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The bathroom might be one of the least pleasant areas in the home to clean. Whether cleaning the toilet bowl, scrubbing tiles or cleaning hair from around a drain, the bathroom is a hub for tedious messes. That said, it can be rewarding to clean your bathroom consistently to ensure your home is free of odors, grime and mold. Learning how to get rid of mold and prevent it in the future is crucial for maintaining a clean home.
With that in mind, I spoke with multiple cleaning experts, including the owner of a cleaning services brand and the founder of an online cleaning brand, for guidance and a few product recommendations — like this Amazon mold-removing gel — on the best way to get rid of mold.
SKIP AHEAD What is mold? | How to get rid of mold | The best products for getting rid of mold | Why trust NBC Select?
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The best products for getting rid of mold
All of the products below are either direct recommendations from our experts, ones I’ve used myself or have at least a 4-star average rating from 500 reviews or more on Amazon or at another major retailer.
Rmr-86 Instant Mold and Mildew Stain Remover Spray
- No scrubbing required
- Tough on tile and grout
- Safe on wood
- Ventilation required
The Rmr-86 cleaning solution is a multi-surface mold and mildew spray that you can use both outdoors and inside your home on soiled areas like windowsills, around sinks, and on glazed tiles in the bathroom. You can also use it on surfaces that come in contact with water, like fencing, concrete, cobblestone and siding. The cleaner, which has a 4.4-star average rating from 59,350 reviews on Amazon, has a strong scent, so the brand recommends opening your windows to circulate air when using it indoors.
Scrubbing Bubbles Foaming Bleach Spray
- Good for severe mold
- Locking nozzle
- Refillable
- Strong scent
If you have a particularly bad case of mold indoors, you may want to use a cleaning product that contains bleach, like this one. The foam formula can help to remove mold and mild stains that are stuck to hard surfaces, such as tiles, grout and bathtubs, according to the brand. You can also use it to clean toilets and sinks, which are susceptible to mold growth if they’re in areas without proper ventilation. It has a 4.6-star average rating from 6,096 reviews on Amazon, and is also safe on stainless steel and chrome. On the other hand, it isn’t recommended for wood surfaces, since bleach isn’t compatible with porous material, according to experts.
Clorox Tilex Mold & Mildew Remover
- Refillable
- No scrubbing required
- Only for nonporous surfaces
Rodriguez recommends this mold and mildew spray for cleaning bathroom surfaces that grow mold, especially tiles and grout. Since grout is a porous surface, it soaks in a lot of moisture but isn’t always exposed to air circulation, making it a hotbed for mold and mildew. The mold cleaner contains bleach, so it has a noticeable smell, but it prevents further mold and mildew growth for up to four weeks, according to the brand. The cleaner also has a 4.7-star average rating from 2,122 reviews at Target.
Zep Mold Stain & Mildew Remover
- Safe on vinyl curtains
- Safe on ceramic and porcelain
- Not for natural stone
This mold and mildew remover, which has a 4.5-star average rating from 1,089 reviews at Walmart, is ideal for cleaning hard nonporous surfaces, mainly in the bathroom. It contains bleach, so it’s tough on mold and mildew stains, especially after doing a rinse wash and wiping clean. Plus, it can help brighten surfaces for a cleaner appearance, according to the brand.
Calyptus 50% Concentrated Vinegar
- Good on laundry and appliances
- Lasts a long time
- Gets rid of grease
- Strong scent
Vinegar is a powerful cleaning solution because it’s very acidic and helps break down residue on surfaces. Concentrated vinegar is also a good (and safer) alternative for getting rid of mold if you don’t want to use bleach, according to experts I’ve spoken to. This particular variety is highly concentrated — about 50% of it is made of acetic acid, the main ingredient in vinegar, while standard vinegar only has about 4%, according to the brand. Be sure to dilute it before using by mixing about two and a half tablespoons with two cups of water.
CLR Mold and Mildew Foaming Stain Remover
- Bleach free
- Doesn’t have strong scent
- No rinse required
- Nothing to note at this time
I use this foaming cleaner in my shower every once in a while and I’m always impressed by how well it cleans weeks-old grime around my tub without leaving behind a strong scent. I use it mainly on the corners and cracks around my tub where lots of hair and dirt gather, and I don’t have to do much scrubbing for a bigger payoff. I also use it to clean the bottom of my shower liner, which sometimes gets discolored — this spray makes it noticeably cleaner the day after I apply it. What I love the most about it, though, is that I can just spray it all around my shower, let it sit for a few minutes and then wipe it away with one dry paper towel, so I don’t have to worry about residue being leftover by not rinsing the area with water.
What is mold?
Mold is a type of fungus that can grow both indoors and outdoors, primarily in very moist and humid environments where there is a lot of water and grime present, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). While mold is considered a naturally occurring process, mold that forms indoors is considered a form of grime and is usually a sign of improper ventilation. “Mold in the home is primarily caused by excess moisture, which can come from leaky pipes, high humidity, or condensation, particularly in bathrooms and kitchens,” says Jennifer Rodriguez, chief hygiene officer at ProHousekeepers.
While there are different types of mold, the variety you’re likely to see in the home typically appears as black or green patches that grow and spread, according to Rodriguez. Black mold, for example, is common and potentially dangerous. People also often confuse mold with mildew, which has similar causes and is white or gray in appearance.
How to get rid of mold
There are several products and methods you can use to thoroughly get rid of mold in your home. Here’s how our experts recommend going about doing it.
- Start by taking some time to identify that what you’re dealing with is in fact mold. Many people confuse mildew or other forms of grime with mold. Knowing what type of mess you’re working with will make sure your method of cleaning is most effective.
- Gather a pair of cleaning gloves, a mask and eye protection to defend yourself against harsh chemicals such as bleach or strong-scented cleaning sprays. You should also consider getting a stiff cleaning brush for scrubbing.
- For cleaning, consider using household bleach, a bleach-based cleaning spray like Scrubbing Bubbles Foaming Bleach Spray. You can also go theDIY route and use hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, tea tree oil and baking soda. There’s also mold and mildew remover sprays such as Rmr-86 Instant Mold and Mildew Stain Remover, Zep Mold & Mildew Stain Remover or Clr Mold & Mildew Stain Remover.
- If you use bleach, such as Clorox, do not use it or mix it with other cleaning products, especially white vinegar, as this causes toxic fumes that can affect your respiratory system and eyes. Also, dilute the bleach with water and transfer to a spray bottle for applicating.
- Spray the cleaning solution directly onto the mold stains, such as on a shower curtain, bathtub or on tiles. Use the brush to firmly scrub the stains and entire surface. For small areas or crevices, use a thin brush or toothbrush. Let the mix stand for a few minutes before rinsing and repeating if necessary. Let air dry.
- In addition to cleaning, you should make sure your bathroom (or other mold-susceptible area) is sufficiently ventilated. You can do this by opening a window, tuning on a fan, air conditioner and/or by manually drying off surfaces with a microfiber cloth.
What’s the difference between mold and mildew?
It’s easy to confuse both mold and mildew, especially since many cleaning sprays market themselves as treatments for both. However, there are visible differences between the two. “Mold is typically black, green or gray and has a fuzzy or slimy texture. Mildew, on the other hand, is usually white or gray and powdery,” says Melissa Maker, founder of cleaning site Clean My Space. “Mold tends to penetrate surfaces, while mildew usually stays on the surface.”
What are the types of mold?
While there are different types of mold, the variety you’re likely to see in the home typically appears as black or green patches that grow and spread, according to Rodriguez. They commonly develop around bathtubs, shower curtain liners, grout and bathroom ceilings. Black mold, for example, is potentially dangerous, according to Rodriguez. Other types of mold include aspergillus, cladosporium and penicillium, which all have a dark green and powdery appearance. They sometimes show up on moldy food.
Can mold make you sick?
In many cases, mold found in the household is usually manageable and treatable, though if left to develop, black mold can affect your respiratory system and cause allergies or health problems, according to Courtney Walsh, an expert at cleaning services company Homeaglow. “In regards to health risks, mold spores can cause allergic reactions, asthma attacks, and other respiratory problems, with those who live with pre-existing conditions or illnesses most at risk of developing symptoms,” she says. “Additionally, various molds, such as black mold (Stachybotrys chartarum), produce mycotoxins that can cause severe health issues, including chronic fatigue, headaches and neurological problems.”
Plus, mold can impact both the structural integrity and quality of your home, according to Walsh and Rodriguez. “The structural risks of mold growth in the bathroom include mold cultures penetrating and weakening the walls, ceilings, and floors by breaking down the organic materials — potentially creating a hazardous environment that can be costly to repair,” she says.
Does bleach kill mold?
Yes, bleach can help get rid of mold, but only on nonporous surfaces (such as glass, metal and some tiles), according to Maker. Bleach isn’t as effective at cleaning porous surfaces such as wood. That said, you should still use it carefully and take steps after to ensure the mold is eliminated. “Mix one cup of bleach with one gallon of water, apply it, and scrub,” says Maker. “Afterward, disinfect the brush to kill any mold spores.” Lastly, make sure the area is well ventilated to allow the moisture to dry and the fumes to dissipate.
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Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Melissa Maker is the founder of cleaning site Clean My Space and author of Clean My Space: The Secret to Cleaning Better, Faster, and Loving Your Home Every Day.
- Jennifer Rodriguez is the chief hygiene officer at home cleaning services company ProHousekeepers.
- Courtney Walsh is a cleaning expert at home cleaning services company Homeaglow.
Why trust NBC Select?
I’m a commerce editor at NBC Select, who regularly reports on cleaning related content and interviews cleaning experts. I’ve covered topics such as how to clean a mattress, window air conditioner, coffee makers and reusable water bottles.
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