Products That Kill Black Mold

Black mold, also known as Strachybotrys chartarum or Strachybotrys atra, is a toxic fungus that can appear on your walls, on the grout in between tiles, or on any other surface that gets a lot of moisture. Despite its name, black mold appears dark green or brown. Usually a musty, sour odor will accompany the mold. If you notice signs of black mold in your home, you must take action against it immediately. Prolonged exposure may cause serious respiratory problems and even death in people with a compromised immune system. You can use a few different common household items to eliminate your mold problem. Mold loves moisture, so be sure not to overly saturate the surface with any solution as that may worsen the problem.

Chlorine Bleach

Chlorine bleach provides powerful chemical resistance against black mold and its associated musty odor, particularly when the mold appears on clothing, wood, grout, walls or tiles. A University of Missouri Extension report recommends mixing 1/2 cup of the bleach with one gallon of water and spraying it directly on the mold. Allow the bleach to soak into the mold.

Hydrogen peroxide in its 3-percent form provides the same black mold resistance as chlorine bleach, but in a more natural, eco-friendly compound. If you are concerned about the presence of toxic chemicals in your cleaning products, consider hydrogen peroxide as an alternative to bleach. You can spray hydrogen peroxide directly on the mold without diluting it first.

Vinegar actively destroys most types of bacteria, and black mold is no exception. By keeping a supply of 5% household vinegar in a clean spray bottle, you can conveniently spray black mold spores wherever and whenever they appear.

Individually, salt and lemon juice provide resistance against black mold, but when you combine the two you create a powerful weapon against black mold. If you notice black mold on the pages of a book or on the front of a t-shirt, just squirt a few drops of lemon juice directly on the mold and then sprinkle salt over the dampened surface.

Add 1/4 tbsp. of baking soda to a spray bottle full of water and shake well. Spray any visible signs of black mold with the solution to kill the active spores.