Mold, in one form or another, is a problem for people in households throughout the United States. Not only is mold unsightly, it has been associated with a number of health problems of varying levels of severity. In the event that the mold situation in your home has become significantly widespread, you’ll need to contact a professional service to contain the problem before it gets worse. Companies such as PuroClean Property Paramedics are experienced in the area of mold prevention and remediation, and they’ll be able to analyze, treat, and seal off moldy areas to control the problem at hand.
When it comes to mold, it is not always necessary to call upon a professional service to tackle the problem. Small patches of mold can usually be cleaned using warm water and household detergents; a task that can be handled by any willing homeowner. However, if you are going to deal with your mold problem on your own, then there’s one tactic you might want to avoid: the use of bleach. Though many people like to believe that bleach is the most effective tool for combating mold, this thought process is actually scientifically unfounded.
The object, when treating mold, is to kill its roots to prevent it from spreading. Mold remediation often includes the disinfection of wood or wood-based surfaces, all of which are porous materials. Bleach contains water, and the composition of bleach is such that it prevents the proper agents from soaking into such materials to truly kill the roots of the mold. On the other hand, the water component of the bleach will successfully penetrate the surface of wood. Why is this a bad thing? It’s simple: Water is one of the most helpful ingredients in a mold-breeding environment. By introducing bleach to a wood or wood-based surface, you’ll actually be taking an active step to feed the mold, not destroy it. In fact, many people who used bleach to treat mold on wooden surfaces in the past came to realize that a number of days after the application, the mold began to appear darker and more concentrated, the exact opposite of what they were hoping for.
While bleach can be used to combat mold on nonporous surfaces such as countertops, showers, and bathtubs, it might not be as effective as you’d like to think. Studies have shown that the mold-killing ingredients of bleach lose their power over time. By the time a bottle of bleach makes its way from a warehouse to a grocery store to the inside of your home, chances are that mold-fighting formula has already lost much of its strength.
Finally, bleach is not registered with the Environmental Protection Agency as a disinfectant to kill mold. It also contains toxic materials that could cause a number of serious health-related side effects. If you are going to use bleach to tackle a mold problem on a nonporous surface, then use protective gear, including gloves and a face mask.
Of course, the best way to combat mold is to prevent it from growing or occurring in the first place. To do so, keep internal humidity levels in check, and inspect faucets and water sources regularly to ensure that none are leaking. If you’re diligent enough, then you can stop mold in its tracks before it becomes a problematic part of your life.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
