Updated on Nov. 26, 2024
Mold and mildew can grow almost anywhere, from fabric to concrete. These are the best mold-eliminating products for almost every surface type.
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When it comes to mold in your home, the faster you act, the better. Whether it’s small spots of mold on shower tiles or larger outbreaks caused by hidden leaks or poor ventilation, removing mold quickly is crucial for maintaining a healthy living environment. Mold can trigger allergic reactions, worsen asthma and damage your home’s surfaces if left untreated.
There are a variety of cleaning products available, but choosing the right one can be overwhelming. You want a cleaner that not only eliminates mold effectively but also helps prevent it from coming back. With so many options on the market, it’s important to pick the best solution for your needs. In this guide, we’ve rounded up our top picks for the best mold cleaners in 2024, so you can take care of your home safely and efficiently.a
Mold and mildew can grow in many different places, and figuring out the best product to use on surfaces like wood, fabric or concrete can be confusing. When choosing a mold eliminator, look for a product that is safe for the material type in need of cleaning.
This concentrated cleaner is formulated for use with a pressure washer, but also works with a sponge or scrub brush for smaller areas or more fragile surfaces. And Simple Green Oxy Solve Total Outdoor meets the requirements for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safer Choice Standard list of products.
Scrubbing tile and grout is a tedious job, which is why no-scrub X-14 Mildew Stain Remover is so great for cleaning bathrooms. Simply spray it on areas that have developed mold, mildew or Serratia marcescens (the pinkish-orangish bacteria often found around shower, tub and sink drains) and let it do the work. X-14 Mildew Stain Remover can be used on grout, tile, vinyl, and plastic surfaces.
While liquid chlorine bleach can remove mold and mildew from fabrics, it’s overly harsh and can lead to color loss. Engleside Restoration Fabric Cleaner is a gentle, odor-free stain remover that’s safe for almost any textile, including delicates like baby clothes or handmade quilts.
A mold colony that sits atop wood can be vacuumed (be sure you have a HEPA filter). But if the mold penetrated the wood, you’ll need something stronger to kill the spores. RMR-86 Instant Mold Stain & Mildew Stain Remover is a no-scrub formula, a good choice for wood that a scrub sponge or a brush might damage.
This pressure washer-compatible concentrated concrete cleaner will eliminate mold, mildew and algae. It also works on common concrete stains like oil and grease. Besides concrete, Krud Kutter Concrete & Driveway is safe for brick, masonry and asphalt. And because it’s biodegradable and non-toxic, it won’t damage plants, grass or landscaping features like pavers and rocks.
When choosing a mold remover for your roof, look for a product that’s safe for your roofing type. Mold Armor E-Z House Wash is safe for most roofing materials, as well as vinyl, aluminum and wood siding, brick, stucco and concrete. It can also be used to clean painted trim, decks and fences. Apply with a garden or tank sprayer, which are sold separately.
For outdoor use, look for a bleach-free mold and mildew remover. Diluted liquid chlorine bleach removes mold from concrete, brick, stucco and other outdoor materials, but the run-off may damage plants and landscaping features. Wet & Forget No Scrub Outdoor Cleaner is a ready-to-use “spray and leave” formula that doesn’t require scrubbing. The attached sprayer covers a 60 to 180 sq. ft. area.
Bleach is the most readily available, cost-effective and multi-purpose mold and mildew remover you can find. Liquid Chlorine Bleach has drawbacks — possible color loss in fabrics, and runoff that could damage to plants and landscaping features — but its versatility and effectiveness can’t be beaten.
While the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends leaving areas of mold larger than 10 sq. ft. to professionals, smaller areas can be cleaned yourself. However, if you have pre-existing allergies or asthma, or are immunocompromised, it’s best to leave mold removal to the pros.
If mold keeps coming back, you likely have an unresolved moisture issue in your home. Contact a mold remediation company to identify the problem and the best way to fix it.
