Bleach is a popular household item that can be used for many different things, from cleaning your countertops to removing stains from clothing. But does it work on mold? Well, the answer is not so simple.
Bleach will kill molds in some cases, and if it's diluted enough with water, then you might have success. However, bleach also can create toxic fumes and result in respiratory issues when mixed with other chemicals such as ammonia or acetone. In addition, the smell of chlorine may linger after using bleach which could irritate eyes and lungs if prolonged exposure occurs. So before assuming Bleach is an effective solution on all types of molds, consider these consequences first!
Bleach is a mixture of chemicals constituting Sodium Hypochlorite (NaOCl), Sodium Hydroxide, Calcium Hypochlorite, and Hydrogen Peroxide. This chemical substance is great for removing color and whitening or disinfecting surfaces & clothes. Modern-day kitchens and bathrooms see the regular application of this invaluable chemical.
Apart from using for household purpose, bleach has application in agriculture and other industries like chemical, paper, paint, lime, pharmaceuticals, glass, food, waste disposal, and synthetics. You will find its wide-scale use in purifying supply water and disinfecting the water of swimming pools
Does Bleach Kill Mold?
Bleach works only on tiles and sinks whose surfaces are non-porous. It will not work on the porous surfaces like drywall and wood. Mold can grow deeply rooted within drywall and wood. When you apply bleach on a porous surface, it can’t penetrate to the deep inside to exterminate the mold. You may see that mold is gone after using bleach!! But the fact is that mold roots get energy for further growth. Therefore, if you want to eliminate mold from home, bleach is definitely not only solution.
How to Kill Mold with Bleach?
Bleach has been using as an important ingredient for killing mold for centuries after its invention in 1785 by the French Scientist Claude Louis Berthollet. Just mix a cup of bleach in a bucket containing one gallon of water. Don’t rinse after its application on the surface. If you want to get result of using bleach in porous surfaces, add a little dish soap. But after you use the new mixture, don’t forget to rinse.
Check out the video on how to remove and kill mold with bleach:
How to Get Rid of Mold in Basement with Bleach?
If you encounter the problem of growing mold in the basement area of home and other properties, mix one cup of bleach in one-gallon water and apply the mixture on the non-porous surfaces. You can either spray the solution from a bottle or use a bucket and a cloth or sponge.
Black Mold Removal: Does Bleach Kill Black Mold?
Bleach, when used in right ratios and areas, can kill and eliminate mold of all types including the black ones. For cleaning black mold, bleach is an inexpensive and readily available technique. But using this chemical mixture on the porous surfaces like tile grout, wood, and cement block might not yield result because of its inability to reach the root of the mold.
Does Bleach Kill Mold on Wood?
You can kill mold on the wood by using bleach temporarily. The issue is that mold grows and gets deeply rooted in non-porous objects like wood. Application of bleach on the wood surface will clean the mold for the time being. But the chemical can’t penetrate deeply to reach the roots and eliminate the mold family.
Does Bleach Kill Mold on Concrete?
Concrete is a non-porous surface. If mold grows on concrete, you can use bleach with confidence to eliminate and clear out the nasty mold from your lovely place.
Does Bleach Kill Mold Spores?
The hardest part of mold is not only the damage of structure and beauty but also the health hazards. Molds emit spores in the surrounding environment and make the overall atmosphere unhealthy by causing allergies and many breathing complexities. You can destroy the spores by using bleach. But before application, you must be aware of the surface and the intensity of growth of the mold colony.
Editor’s Tips
How long does it Take Bleach to Kill Mold?
Time required to kill and eliminate mold will depend on some factors including the level of growth. Generally, you can kill mold with a single application of water and bleach mixture. It usually takes 30 minutes after the application to kill the unwanted mold. Based on the intensity of the problem, you may need to apply the mixture for several times.
Bonus Tips
How long do Bleach Fumes Last?
Bleach contains chemical agents like chlorine and sodium hydroxide. For this reason, bleach is by born toxic and dangerous element if not used with proper caution. Ingredients used for formation of bleach can fill your sweet place with fumes and harsh residues. The bad smell coming from bleach may last for days after its application. It has some serious health impacts. Bleach can cause nausea, fatigue, headaches, and burning of nose, throat and eyes.
Expert Opinion
Is Bleach or Vinegar Better to Kill Mold?
When comparing the effectiveness between bleach and vinegar in killing mold, the later will get higher points. Vinegar can penetrate the porous materials and affect the roots of the mold to destroy permanently with the total colony. Whereas, bleach is only effective on the surface of the affected item. Vinegar performs equally well in both porous and non-porous surfaces.
Secrets!
How much bleach to kill mold? (Bleach to Water Ratio for Mold)
Experts suggest that for getting better result you should mix 1 part bleach to 3 parts water to make the solution. If needed, you can spurt a little dishwashing liquid with the mixture. However, before application of bleach, you should wear the protective gears like hand gloves, goggles, and mask. Open the window so that the bleach gas can get out. Keep the kids and little ones away from the application area.
Final Words
Using bleach for killing mold is an old and widely accepted technique. But because bleach carries toxic chemical agents inherently, the user can fall into its prey with various health complications. However, you can deploy bleach on hard and impermeable objects. You better abhor using it on porous surfaces.