, all of which are porous materials. Thus, chlorine bleach should not be used in mold remediation as confirmed by OSHA’s Mold Remediation/ Clean Up Methods guidelines. The use of bleach as a mold disinfectant is best left to kitchen and bathroom countertops, tubs and shower glass, etc.

Additionally, please remember that chlorine bleach is a biocide that, while it can kill mold, is not recommended for personal use. Professionals may choose to use bleach in certain key circumstances for which they have been specially trained. Under normal circumstances, biocides cannot effectively sterilize an area. As mold is caused by moisture problems, the chlorine will not treat the source or prevent the mold's return.

Please, when faced with mold, consult a professional on the best way to remediate the problem completely, once and for all. But remember, if you ignore this advice, always vent properly when using harsh biocide disinfectants, and never mix chlorine with any substance; poor ventilation and mixed chemicals can lead to fatal, toxic fumes.