Many homeowners mistakenly believe that spray bleach can cure mould in their home, but this is not the case.
Bleach can only kill surface mould, but it cannot destroy its roots that grow into porous materials like wood and plasterboard. Therefore, even after you clean away any visible mould growth, it will likely return within a few days or weeks.
Spray bleach will not cure green or black mould and will make the problem worse, not better.
Mould is an unpleasant fungus that often gives off a musty odour and can do extensive damage to your home by eating away at building materials. Not only that, but its presence also leaves behind unsightly discolorations throughout your property.
Contrary to popular belief, spray bleach will not permanently eliminate mould or damp in your home; rather, it only masks the problem for a short time and then returns again.
For our American readers, we are talking about MOLD, but we spell words correctly over here, so we are discussing MOULD. (!) Same thing.
Bleach is a water-based chemical, meaning that it can actually promote the growth of mould. After use, chlorine evaporates leaving behind plenty of water – just what mould loves!
Water can encourage internal spores to grow deeper, stronger and more resistant. Even if the surface appears clean, these spores will root deep into walls – and it won’t take long for them to come back!
That is why it is essential to eliminate all moisture sources and address the cause of your damp before treating with bleach.
Bleach does not kill the mould
Spraying bleach to kill damp or mould in the home is not recommended. It is a harsh chemical, emitting hazardous fumes and toxic gases into your home environment.
Additionally, it is unable to penetrate porous materials like wood and plasterboard, meaning it cannot eliminate mould that has developed deep within these substances.
Furthermore, bleach evaporates rapidly after use, leaving behind a lot of water which makes the porous surface wetter and more conducive for mould growth.
Due to this, it is more likely that the hazardous mould spores present on the surface will return and release even more into the air inside your home.
Furthermore, it’s impossible to completely eradicate moisture which caused mould growth in the first place, so addressing the root cause rather than just treating symptoms is always more effective than treating only symptoms.
Spray bleach may not effectively remove mould in the home because it often only removes the visible layer of the mould and not the root.
The bleach may also not penetrate porous surfaces in the home, so the mould spores can continue to grow beneath the surface.
To effectively get rid of mould on walls, one can try the following actions or products:
- Use a mould-killing solution: There are various mould-killing solutions available in the market such as borax, vinegar, ammonia, and hydrogen peroxide. These solutions can penetrate porous surfaces and kill the mould spores at the root. It’s important to follow the instructions carefully and wear gloves and a mask while working with these solutions.
- Scrub the area: Once the mould-killing solution is applied, use a firm brush to scrub the mould off the surface. This will help remove the mould residue and prevent it from growing back.
- Increase ventilation: Moulds thrive in humid and damp environments, so increasing ventilation can be useful in preventing or getting rid of mould. Install an exhaust fan in the bathroom and kitchen, keep windows open or use a dehumidifier to keep the air dry.
- Hire a professional: If the mould infestation is widespread, it may be necessary to seek professional help from a mould remediation expert. They have the appropriate equipment and expertise to identify and remove the mould completely, making the home safe and free of mould spores.
In summary, spray bleach may not be the best option for removing mould in the home, while mould-killing solutions, scrubbing, increasing ventilation, and seeking professional help are more effective ways to get rid of mould on walls they will never completely remove it.
Opening your windows will NOT cure damp or mould, in fact doing so, especially if there is a breeze coming into the home will make the issue WORSE. This is because any toxic mould spores will then circulate in your home due to the breeze and then propagate in another area.
It’s essential to prioritize preventing mould growth in the first place by addressing any water leakage or dampness conditions to protect one’s health and safety.
Spray bleach does not kill the toxic mould spores
Mould is a prevalent issue that can have serious repercussions for the residents of a home. It produces spores which float around in the air and can irritate your respiratory system as well as trigger allergies.
It can also eat away at your building materials, leading to structural problems.
It is essential that you address the issue promptly and take proactive measures to reduce its likelihood of returning.
Spray bleach can be used to eliminate visible mould from walls and floors, but it won’t remove the underlying roots that cause mould regrowth and is a waste of time and money.
Another solution is using hydrogen peroxide solution. While it works more slowly than chlorine bleach, it’s less harsh. You can use a concentrated solution of between 3%-10% fresh hydrogen peroxide that doesn’t need to be diluted.
Spray bleach does not kill the bacteria
Mould is a fungus that thrives on damp surfaces, such as bathrooms, kitchens and basements where water or condensation can breed spores.
Mould spores can be found in most homes and can spread rapidly if left untreated. This may manifest as black, green, brown, purple or orange growths on walls and ceilings, none of which are a good sign.
Spray bleach can mask visible mould for a short time, but it cannot eliminate the bacteria responsible for its growth.
It means the roots of bacteria, often hidden beneath the surface of these porous materials, continue to spread and cause problems to return. Therefore, you need to identify and eliminate the source of the issue in order to prevent damp or mould growth in the future.
Does bleach kill mould?
No.
To put it bluntly, damp and mould cannot be cured from inside the home.
You can remove the top layer of mould with a specific spray mould and mildew cleaner, available from most DIY shops and some supermarkets, but again it will NOT cure the issue, it will only remove the top bit of the mould.
If we HAD TO use a product like that in our home it would be Astonish, above, which is kosher and vegan friendly, not that I personally give a toss about that but some people do.
How to actually kill mould and prevent it from ever returning.
The only way to permanently cure the problem of damp and mould is to treat the cause of the problem.
Sorry but if your house has mould there is NO cheap or quick fix to the issue, you are going to have to dip in your pocket to sort this problem out. Your health depends on it.
The root cause of damp is usually poorly maintained, or damaged, exterior walls.
Simply painting the walls will NOT cure damp.
The only way is to find the source of the issue, often cracks in outside walls, and/or hollow areas of pebbledash or render, missing brick mortar joints, and then fix the problem.
An exterior wall coating company will do this for you, along with applying, by spray, a high performance exterior wall coating which not only fixes the problem of damp coming into the home, it can leave it looking fabulous from the outside.
It also makes the exterior of your house maintenance free.
No more repairs or painting for at least 2 decades, and that comes with a guarantee also.
It is suitable for all house types, and can be applied all year round, anywhere in England or Wales, by our expert teams. It does not fade, crack, chip or peel, and is a weatherproof replacement for paint.
If this is of interest to you, give us a call for an informal chat, on 0800 970 4928 or send us an email.