Certain types of mold can pose a serious health risk to you and your family, but any mold in your home is a potential problem. You may be able to safely remove smaller mold patches from your home with bleach or vinegar. Still, it’s important to understand when this job is too big or too risky for you to handle, and it’s time to call in a professional mold remediation service.
Use our best bleach solution for mold in your home or garage for small problems.
Using a Safe Bleach Mix to Kill Mold
Bleach kills mold effectively on non-porous surfaces like tile flooring and other smooth building materials. The CDC recommends using a specific bleach-to-water ratio for mold removal.
To kill mold in your home safely, you will need:
- A bucket
- 1 cup bleach
- 1 gallon of water
- Rag or cloth
Follow these steps carefully to apply your bleach-water solution to the affected area and kill mold spores:
- Pour the bleach-water solution into the bucket.
- Fill a spray bottle to make applying the solution to contaminated areas easier.
- Saturate mold thoroughly and let it sit for 1-2 hours.
- Carefully scrub the mold away and rinse carefully with water.
- Allow the area to air-dry thoroughly.
Can You Use Bleach Safely to Remove Mold?
As dangerous as mold can be, treating it with bleach should also be taken seriously. Bleach is not considered a toxic chemical, but it can cause eye, nose, mouth, and throat irritation. Bleach also causes rashes on exposed skin and may trigger asthmatic symptoms or breathing problems in those who may be susceptible.
Follow these basic precautions to stay safe while using a bleach cleaning solution for mold:
- Always wear rubber gloves and eye protection when working with bleach.
- Never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaning products.
- Open doors and windows to improve ventilation.
Related Topic: How to Remove Mold from Shower Caulk or Tile Grout
Is Bleach or Vinegar Better to Kill Mold?
Vinegar is an excellent option to replace bleach as your go-to mold killer. Much less harsh than bleach, the acid in vinegar kills roughly 82% of mold types. In fact, the EPA recommends using vinegar instead of bleach in most situations. Except for emergency clean-up after a natural disaster, vinegar is your best option to remove small amounts of mold from porous surfaces like wood.
Worried whether vinegar will kill mold on hard surfaces? Rest assured that vinegar, like bleach, will kill mold on concrete, tile, and non-porous surfaces, too.
Does Bleach Prevent Mold?
Bleach can prevent mold on surfaces but will not treat the underlying causes of mold beneath the surface, such as high indoor humidity or a leaking pipe behind a wall. Regular cleaning can help identify possible leaks and reduce the chances of allowing moisture to linger.
Also, mold spores deeply ingrained in wood and drywall can grow back even if the surface has been treated for mold. Using bleach to prevent mold may expose you and your family to harmful bleach fumes.
What Level of Mold Requires Remediation?
Mold damage is evaluated on a scale of 1-5. Level 1 mold damage is low risk and can be addressed by homeowners taking the appropriate measures described above. Level 4 mold damage refers to an area of mold contamination of 10 square feet or more. Level 5 is reserved for mold in an HVAC system, which significantly increases the risk of spreading mold spores throughout your home.
Keep Your Home Safe, Clean, and Healthy
Stay ahead of potential mold issues with regular cleaning services from your local Molly Maid. Our experienced, professional cleaners will work with you to create a personalized cleaning plan that fits your needs and your schedule.
Our team can even target high-risk mold areas like showers, tubs, sinks, and fridges. Let us help you keep your home clean and comfortable throughout the year. To learn more or to get started, call or request an estimate online today!
