Does Bleach Kill Mold? Dangers of Bleach & Alternatives

Does Bleach Kill Mold? 

Mold can be killed by bleach if it is able to penetrate the surface. Bleach does not penetrate porous surfaces well, which is why the ‘bleach doesn’t kill mold’ myth exists. Therefore, if you have mold on wood, it is likely there is mold within the wood itself, and sterilizing the surface of the wood will not affect the mold and spores beneath.

The use of vinegar and hydrogen peroxide will also kill mold, but both do a better job of getting into porous surfaces, and are non-toxic, so you can leave them on the surface for a prolonged period of time while they penetrate.

What’s the best way to kill mold? Bleach? | Does Bleach Kill Mold? 

Mold can be killed by bleach if it is able to penetrate the surface. Bleach does not penetrate porous surfaces well, which is why the ‘bleach doesn’t kill mold’ myth exists.

You can find mold almost anywhere, but it needs moisture to grow. The smell of mold may first alert you, or you may find patches of black, brown, yellow, pink, green, fuzzy growths.

Mold can be easily removed from tub and tile surfaces with bleach, since they’re hard and impervious. Bleach can’t kill mold on porous surfaces, like wooden surfaces.

The reason for this is that mold spreads deep into porous surfaces. Mold will continue to grow beneath the surface even after you use bleach and wipe it off, so it will come back soon after you clean the area.

How to remove mold from nonporous surfaces with bleach |Does Bleach Kill Mold? 

Despite the fact bleach doesn’t remove mold from porous surfaces, it still works on nonporous ones.

Here are some steps you can take:

Use a window fan or open your doors and windows to let in some fresh air.

Make sure you’re wearing protective gear, like gloves, masks, and eye goggles.

Add 1 cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water.

Fill a spray bottle with the mixture.

Spray it on the mold and let it dry.

A stiff brush is recommended if surfaces are rough.

Dry the surfaces by air drying after rinsing them with clean water.

Immediately throw away any sponges or cloths that have been used.

When you use bleach to kill mold, there are some health concerns

Although household bleach isn’t toxic or corrosive, prolonged exposure may cause irritation to the eyes, mouth, lungs, and skin. When you have a respiratory condition like asthma, it might be even worse.

Due to bleach’s reactive nature, most health concerns are associated with it.

Besides reacting with ammonia, bleach can also release chlorine gas when in contact with drain cleaners and other acids. Low levels can irritate mucous membranes, resulting in coughing, breathing issues, watery eyes, and runny noses.

As a result of inhaling large amounts of chlorine gas, the following health effects may occur:

chest pain

severe breathing problems

fluid in the lungs

pneumonia

vomiting

The immediate exposure to bleach can also damage your skin, especially if you do not rinse it off afterward. Whenever you use bleach, use gloves, regardless of how much water it has been diluted with. You should immediately rinse your skin if it splashes on you.

Nontoxic alternatives for cleaning mold

Luckily, there are many nontoxic options for mold cleanup on both porous and nonporous surfaces.

A hydrogen peroxide solution. Spray a solution made up of 1 part hydrogen peroxide and 1 part water into a spray bottle. Before removing mold, apply the solution and allow it to sit for a few minutes.

Bleach contains a lot of water and may stimulate mold growth if you use it to kill mold on soft materials. The water in the bleach is absorbed by the material, feeding the mold that survived inside it. Consequently, mold may regrow on the surface within a week or two if the material isn’t dried properly. You can thus end up in a cycle of repeatedly trying to bleach mold, only to have it persistently return.

Not only is bleach ineffective against mold on wood, it’s also corrosive and extremely harmful to these materials. Wood that is treated with bleach becomes weakened by breaking down its fibers. This can compromise the structural integrity of your home.

Bleach loses its power with time – it is 50% less effective in 90 days even if its container is not opened.

Using bleach can damage your health. Bleach can give you burns if it touches your skin, and the gas from bleach can harm your lungs. Contact with eyes may cause pain and irritation. Bleach can also damage the eye tissues if it stays for a longer time.

Dead mold may still cause allergic reactions in some people. Thus, it’s not enough to simply kill the mold, it must also be removed.

So what are the alternatives? If you have a small mold infestation (less than 10 square feet), use natural mold killing products, such as borax, vinegar, or a simple solution of detergent and water, baking soda, and tea tree oil. These substances don’t pose a threat to your health.

And remember, after the surface has been cleaned, it must be dried properly. Drying is the key to keeping mold growth in check. If you have a larger mold problem, seek professional help from a mold remediation company. They can properly remove mold and dry the area to ensure mold doesn’t return.

For mold removal and water damage repair services, contact PuroClean of Lansdale.

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