Does Boiling Water Kill Mold?
water is boiling on the stove and will effectively used to remove mold
Mold is a common household problem that can be found in any room, from the bathroom to the kitchen. Not only is it unsightly, but it can also pose serious health risks to you and your family. While there are various products and methods available for getting rid of mold, some can be expensive and may even contain harmful chemicals. However, one simple and affordable solution that you may not have considered is using boiling water to kill mold. In this blog, we will discuss the effectiveness of using boiling water as a mold-killing agent and how to use this method effectively.
Why does mold grow in our homes?
Mold, a type of fungus, thrives in moist environments, proliferating both indoors and outdoors. Its appearance can vary, manifesting itself as black or green fuzzy patches or even as fine, thread-like structures. Commonly, it finds its way onto walls, windowsills, and in bathrooms, particularly in areas of high humidity. Furniture, cabinets, and carpets can also become breeding grounds for mold. While some mold is merely unsightly, other types can trigger respiratory problems, including coughing and sneezing, or even cause skin irritation. However, mold can be effectively eliminated through heat exposure, leaving your home unaffected.
How long does it take to kill mold with boiling water?
Boiling water is an instant killer of mold. However, items like carpets can’t be boiled. To eliminate mold, heating the area and allowing it to dry can be effective. Mold typically dies at temperatures between 140-160°F (60-71°C). Yet, this isn’t an instantaneous process. To thoroughly destroy all mold spores, hot dry air sterilization is required, which involves heating the affected area to 140 degrees Fahrenheit for three hours. Nevertheless, without the specialized equipment used by mold remediation professionals, this method is impractical for most individuals.
Heating your home to excessively high temperatures for extended periods can make the mold worse. This is because air retains more moisture at higher temperatures, leading to increased humidity and, consequently, more mold growth. While heat does have the ability to kill mold, it may not be the most effective method for eradicating it from your home or business. In such instances, seeking professional assistance to tackle the issue might be a better approach.
How can you safely kill mold with heat?
Although heat can effectively eliminate mold, careful application is crucial. It’s essential to apply the correct amount of heat to the affected area. Insufficient heat will fail to resolve the mold issue, while excessive heat might worsen the damage. Therefore, consulting with an expert before using heat to tackle mold in your home is advisable. Following their guidance ensures the mold is properly eradicated.
How can I kill mold spores on household objects?
Boiling water is a great way to kill mold spores. If you have a mold issue, make sure to use these steps to kill and remove mold spores:
- Wash all items with soap and water and make sure to scrub off any mold that is visible.
- Use a pot of clean water that you’ve brought to a rolling boil.
- Put the item in boiling water and leave it in for at least 15 minutes.
- Make sure to carefully remove the item from the water and let it air dry.
Please note that boiling water should only be used to kill mold on items that cannot be harmed by moisture or extreme heat, otherwise you may end up with more damage than you started with.
Alternative Method to Kill Mold:
What are the risks when using heat to kill mold?
Heat is an effective way to kill mold, however, there are some risks associated with this method. Heat creates an impenetrable shell around the structure, so the mold colonies can linger and may not be affected by the temperatures you use, which can create additional issues. It is also important to insulate or ventilate the area affected by mold so that you do not burn out the source material that you are treating. Overall, killing mold with heat is a great way to do so only if you use the proper procedures for it.
How to Prevent Mold in Your Home
Mold poses a significant challenge in both homes and businesses, negatively impacting the environment within. Fortunately, proactive steps can be taken to mitigate the risk of mold growth. Managing humidity levels and maintaining cleanliness on moisture-prone surfaces are effective preventative measures. Research indicates that heat can effectively eliminate mold; therefore, monitoring both indoor and outdoor temperatures is crucial. Utilizing dehumidifiers, exhaust fans, and other moisture-reducing appliances can also aid in moisture control. While heat treatment can destroy mold spores and prevent their return, it’s imperative to adhere to the aforementioned preventive strategies to avoid further damage.
Mold Removal Services from RestorationMaster
Are you having issues with mold at your home or business? Highly trained mold remediation technicians can remove all mold from your home or business, then clean, disinfect, and restore your property back to its original state. They are equipped to handle all types of mold issues to ensure a safe, mold free environment.
About Vince Sandri
Vince Sandri is a content writer and blogger with more than 12 years of experience. His expertise is in creating content related to disaster restoration, including information about preventing and reacting to natural disasters like flooding, water damage, fire and smoke damage, mold growth, storm damage and more.
Vince has been the main contributor to RestorationMasterFinder.com since 2014. Over that time, he has written numerous service pages and blogs for disaster restoration providers featured on RestorationMasterFinder.com. Vince has done extensive research and covered a wide range of topics relating to disaster restoration to help homeowners, business owners, and property managers better protect their property. He understands the problems that disasters like flooding, fire, smoke, and mold can cause as well as the best ways to respond to these issues to limit the damage.
Vince completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Aurora University and his master’s degree at DePaul University. He has been writing SEO website pages, blogs, and press releases since 2012. Vince is also a musician and can be seen playing in the Chicago, IL area.
