The main reason why your house or property has mold is because of moisture. While mold occurs naturally, any mold above 10 square feet can lead to severe problems. In that case, it is best to call in professionals to remove it. However, for smaller mold cleanup tasks, you can complete these yourself. In this article, we provide a simplified guide on how to kill mold in a house.
How to Kill Mold in A House?
The first step in getting rid of mold in a house is to get rid of moisture. Once you have fixed the cause of moisture and dried the area completely, you can use several household products effective in killing and removing mold. Let’s have a look at the most common options:
Using Bleach to Kill Mold
One of the most commonly used household products for killing mold is bleach. The potent biocide includes sodium hypochlorite as the main active ingredient. The ingredient reacts with water to form hypochlorous acid, which kills mold by denaturing proteins. It also disrupts nucleic acids, inactivates enzymes, and destroys other cellular components. However, bleach requires direct contact, which makes it effective in killing mold on the surface of nonporous surfaces like sinks and tiles. It is not as effective on porous materials like drywall and wood that absorb moisture.
Killing Mold with Baking Soda
Another commonly used household product for killing mold is baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). This alkaline substance has a pH level of between 8 and 9, which is higher than what most mold tolerate. Just like vinegar, baking soda is a safe and natural mold killer.
Can You Kill Mold with Borax?
An alternative to baking soda for killing mold is Borax (sodium borate). Since it is stronger than baking soda, with a pH level above 9, borax can be used to kill a wider range of mold. It works by creating an unfavorable, high-alkalinity environment. The environment not only kills mold but also inhibits it from regrowing.
Will Vinegar Kill Mold
Yes, vinegar can also be used to kill mold. The mild acid kills 82% of mold species, which makes it a reliable natural and nontoxic alternative to cleaning chemicals. The contents of cleaning vinegar include 6% acetic acid, which effectively kills mold, while white vinegar has 5% acidity that works just fine. Vinegar also has the benefit of killing mold on both porous and non-porous surfaces.
Does Hydrogen Peroxide Kill Mold?
Yes, hydrogen peroxide is effective in killing mold. While primarily used to disinfect wounds, hydrogen peroxide is active in killing mold by releasing oxygen at a rapid rate. The process kills mold by oxidizing the surface and breaking down DNA and proteins. Although it can be used to kill mold on nonporous surfaces, it is less potent and less effective than bleach.
Does Lysol Spray Kill Mold?
Yes, Lysol spray is another product that can be used to kill mold in the house. The active ingredient, benzalkonium chloride, contains antifungal properties that effectively kill mold and mildew on hard, non-porous surfaces.
Does Alcohol Kill Mold?
Alcohol also kills various microbes, like mold, by dissolving lipids and denaturing proteins. However, it is not as effective compared to other household substances on this list, such as vinegar and bleach. However, it is still commonly used to remove minor mold stains on books, fabrics, furniture, and leather. If you are dealing with mold on a non-porous surface, vinegar and bleach are far more effective.
Does Ammonia Kill Mold
Yes, ammonia is highly effective at killing mold. The pH levels of ammonia are between 11 and 13, which is a strong alkaline that most mold cannot tolerate. This is the main reason many commercial cleaning products contain ammonia. It is even stronger than vinegar and has the same potency as bleach. However, avoid mixing ammonia and bleach as the two react to produce toxic fumes.
When to Call in a Professional
While household products in this list are effective in killing mold, especially on non-porous surfaces, certain levels of mold will require a professional. If you are dealing with mold on porous surfaces or mold of more than 10 square feet, it is time to call in a professional. Get in touch with us today at Mold Inspection Canary. Our experts will inspect your home for mold, implement the best solutions, and provide recommendations to prevent regrowth.
