The Myth of Bleach vs Mold

When faced with the discovery of mold, many homeowners use bleach because it easily removes the dark stains and appears to remove the mold. However, bleach is not an EPA-approved biocide and it is not  a recommended solution when removing mold or eliminating mold odors.

Pouring bleach solution is not enough, even if it kills the surface layer of mold. It does not matter if the mold itself is dead or alive. It is the body of mold is still a health issue. Dead mold is still allergenic and potentially toxic. Not only must the mold be killed, but any contaminated material must be cleaned up and removed to fully solve the problem.

That’s why professionals provide a mold removal and not a mold killing service.

Bleach can be dangerous

Mixing household products together to create a cleaning solution can be dangerous. If bleach is mixed with other chemicals, it can produce explosive gasses. Also, the use of bleach can also cause discoloration if it gets onto paint, fabrics or wood.

Bleach doesn’t go far enough

A bleach solution is certainly capable of cleaning hard, non-porous surfaces. That is why is often used to remove mildew in shower stalls and tubs. However, this will not work on a porous surface like wood or sheetrock.

Mold grows roots into drywall and wood structures. Because bleach only cleans the surface, the roots remain and will grow back again. When removing mold from wood structures the wood surface must either be sanded down or wire-brushed to remove all traces of the root system. Applying bleach to wood will just push spores deeper into the wood fibers.

Once mold is discovered, action should be taken immediately to contain and remove it. Bleach may seem to help, and it will, for a short time, appear to solve the problem. However, you can count on the fact the mold will eventually grow back – and stronger than ever.

H&H Environmental performs air quality testing and mold removal services for homes and businesses in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. All our mold remediation products are environmentally friendly! Call 845-200-3788 today for a free consultation.