Does Bleach Eliminate Mold?

4/12/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO can recommend more effective fungicides to cleanup mold.

A building owner or manager may want to know whether bleaching mold is an affordable and effective alternative to professional cleanup. Chlorine- and oxygen-based cleaning solutions are not the most effective treatments for eliminating mold and preventing regrowth. Find out why bleach is not the best option for fungus cleanup.

Unsuitable For Porous Materials

Bleach can be useful for sanitizing surfaces or whitening laundry, but this type of cleaning solution is less effective for eliminating the presence of fungus or mold. Mold growth may penetrate many types of porous materials:

  • Carpeting
  • Drywall
  • Textiles

Dilutions of chlorine- or oxygen-based formulas may be used for fungus cleanup on hard, non-porous surfaces. These treatments are not suitable for porous or semi-porous materials and may cause damage or discoloration.

Cannot Eliminate Hyphae

The multicellular filaments that form during mold growth often go deeper than the surface of a material. Disinfecting or sanitizing surfaces may not eliminate the presence of hyphae, or underlying root structures, and will not be effective for inhibiting future mold growth. If moisture levels remain high and food sources such as cellulose or dust are still available, mold that has been bleached may regrow on non-porous, semi-porous or porous surfaces.

May Damage Materials

A building owner or manager should consider the effects of cleaning solutions on any material supporting mold growth. Chlorine-based solutions may damage delicate materials. Oxygen-based formulas are gentler and safer, but are still not ideal for treating mold on most surfaces. Mold damage experts can recommend more effective fungicides to cleanup mold and inhibitors for prevention or will tear out and replace ruined materials.

Fungicides are more effective than bleach for stopping mold growth. Some treatments may require safety precautions. For the best fungus cleanup results and the lowest change of regrowth, building owners or managers should contact a mold damage cleanup and remediation company in Carrollton, TX.