Beyond Bleach: Why it's Ineffective for Removing Mold

5/17/2023 (Permalink)

Mold growth can be a major problem for homeowners and businesses alike. When mold growth occurs, many people instinctively reach for bleach as a solution to remove the mold. While bleach may seem like a quick and easy fix, it's important to understand that bleach is not an effective method for cleaning or removing mold. In fact, using bleach to clean mold can actually make the problem worse. Here's why:

Bleach can't penetrate porous surfaces

Mold can grow on a variety of surfaces, including drywall, wood, and carpeting. However, many of these surfaces are porous, which means that mold can penetrate deep into the surface. Bleach is only effective at killing surface mold, which means that it can't penetrate deep into porous surfaces to kill the mold at its source. This means that even if you use bleach to clean the surface mold, the underlying mold growth will still be present and will continue to spread.

Bleach can actually feed mold growth

Another reason why bleach is not an effective method for cleaning or removing mold is that it can actually feed mold growth. Bleach is primarily made up of water, and when you apply bleach to a mold-infested area, the water can seep into porous surfaces and provide the moisture that mold needs to grow. This means that by using bleach, you may actually be making the problem worse by providing a favorable environment for mold growth.

Bleach is harmful to certain surfaces

Bleach is a harsh chemical that can cause damage to certain surfaces. For example, bleach can cause discoloration or damage to fabrics, upholstery, and carpets. Additionally, bleach can cause corrosion on metal surfaces, and can even cause damage to certain types of flooring. This means that using bleach to clean or remove mold can potentially cause damage to your property.

There are safer, more effective methods for mold remediation

Fortunately, there are safer, more effective methods for mold remediation than using bleach. Professional mold remediation companies like SERVPRO of South & West Charleston use specialized equipment and techniques to safely and effectively remove mold growth. These methods may include using air scrubbers to remove airborne mold spores, applying specialized antimicrobial treatments to kill mold at its source, and removing and replacing mold-infested materials.

In addition to using these specialized methods, professional mold remediation companies can also help identify and address the underlying causes of mold growth. This may include identifying and repairing sources of moisture, such as leaky pipes or damaged roofs, to prevent mold growth from recurring in the future.

While bleach may seem like a quick and easy solution for cleaning and removing mold, it's important to understand that bleach is not an effective method for mold remediation. Bleach can't penetrate deep into porous surfaces, can actually feed mold growth, and can be harmful to certain surfaces. Instead, it's best to leave mold remediation to the professionals, who have the specialized equipment and techniques to safely and effectively remove mold growth and prevent it from recurring in the future. By taking these steps, you can ensure that your home or business is safe and healthy for everyone who enters it.