Does Hydrogen Peroxide Kill Mold?
Hydrogen peroxide offers a natural and effective solution for removing mold from non-porous surfaces. Widely available in most households, it’s an excellent option for tackling small mold outbreaks. However, for larger, more widespread infestations, it’s best to consult professional mold remediation experts to ensure thorough and safe removal.
Does Hydrogen Peroxide Kill Mold?
Containing an abundance of antimicrobial properties, hydrogen peroxide is a safe and effective solution for killing various pathogens, like bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Mold, being one of many types of fungi, is also readily eliminated by applications of hydrogen peroxide.
Hydrogen peroxide, when combined with baking soda, is useful for killing black mold. Ideally, a 3% or 10% hydrogen peroxide concentration should be used. Homeowners can witness the hydrogen peroxide’s effectiveness when it fizzes upon contact with the black mold spores.
When Should You Use Hydrogen Peroxide for Mold Removal?
Homeowners should use hydrogen peroxide for mold removal when the infestation occurs on non-porous surfaces, like tabletops and counters. It can also be used on most synthetic fabrics. However, the hydrogen peroxide can potentially bleach the fabrics if not cleaned off.
Hydrogen peroxide should not be used on porous surfaces, such as carpeting, upholstery, or bathroom rugs. The solution fails to inhibit mold growth on other porous surfaces, like wood, ceiling tiles, and fabrics, too. When mold growth occurs in these areas, the moldy items must be replaced.
How to Safely Use Hydrogen Peroxide to Kill Mold
Safety is paramount when cleaning mold. Wear protective gear, such as a face mask, goggles, and disposable gloves, to prevent coming in contact with the mold spores. Since hydrogen peroxide does not emit toxic fumes, it’s a safer cleaning solution than bleach.
Get 3% hydrogen peroxide from the local pharmacy. Pour the solution into a spray bottle, then spritz the moldy areas. Allow the hydrogen peroxide to fizz for 10 minutes. Once it stops bubbling, use a rag or brush to gently scrub away the mold. Wipe dry and repeat as needed.
What are Natural Remedies to Kill Mold?
If hydrogen peroxide isn’t readily available, homeowners may have other products on hand to kill the mold colonies. Natural remedies include vinegar, tea tree oil, baking soda, and grapefruit seed extract. Detergent and warm water can also be applied to mold on non-porous surfaces and scrubbed off.
Tea tree oil is a more expensive option; but as an anti-fungal, it kills all types of molds. Grapefruit seed extract can be purchased from health food stores; the citric acid attacks the spores without leaving behind odors. Baking soda is typically used with vinegar to remove mold.
Vinegar vs. Hydrogen Peroxide for Mold Removal
While some homeowners may prefer either vinegar or hydrogen peroxide to clean mold, it is strongly advised to never mix the two together. Combining these two solutions creates peracetic acid, a toxic mix that irritates the throat, lungs, eyes, and skin.
Vinegar can be used on about 80% of mold species but doesn’t kill all types of molds. This household staple doesn’t need to be diluted with water to be effective. However, it can cause etching or damage to certain household surfaces, such as natural stone, cast iron, and aluminum.
Hydrogen peroxide may be preferred because it is a safer alternative to bleach. It does not damage the environment or produce fumes. Furthermore, hydrogen peroxide does not leave behind toxic residues. It can be used on a variety of surfaces, like kitchen appliances and bathroom fixtures.
When to Call Professionals for Mold Removal and Remediation
When mold infestations are minor, homeowners can safely perform a DIY mold removal. However, it becomes hazardous to the property owner’s health when the mold colonies cover an expansive area. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advises against cleaning mold in areas larger than 10 square feet.
Instead, it’s best to call in experienced mold remediation professionals to clean up the large areas of mold. Experts are recommended because mold spores can easily contaminate other areas of the home when colonies are improperly handled. This leads to the spread of mold throughout the home.
Plus, mold cleanup technicians arrive wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) that protects them against exposure to mold spores. Homeowners who suffer from respiratory health conditions that can be exacerbated by mold cleanup should leave the task to professionals.
A professional mold removal service is also advisable when mold infestations develop in the home’s air conditioning, heating, or ventilation systems. Experts come equipped with the tools and skills to access hard-to-reach places, thoroughly remove mold spores, and elevate indoor air quality.
When mold colonies develop in a small area, it’s safe to use hydrogen peroxide to kill the mold. However, when the infestation is major, mold remediation professionals are prepared to eliminate all traces of both hidden and visible mold from your residential home or commercial property.
Contact Your Local Mold Remediation Professionals
Highly skilled mold removal technicians arrive promptly after your call to inspect the property. They examine high-risk areas, such as bathrooms and basements. Upon creating a mold cleanup plan to address the issues, specialists begin the mold remediation process right away.
The affected areas are sealed off to prevent cross-contamination to other parts of the property. Specialized equipment is used to create negative air pressure to further prevent airborne spores from contaminating nearby areas. They run HEPA vacuums and apply cleaning solutions to kill the mold.
The spaces are thoroughly dried to prevent moisture from continuing to feed the mold spores. Technicians then identify the moisture source contributing to the mold growth and repair it. Excess moisture may be caused by common issues, such as leaks, high humidity levels, and poor ventilation.
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.
