Does Clorox Bleach Kill Mold?

5/29/2019 (Permalink)

Here are the facts about the common brand of bleach:

• Clorox is more useful for killing bacteria and viruses than for killing molds, parasites, and spores. It kills the kinds of microorganisms found in sewer water, but it is not as lethal to any kind of microbe that travels through air.
• Clorox doesn't kill mold effectively at temperatures below 52 degrees F. Some species of mold, however, continue to grow even when the temperature is slightly below freezing.
• By the time you have black, inky blobs of mold, it's too late for Clorox. The active chemical in bleach does not break up the biofilm that glues mold into patches.
• Mixing Clorox with contaminated water greatly reduces its effectiveness for disinfecting walls, floors, and household surfaces. Any kind of formerly living matter in water can bind to Clorox so it can't disinfect anything else. It's important to mix Clorox with clean water.
• Clorox is more effective for disinfecting indoor surfaces than for disinfecting outdoor surfaces. Sunlight breaks down the active chemical that kills bacteria, viruses, and mold.

Clorox is great first aid for water damage. It's just not enough to bring your house back to its original condition. For that, you need the help of water restoration professionals like SERVPRO of West Chester.