The unthinkable has happened. You've got mold.
It's bad, but all is not lost. You've got some bleach, which is sure to zap that mold out of your house and out of your life … or is it?
Bleach is commonly believed to be a mold gladiator, capable of easily and quickly dispatching all types of mold without breaking a sweat. Recent doubts have surfaced, however, and bleach's mold-killing reputation has taken a beating of its own.
Here is the truth.
In the past, certain government agencies regularly suggested using chlorine-based bleach to kill mold. Recently, however, these same agencies have started pulling their endorsements of beach as the be-all-and-end-all-of, well, ending mold.
What are the bleach companies saying? They're still standing behind bleach, but very carefully.
Clorox, for instance, claims studies supported by independent laboratories have found that their bleach product was able to kill two specific kinds of mold on hard, non-porous surfaces. No mention was made of the additional kinds of molds and if bleach had any effect on them. What does non-porous surface mean? For one thing, that doesn't cover wood, which is a porous material. Consumers might be surprised to learn that mold has roots (mycelia). On certain porous surfaces, such as wood, these roots dig down where bleach cannot reach it.
Bleach, therefore, might be useful in killing certain types of mold on kitchen and bathroom countertops, tubs, glass and other hard surfaces, but it won't do anything for wood.
If you find that any of your wooden structures have been infected with mold, it's best to call a mold removal specialist or a wood repair company. An expert will be able to use special chemical products to kill and remove the mold and to prevent it from returning.
There are also many mold and mildew products turning up on store shelves. Be very careful when purchasing these products. Many of them are diluted versions of regular laundry bleach. Read their labels carefully to see what they claim to do. Almost all of them will state that they can only be used on hard, non-porous surfaces. Some even only advertise themselves as mildew stain removers.
Hopefully, this article post puts the myth of mold-killing bleach into perspective. While bleach can be an acceptable solution in some cases, if you've got mold in any wooden structures, it's time to call in the experts.
Mudd can be reached at [email protected]
It's bad, but all is not lost. You've got some bleach, which is sure to zap that mold out of your house and out of your life … or is it?
Bleach is commonly believed to be a mold gladiator, capable of easily and quickly dispatching all types of mold without breaking a sweat. Recent doubts have surfaced, however, and bleach's mold-killing reputation has taken a beating of its own.
Here is the truth.
In the past, certain government agencies regularly suggested using chlorine-based bleach to kill mold. Recently, however, these same agencies have started pulling their endorsements of beach as the be-all-and-end-all-of, well, ending mold.
What are the bleach companies saying? They're still standing behind bleach, but very carefully.
Clorox, for instance, claims studies supported by independent laboratories have found that their bleach product was able to kill two specific kinds of mold on hard, non-porous surfaces. No mention was made of the additional kinds of molds and if bleach had any effect on them. What does non-porous surface mean? For one thing, that doesn't cover wood, which is a porous material. Consumers might be surprised to learn that mold has roots (mycelia). On certain porous surfaces, such as wood, these roots dig down where bleach cannot reach it.
Bleach, therefore, might be useful in killing certain types of mold on kitchen and bathroom countertops, tubs, glass and other hard surfaces, but it won't do anything for wood.
If you find that any of your wooden structures have been infected with mold, it's best to call a mold removal specialist or a wood repair company. An expert will be able to use special chemical products to kill and remove the mold and to prevent it from returning.
There are also many mold and mildew products turning up on store shelves. Be very careful when purchasing these products. Many of them are diluted versions of regular laundry bleach. Read their labels carefully to see what they claim to do. Almost all of them will state that they can only be used on hard, non-porous surfaces. Some even only advertise themselves as mildew stain removers.
Hopefully, this article post puts the myth of mold-killing bleach into perspective. While bleach can be an acceptable solution in some cases, if you've got mold in any wooden structures, it's time to call in the experts.
Mudd can be reached at [email protected]