There is always a chance that molds contaminate your house while leaving you blindsided. Warm and humid areas of your houses that do not get direct sunlight are prone to the contamination of these spores.
Start from tiny black dots—it only takes a day or two until they outbreak uncontrollably into millions. They surely aren’t easy for the eyes and definitely gross. Besides, and probably the most important concern here, they can actually threaten your health and wellness.
Often referred to as anti-fungal, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial, Hydrogen peroxide can be a perfect means for molds removal. Does hydrogen peroxide kill mold and grant us with the satisfying result? Let us dive into these short explanations.
Table of Contents
1. Why Hydrogen Peroxide?
There are ways to get rid of molds out of our sights such as sanding, scraping, wire brushing, media blasting, and else. From all of those ways, not all of them can grant us with the relatively permanent result. In fact, only media blasting that will likely give us with such a satisfying result.
Media blasting incorporates certain types of compounds to get rid of molds as nearly as possible to their roots. From soda blasting, many skilled technicians have let us know to use hydrogen peroxide to do the job.
Hydrogen peroxide is a non-toxic mold killer that is relatively safer for both spaces and our health. Especially if we compare it with other chemical used to kill molds like chlorine, hydrogen peroxide offers no harmful side effects to our health.
2. The Benefits of Using Hydrogen Peroxide to Kill Molds
As we want to see such an obvious result, we often compromise with the side effects of a chemical used to get rid of molds. However, cleaning mold with hydrogen peroxide is relatively effective as well as less harmful to our overall health.
Many peroxides for mold removal are acknowledged by EPA as registered disinfectants with broad spectrum and coverage. Hydrogen peroxide will clean our space with its aggressive antimicrobial efficacy without scarifying our own health. And, even more satisfying to have, hydrogen peroxide does not have an offensive odor that often associates with hazardous chemical elements.
Cleaning mold with hydrogen peroxide starts with its ability to release oxygen and break the molds. This oxidizing ability also let this cleaning agent be able to combat malodor and stains.
Another benefit of using peroxide to kill mold is it does not generate environmentally objectionable byproducts. As it is constructed by hydrogen and oxygen, this cleaning agent will not decompose hazardous decomposition products but water and oxygen.
3. How to Remove Mold Contamination Using Hydrogen Peroxide?
Hydrogen peroxide is undeniably handy when it comes to how to get rid of mold. We just have to add a teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide into a cup of water. Transfer the solution to a spray bottle, and you are ready to go.
Spray the solution onto the contaminated surface and clean it in a circular motion using wiping cloth after letting it rest for a couple minutes. Or, you can also apply some sprays to a damp cloth rather than having direct spraying like so. To have an even thorough result, you can spray the surface one more time and wipe off the remaining bits of the molds.
To finish up the peroxide for mold removal process, have another solution that consists of half a teaspoon of baking soda and a cup of water. Fill a bottle sprayer with the solution and apply it to the cleaned areas. Rinse the areas with clean water, and you should no longer worry about mold contamination.
Still, if you want to go extra and have such e preventive solution to possible returning molds, you can also place dehumidifier near areas that are prone to dampness and high humidity.
4. Limitation of Hydrogen Peroxide
After knowing the benefits of using peroxide for mold removal as well as step by step of how to use it properly, the next thing should be related to limitation of hydrogen peroxide. Will peroxide kill mold without, literally, any harmful?
The answer is no. There are some limitations to it that should always be put into consideration.
It is important to store the solutions away from direct sunlight to avoid oxidation and reduction reaction. Having it stored inside dark bottles can also solve this issue.
Other storing related issue is about the risk of bursting if it is contaminated and experience such a rapid pressurization processes. Hence, it is essential for diluting hydrogen peroxide into very clean water to avoid degradation and contamination
As much as we want to use the solutions on any materials, it is important to know that the solutions can be damaging for certain textile dyes. In addition, the solutions should not be used for not acid stable surfaces as it is only stabilized under acidic condition.
Read also: Using Lysol to Remove Mold Contamination
5. Other Use of Hydrogen Peroxide and Post-Mold Treatments
Besides having an effective ability to remove molds, Hydrogen peroxide is useful for other cleaning related jobs.
The same solutions for mold removal can be used to clean and disinfect wet items. This surely is applicable to be used on wood, fabric, and areas near bathrooms or mudrooms.
Once an area or item get contaminated by mold, they tend to have such a distinctive lingering odor. Have an odor free room or items by placing either vinegar or lemon water near them. Leave it for a few days, and both vinegar and lemon water should be able to get rid of any unpleasant smell.
To keep the mold and odor from returning, keeping the room dry by utilizing dehumidifiers or reinstall proper installation are keys. Another alternative is by putting volcanic rocks around the used-to-be contaminated areas. Those volcanic rocks will absorb the causing bacteria into the porous materials for a certain amount of time.
Removing mold should involve proper use of solutions and post-treatment. Using hydrogen peroxide could be a way to achieve it without having to compromise over other things that matter more, such as our health. However, don’t hesitate to call for professionals any time you think you need one.