“Bleach doesn’t kill mold, it just annoys it,” according to one mold remediation contractor we know. Actually, chlorine bleach can kill mold on a non-porous surface like glass or metal; but, because it is a plant-like growth with a root system that embeds in porous materials like drywall and only the moisture in the bleach reaches into the material, bleach just kills the top part. Most mold problems occur on porous surfaces, and this is why it will stubbornly reappear on a many surfaces treated with bleach after a few weeks.

    Also, bleach is corrosive. Whey sprayed on wood roof trusses to kill a mold growth, any bleach that gets on the metal gusset plates that connect the truss members will destroy the galvanization and accelerate corrosion of the plates. 

    But there are a number of alternatives such as borax, ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, and multiple proprietary chemicals to choose from, plus numerous websites online with instructions for applying each of them.

    Also see our blog post Is mold contagious? Can mold spread to my home if there is a nearby house with mold?

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Here’s links to a collection of our other blog posts about MOLD, LEAD AND OTHER CONTAMINANTS:

• Should I buy a house with mold?  

• Why do new homes have more moisture and mold problems than older houses?

• Can infrared thermal imaging find mold behind a wall? 

• What is the right humidity level in a mobile home?

• Who can clean up mold found during a home inspection in Florida?

• How do I look for and find mold in my mobile home? 

• Why is there mold around the air conditioning vents? 

• What can I do to prevent mold problems in my home?

• Why is there a lead paint disclaimer in my real estate sales contract? 

• How can I tell if there is asbestos in a house?

• How can I prevent mold in my Florida winter home when I'm gone for the summer? 

• Should I use bleach to clean up mold? 

• What are those powdery white areas on my brick walls?

• What should I do if mold is found during a home inspection?

   Visit our MOLD, LEAD AND OTHER CONTAMINATES page for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles.