You should never use straight bleach to kill mold. It is largely ineffective, releases toxic fumes, and can cause mold to grow deeper into porous materials.
Bleach Doesn't Kill Mold
Bleach may lighten the appearance of mold, but it doesn't eliminate the organism. It removes the color—not the root structure, allowing mold to survive and return quickly, often more aggressively than before.
Borax is effective for cleaning many common types of surface mold, especially in damp areas like bathrooms or kitchens. However, for more aggressive types like black mold or mold growing in porous materials, borax alone isn't enough. In such cases, the mold may return if the underlying moisture problem isn't addressed.
For a natural solution to getting rid of black mold, combine one part baking soda with five parts distilled white vinegar and five parts water in a spray bottle. Alternatively, you can use a chemical-based mold and mildew remover, all-purpose cleaners, bleach or dish soap.
The contact time for Clorox™ Disinfecting Bleach to kill mold on hard, nonporous surfaces is 10 minutes. It's important to let the bleach solution sit during this time before scrubbing or rinsing. For best results, always follow up by drying the area thoroughly to prevent mold from returning.
Vinegar is better at killing mold because it can work on both porous and nonporous surfaces. It also terminates molds at their roots so the mold won't return and is also safer than bleach. You can even combine it with baking soda to make it more effective.
To effectively kill mould at its roots, invest in a specialised mould remover. Our GLASSGUARD™ Miracle Mould Removal Gel is a fantastic choice as it penetrates surfaces deeply to kill mould at the root and restore stained surfaces with no scrubbing required (and no harsh chemicals in sight).
Black mold is a fungus that may cause your immune system to react. Common symptoms include sneezing, coughing, congestion and eye irritation. It rarely causes serious illness or death but may worsen asthma symptoms.
Four Ways to Kill Black Mould
Recognizing the warning signs of mold toxicity is crucial for early intervention and prevention of potential long-term health problems.
Bleach can contribute to further mold growth
The water travels down to the root of the mold and helps it thrive. This is why mold problems often become worse a few days after bleach is applied. Applying bleach on mold may even cause mold to grow in surrounding areas that were previously unaffected.
Vinegar typically performs best on mold when it is used undiluted in full strength. Simply transfer the white vinegar into a spray bottle. Spray the vinegar directly onto the mold.
Scrub the affected area with a solution of water and detergent or a mixture of vinegar and water. For stubborn black mold, consider using a commercial mold remover specifically designed for black mold. After cleaning, ensure the area is completely dry and well-ventilated to prevent mold regrowth.
We use antifungal and antimicrobial treatments to treat mold colonies. When necessary to remediate heavy mold growth, our mold removal process includes the removal and disposal of mold-infested porous materials such as carpeting, drywall, and insulation.
Spraying bleach on mold doesn't kill the mold; it simply discolors it and leaves spores behind. Not to mention, removing mold with a solution of bleach and water can allow mold to regrow even faster.
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.
The Short Answer: Mold exposure can trigger symptoms in as little as a few hours for people with mold allergies or compromised immune systems. For others, long-term mold exposure over weeks or months can gradually cause respiratory problems, chronic fatigue, and other serious health issues.
Allergic reactions to mold are common. They can be immediate or delayed. Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold. In addition, mold exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic people.
Inhaling mold can cause coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, nasal congestion and sore throat, as well as worsening asthma and COPD symptoms that can cause a flare-up.
Bleach doesn't kill the mold, it just makes it transparent. If you buy some drug store hydrogen peroxide and mix it with Dawn dish soap (1 part soap to 3 parts peroxide), spray that on the mold and let it sit for 10 minutes, that will kill any mold it comes into contact with.
It appears to be very rare for black mold to cause severe illness or be fatal. But if you have a weakened immune system or lung disease, being around mold could lead to a serious lung infection called mycosis. The signs can include: Coughing (you may cough up blood)
Dealing with damp and mould? The German practice of Lüften could be the simple, no-cost trick you need. Lüften, which means 'airing out', is about opening your windows and doors for short bursts to let in fresh air and push out stale, damp air.
How can I address mold exposure?
Health effects of mould exposure include a runny or blocked nose, irritation of the eyes and skin, and sometimes wheezing. For people with asthma, inhaling mould spores may cause an asthma attack. Very rarely, people may develop a severe mould infection, usually in the lungs.
The Top 10 Signs of Mold Toxicity