What would you use to clean mold?

12/13/2017 (Permalink)

Mold growing on porous drywall

If I asked you, “What would you use to clean mold?”  What would your answer be?  If you are like most people, bleach would be your first choice.  That is understandable; at one time this was the recommendation of the EPA in their publication A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home.   However, the last printing of this guide states: “The use of a biocide, such as chlorine bleach, is not recommended as a routine practice during mold remediation” Despite that change, the belief that bleach is still the “go to” for many attempting to remove mold has not changed.

Part of the problem is, bleach containers list that they are effective against mold when used as directed.  However the directions state: 

For use on hard, nonporous, pre-cleaned surfaces

Remediation of mold requires cleaners that can reach deep down into wood and other porous building materials to get to the roots of the mold. The properties of bleach prevent its active ingredient from soaking into these materials, so the roots remain. In addition household bleach is 99% water, so you may be giving mold the moisture it needs to survive.  The spores that remain may root stronger and deeper and many times will return worse than before.

As water and mold damage specialists SERVPRO of Leavenworth & NW Wyandotte County has the experience, the expertise, and the advanced training that enables us to get your property restored quickly and thoroughly.

For more information visit:

http://www.SERVPROleavenworthnwwyandottecounty.com/mold-remediation

View the publication A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home here:

http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldguide.html 

If you have any questions about mold give us a call today! 913-772-1818