Trying to figure out what to do to kill mold is a pain! Do you call someone? Can you do it yourself? Will the products you already have do the trick, or will they do nothing? What about Clorox wipes or sprays? Can they work? There are a few answers on the internet already, but unfortunately, no one with any actual experience cleaning mold has addressed the Clorox question! So we thought we’d fix that.
We’re Cleaner Guys, a real professional mold removal company with more than 20 years of experience. Today, we’re going to break down whether or not Clorox works on mold — from the perspective of a certified professional.
Table of Contents
- Can Clorox Kill Mold?
- What Kills Mold 100%?
- What About Bleach and Vinegar?
- Mold vs. Mildew
- Who Do I Call for Mold Removal?
Can Clorox Kill Mold?
Clorox can kill mold effectively on hard, non-porous surfaces, like tile and plastic, but it is not effective at cleaning mold off of porous materials, such as drywall, wood, and textiles. This is because mold is a fungus that spreads and grows by absorbing any material it can consume. It can consume drywall, wood, and textiles. It can’t consume harder materials like plastic and tile.
That means that when mold grows on porous materials like drywall and wood, it absorbs and roots deep into them. Only very strong chemical solutions particularly designed for mold killing have a chance at killing all of it, down to the root. And sometimes even that doesn’t work. So what does?
What Kills Mold 100%?
The number one best way to kill mold 100% is to remove and throw away all infested materials. This requires the expertise of a professional mold removal company to be done safely and effectively. Some fungicides can kill mold very effectively on drywall and wood without removing them, but there’s always a slight chance that some mold spores may escape the fungicide and continue to spread.
The fungicide that we recommend, which we use in our professional work, is called Fiberlock Shockwave. We are not affiliated with or sponsored by Fiberlock in any way, we simply like and recommend their product. You can find this fungicide and others at most hardware stores. However, using even a fungicide on mold by yourself may not get rid of all of it if the mold covers more than about 1 square foot. The mold has probably rooted too deeply at that point for a fungicide to get it all. If your mold covers more than 1 square foot, you should call a professional mold removal company.
What About Bleach and Vinegar?
While many unprofessional publications like home decor magazines and hardware store websites say that bleach and vinegar can kill mold, our professional opinion as mold remediators is different.
Like Clorox wipes and sprays, vinegar can effectively kill some mold, but only on hard, non-porous surfaces, or on very small patches of mold on drywall. It is not effective on large areas of mold growth on drywall, wood, or textiles. It is often recommended elsewhere on the internet because the vinegar appears to have killed the mold — but it only kills the mold on the surface. Learn the specific circumstances where you can use vinegar on mold here.
We strongly recommend against the use of bleach on mold. It is so caustic it irreversibly damages almost all surfaces it comes in contact with, and it requires PPE (Personal Protective Equipment, like gloves and masks) to work with safely. But more important even than that, household bleach also does not penetrate deeply enough to 100% kill mold on drywall and wood. Read more reasons why we never recommend bleach on mold here.
Mold vs. Mildew
Clorox can work on mold growing on tile and plastic, like showers, because the mold on such non-porous surfaces is usually mildew. Mildew is a type of mold that does not root deeply, but grows with shallow roots on the surface of whatever it is on. Since it grows only on the surface, and doesn’t root deeply, it can simply be wiped off!
But how do you prevent mold and mildew from returning in showers and bathrooms? Read here to find out.
Who Do I Call for Mold Removal?
You call a professional mold removal company like Cleaner Guys for mold removal. You’ve learned that Clorox works only for mold and mildew growing on tile, plastic, and hard non-porous surfaces. You’ve also learned that when it comes to large amounts of mold growing on drywall or wood, often the only 100% effective solution to get rid of it is to have it professionally removed.
We’ve put together some resources to help you find and call a mold removal company, if this is what you end up needing.
If you need a professional mold removal company, but aren’t sure how to choose the right one, read this article.
If you have mold in an apartment, and don’t know whether the landlord has to deal with it or you do, read this article.
Wondering what to expect from people showing up at your home to inspect and remove the mold? Read this article about what to expect from the professional mold removal process, step by step.
If you find yourself in the unfortunate position of needing a professional mold removal company in Western Washington State, consider Cleaner Guys as a high-quality, well-trusted option. We’re proud to boast award-winning customer service, lower prices than others, and top-notch workmanship! Contact us through the menu at the top of the page now.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. No part of this article is medical or legal advice, and may not be used as such. For all serious medical matters, consult your doctor. For all serious legal matters, consult your legal advisor. This article contains Cleaner Guys’ experience and opinions only.
