Does Bleach Kill Mould?

• Can bleach kill mould?
• The dangers of using bleach
• Why you should not try to clean mould yourself
• How to prevent mould growing in your property
• Get in touch today

Although lots of people recommend chemicals like bleach and vinegar for removing mould, these DIY solutions are not always that effective or safe. Instead, you should bring in professional cleaners who can quickly remediate all the mould spores on the surfaces and in the air.

Here at ICE Cleaning, we offer fast and thorough mould remediation services. Our technicians are accredited by Dewpoint Professional and can also advise on how to stop the mould returning in your property. They are available nationwide, 365 days a year including bank holidays.

Read on to find out why bleach is not the ideal solution to your mould problem, and what you should consider instead.

Can bleach kill mould?

Bleach is an anti-fungal chemical which means it can kill fungi, like mould. However, its effectiveness is disputed.

According to studies, only bleach with at least a 10% concentration of sodium hypochlorite can kill mould. Most off-the-shelf bleach products only contain a 3-9% concentration and therefore will not kill all the mould you treat.

Another problem is that bleach – along with other cleaning products that promise to eliminate it – cannot kill mould that is growing in porous surfaces, like fabric and wood. It will continue to grow deep beneath the surface, and could return quickly after you have cleaned it.

Some even claim bleach cannot kill mould at all; they think it just bleaches the mould. The unsightly stains might disappear briefly, but they will come back soon after.

Professional cleaners, like our technicians, have the specialist cleaning products and equipment to tackle all the mould, including the difficult to reach spores in porous surfaces.

The dangers of using bleach

Household bleach can be corrosive and irritate or burn the eyes, mouth, lungs, and skin. Should you accidentally mix it with another chemical, like ammonia, it could produce toxic gas, such as chlorine gas.

Chlorine gas is very harmful to be exposed to and can cause chest paint, breathing problems, pneumonia, and reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS).

When cleaning with bleach you should wear personal protective equipment (PPE), like gloves and goggles, and must ventilate the area to stop the vapours building up. You can find out more about the dangers of bleach here.

Mould remediation specialists will have the PPE and training to safely clean your property, and properly handle and use chemicals.

Why you should not try to clean mould yourself

Mould remediation can be very hazardous if not done properly. Firstly, mould is harmful to be exposed to. It releases allergens, irritants, and occasionally toxins which can trigger allergic reactions like a stuffy nose, skin rash, and coughing.

Certain groups are more vulnerable to the effects of mould exposure like elderly people, young children and infants, and people with pre-existing health problems.

When you clean mould, you are in much closer contact with it and are more likely to inhale, touch, or ingest the spores. Should you scrub it with bleach, for example, you could release spores up into the air and breathe them in.

It is likely you will only remove the surface spores from a patch of mould so it should quickly return after treatment.

Instead of putting your health at risk, bring in professional cleaners with PPE to safely remove the mould for you.

How to prevent mould growing in your property

Although it is not recommended that you clean mould yourself, there are lots of things you can do to stop it growing in the future.

• Have any leaks in your roof, walls, and plumbing repaired as soon as possible
• Bring in professional cleaners to dry and disinfect your property immediately after a flood
• Replace carpets and furniture that has been soaked and cannot dry quickly – mould can start growing within 24-48 hours
• Keep humidity levels in your property below 50%
• Make sure your bathroom and kitchen are well ventilated after showering or cooking to ensure humidity and steam does not build up
• Don’t dry clothes indoors as the moist air can build up and settle in your home

Get in touch today

Our fully qualified technicians are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and can be on site in a matter of hours in an emergency. Every mould removal service comes with a 24-month* guarantee so you can be sure your property will stay mould-free.

Contact our friendly team to book our technicians for mould remediation on 0208 066 0360 or enquiries@icecleaning.co.uk.

*subject to advisories