Does hydrogen peroxide kill mold? Mold lives in dark, dry, and humid places. They can grow in your home unknown to you. Mold grows within two days and your basement, kitchen, and bathroom are at the greatest risk for the development of molds and bacteria because of their direct contact with moisture.
It is very important to treat mold immediately. Untreated, mold can cause respiratory illnesses and allergies.
As you might already know, Hydrogen peroxide is a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen.
Hydrogen peroxide comes in a range of strengths. For instance;
- Household hydrogen peroxide contains only 3% of hydrogen peroxide
- Hair Bleach contains 6-10% hydrogen peroxide.
- Food-grade hydrogen peroxide, however, contains 35%. Take note, food-grade hydrogen peroxide should never be taken internally without being diluted very well.
- Industrial hydrogen peroxide used for industrial purposes contains up to 90% hydrogen peroxide.
Does Hydrogen Peroxide Kill Mold?
Yes. Hydrogen peroxide is an anti-fungal, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial treatment that effectively destroys mold on a range of products, including kitchen appliances, bathroom fittings, floors, and walls.
Hydrogen peroxide reacts rapidly by releasing oxygen which in effect oxidizes and decomposes the surface of the mold. The EPA accepts many mold removal peroxides as approved disinfectants with wide scope and coverage. This implies that mold is destroyed by hydrogen peroxide.
Another option, however, is that you can spray the solution directly onto the damp cloth. Then rub it over the area filled with mold. You are expected to spray the polluted surface one more time to achieve better results.
You may want to remove the sprayed chemical hydrogen peroxide later. You can create another solution for that, in which case, you’ll need a cup of water with about half a teaspoon of baking soda added to it.
Repeat the same procedure and apply the new mixture to the cleaned area.
How to Use Hydrogen Peroxide to Kill Mold
- Pour 3% of the hydrogen peroxide concentration into a spray tank.
- Completely saturate the moldy surface, and leave for 10 minutes.
- Next, clean the area to remove any stains from the mold and wax.
- And lastly, wipe down the surface to remove any leftover mold and spores.
How to Use Hydrogen Peroxide to Get Rid of Black Mold
It is also very common to use hydrogen peroxide for black mold because the use of this chemical is much better than chlorinated bleach. It is also not harmful to the environment.
Getting rid of any kind of black mold that has formed on your clothes or your walls is very easy. There’s no need to worry or panic.
- Simply mix water and 3 per cent hydrogen peroxide, in a spray bottle. Leave it for about 5-10mins before using it.
- Soak a towel in the solution and use it to wipe off the black mold.
How to Use Vinegar To Kill Mold
Vinegar is a mild acid that can destroy 82% of mold species.
Baking soda along with vinegar is often used to destroy various mold species.
Use white distilled vinegar to kill mold and pour it into a spray bottle without diluting it.
Sprinkle the vinegar onto the moldy surface and let stay for an hour.
Finally, wipe the area water-clean and allow the surface to dry. Some scent from the vinegar will be obvious in a couple of hours.
How to Use Baking Soda To Kill Mold
Baking soda is a mild, white mineral powder that can be used in your home to destroy mold and is healthy for your family and pets. It can trap moisture in addition to destroying mold, to help keep the mold away.
Add a quarter of a tablespoon of baking soda to a spray water bottle and shake until it dissolves. Sprinkle with the baking soda and water solution the moldy area. Afterwards, use a scrub brush to remove all the mold from the surface. Then, rinse the surface with water to clear any surface residual mold.
Eventually, spray the area again and dry the air.
They are all perfect non-toxic alternatives to chemical-based cleaners. Not only because they are safe to use and environmentally friendly, but also because all of these items are affordable and easy to find.
How to Remove Tough Mold Stains
To get rid of tough surface mold, simply apply 3% hydrogen peroxide on the mold and leave it for some minutes, before wiping dry. Repeat as necessary. You can also scrub extra-stubborn stains with baking soda.
Once the mold is gone, you’ll want to keep the room dry with a dehumidifier and/or proper ventilation to prevent the mold from returning. You can also keep sachets of activated charcoal around the room. The odor-causing bacteria will be absorbed into the porous charcoal for up to three months. But you don’t have to toss it after that! Once it begins to lose its odor-absorbing abilities, simply place it in the sun for a few hours (up to a few days in some instances) to “recharge”.
Benefits Of Using Hydrogen Peroxide To Kill Mold
1. Apart from mold reduction, hydrogen peroxide also has many benefits. It kills viruses and bacteria, too.
2. It does not leave radioactive contaminants behind, or contain toxic fumes
3. It does not produce by-products which are environmentally unacceptable
4. It is safe to use on all substances or surface.
5. Cost-effective; it is very cheap and easy to find
6. It easily penetrates porous surfaces.
Demerits Of Using Hydrogen Peroxide In Killing Mold
While hydrogen peroxide is non-toxic, it can cause sensitive skin irritation. It has a mild bleaching effect, so colors on fabrics can be lightened.
Hydrogen peroxide solutions aren’t stable in sunlight, so packaging and storage is a concern.
The container can undergo rapid pressurization if polluted, with the possibility of bursting.
If it is dirty, it is vulnerable to degradation; hence, containers and any water used to dilute it must be very clean.
Peroxide only stays stable under acidic conditions. As a result it can damage non- surfaces.
Hydrogen peroxide neither removes nor kills mycotoxins. This is a major con.
Other Methods of Removing Molds
Below are several other methods of getting rid of molds.
Using Tea Tree Oil to Remove Mold
Tea tree oil is an organic oil which is harmless to both humans and animals. Tea tree oil is antifungal and can destroy all sorts of molds. The tea-tree oil is also antibacterial.
It is one of the most powerful natural mold removal solutions. Though costly, a small amount of tea tree oil goes a long way in destroying mold.
Steps to Follow In Using Tea Tree Oil To Remove Mold;
1. Mix 2 tablespoons of oil with 2 cups of water in a spray bottle. You can use and keep this solution for a long time and it will still be very effective.
2. Spray the solution on the moldy surface and leave it. You can also spray the solution on a cloth and use it to scrub the mold away.
3. There is no need to rinse the area, because leaving the tea tree oil on the surface will destroy the mold and prevent it from returning. Tea tree oil has a strong scent but after a while it’ll go away.
How To Use Grapefruit Seed Extract To Remove Mold
Grapefruit seed extract is similar to tea tree oil because it is an expensive but highly successful natural mold killer.
However, the advantage of grapefruit seed extract over tea tree oil is that it has virtually no scent.
You can purchase grapefruit extract from most health food stores.
Grapefruit seed extract naturally gets rid of mold as it assaults mold through the citric acid from the grapefruit.
Grapefruit seed extract also disinfects and deodorizes areas too. A small amount of grapefruit seed extract, like tea tree oil, will go a long way in getting rid of mold.
Steps in Using Grapefruit Seed Extract to Remove Mold
1. To remove mold with grapefruit seed extract create a grapefruit seed extract solution and water in a spray bottle in the ratio of 10 drops per cup of water.
2. Shake the spray bottle to thoroughly mix the solution and sprinkle it onto the surface where the mold grows.
3. You don’t need to clean the solution away afterwards but after a few minutes, if you want, you can use a cloth to wash off the mold and solution. The longer the grapefruit seed extract is in contact with mold, the more it can break through and destroy the colony of mold and prevent the return of mold.
4. Repeat if need be to extract mold from the surface more thoroughly.
Using Bleach to Remove Mold
Bleach will totally destroy any indoor mold species with which it comes into contact, along with its spores, leaving a surface that is sanitized and resistant to potential mold growth.
However, the use of bleach is sadly only successful if the mold develops on non-porous materials such as walls, toilets, glass and countertops. Bleach cannot penetrate into porous materials, and thus, does not come into contact with mold growing under the surface of materials such as wood and drywall.
Using bleach on these materials will destroy the mold above the surface. The mold, however, remains rooted within the material and will return early.
Steps in Using Bleach to Remove Mold
Bleach creates unpleasant fumes, so be sure that the area is well ventilated before you start. You should also wear gloves to protect your hands during the process.
1. Using a ratio of one cup of bleach per gallon of water, make your own mold removal solution
2. Use a spray bottle and a cloth to apply the solution to non-porous surfaces with mold growth.
3. Afterwards, you don’t need to disinfect the surface as the bleach can prevent potential mold development. Ensure the surface is not within the reach of children and pets.
Using Borax to Remove Mold
Borax, a white mineral powder, has a pH of approximately 9 and low toxicity. Using borax to remove mold has many advantages. For example, borax is a natural cleaning agent. Also, while it is poisonous if you ingest it, borax, unlike some other mold killers, does not release toxins or harmful fumes.
Borax is commonly used as a deodorizer as well as a toilet and drain cleaner. Borax is also used as an insecticide, herbicide, and fungicide and as a natural mold deterrent, it can be combined with water in a solution to destroy and dissolve molds. You can buy borax from the laundry section at supermarkets for a couple of bucks.
Steps in Using Borax to Remove Mold
1. To remove mold using borax, use a ratio of 1 cup of borax per gallon of water to create a borax-water solution.
2. Vacuum any loose mold with a filtered HEPA vacuum cleaner to minimize the amount of spores in the air during the cleaning process.
3. Use a scrubbing brush to scrub the mold off the floor using the borax-water solution.
4. Wipe off any small particles of moisture and residual mold or dust / debris to prevent them from spreading into the air until the surface has dried.
5. You don’t have to rinse off the borax because the solution stops any mold from starting to grow on the surface again.
6. Leave the surface to dry well.