How to Kill Mold With a Bleach and Water Solution
Bleach is a common household product that is commonly used to kill mold. It is important to note that bleach is only effective at killing mold on non-porous surfaces such as tile, glass, countertops and floors. Porous surfaces with mold, such as wood and drywall, do not respond to bleach because the bleach is unable to soak into these materials to kill the mold beneath the surface. A bleach and water solution will disinfect moldy surfaces and kill the mold. Furthermore, cleaning with a bleach and water solution regularly can also help to prevent mold from growing in the first place. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Rubber gloves
- Scrub brush
- Hot, soapy water
- Chlorine bleach
- Hot water
- Rags
- Spray bottle
- Oxygen bleach
- Wet vacuum
Instructions
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Open windows and turn on exhaust fans in and near the area where you are working. This will reduce your exposure to the chemicals in the bleach, as well as mold spores. Wear rubber gloves to protect your skin from the irritation of the bleach.
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Scrub the surface with a scrub brush and hot, soapy water. This will remove the mold from the surface.
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Disinfect the surface with the bleach-and-water mixture. Combine one-quarter cup of chlorine bleach into a bucket with one gallon of hot water.
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Apply the bleach solution to the molded surface. You can use a rag dipped in the bleach mixture, or transfer the bleach solution to an empty spray bottle. Allow the bleach solution to sit on the surface for 15 minutes.
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Rinse the surface with a clean rag and water. Quickly dry the surface with a clean towel.
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Mix four ounces of oxygen bleach into a bucket with one gallon of hot water for another bleach-and-water mixture. Oxygen bleach is a color-safe bleach that is less toxic than chlorine bleach. Apply the oxygen bleach solution to the surface and scrub with a scrub brush. Allow the solution to sit on the surface for 30 minutes, then rinse with clean water. You can also use the oxygen bleach solution to remove mold from carpeting. Leave the solution on the carpet for 10 minutes, then use a wet vacuum to extract the water.
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Tips & Warnings
Test the bleach solution you are using on a small, inconspicuous area of the surface prior to use, to ensure the bleach does not damage or discolor the material.
