Mold Remover: A Short Introduction
Mold is a type of fungal growth that commonly grows in damp areas of the home. If left untreated, it can cause damage to both your health and your property. Thankfully, there are also lots of mold remover products available on the market, designed to help you kill the fungus and remove any stains.
In this article, we’ll examine some of the best mold removers for a range of different applications. Products that perform well in one area of the home do not always work well in another. It’s important to consider what type of mold you are treating and what surface it’s growing on.
Later, we’ll take a look at the factors you should consider when choosing mold remover, and a variety of common buyers’ questions. While many people choose to treat mold themselves, if you are faced with a very serious mold infestation, you should consider calling a mold removal specialist.
Top 10 Best Mold Removers
Best Overall
1. RMR-86 Mold Remover & RMR-141 Mold Killer Bundle
Key Features
⤍ Mold stain remover and fungicide
⤍ Pre-mixed formula
⤍ Works on a range of surfaces
Active Ingredients: Ammonia & Sodium Hypochlorite
Formulation: Pre-mixed & ready to use
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When it comes to mold removal products, RMR is the leading name in the industry. Their two leading products – RMR-141 and RMR-86 are available together in this bundle, helping to kill mold and remove staining.
RMR-86 is used first, to remove mold staining and prepare the surface. This spray-on treatment contains Sodium Hypochlorite and does not require scrubbing. It comes ready-mixed and can be used on a wide variety of different surfaces, including both porous and non-porous.
After the RMR-86 has cleaned the area and dried, then it’s time to apply RMR-141, which is a fungicide and anti-bacterial disinfectant. This powerful solution comes in a separate ready-mixed spray applicator, making it incredibly easy to use. Once applied, this ammonium-based product kills 99% of bacteria, and prevents mold from returning. It is also EPA-registered.
This combination of products allows effective treatment and prevention of mold on a variety of surfaces. With an army of happy customers leaving positive reviews online, this is our number one recommendation for mold removal.
Best For Bathroom & Tiles
2. Tilex Mold and Mildew Remover with Bleach
Key Features
⤍ Combination formula for tiles and hard surfaces
⤍ Contains mold cleaner and fungicide
⤍ Very easy to use & good value
Active Ingredients: Bleach
Formulation: Pre-mixed & ready to use
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By far the most common place to find mold in your home is in the shower or bathroom. Since these areas are both warm and damp, it creates a perfect environment for mold to grow. This clever combination product combines a mold stain remover with a fungicide to prevent future growth.
The main active ingredient in this product is bleach, which is effective in killing a wide range of molds and fungi, from Athlete’s foot through to mildew. This is combined with a surfactant, which works to clean the stains from the surface too.
It’s important to remember that this product is specifically formulated for use on non-porous surfaces such as tile and plastic. It will not be effective on surfaces such as wood – where other products work better.
Application is very simple – all you need to do is spray the pre-mixed formula onto the affected area. No scrubbing is necessary, which makes the process much more enjoyable. Like most bleach-based products, however, the odor can be very strong so it’s best to keep the area ventilated.
For removing mold from your bathroom, Tilex Mold & Mildew Remover is an excellent choice. With its double action formula, you can effectively remove mold and prevent future growth in one treatment.
Best For Outdoor Mold
3. Wet and Forget Mold and Mildew Stain Remover
Key Features
⤍ Specifically formulated for outdoor use
⤍ Simple to use: spray and leave it
⤍ Available in mixed and concentrate formats
Active Ingredients: Selective surfactants for mold & mildew
Formulation: Concentrate or pre-mixed
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When you are looking to remove mold and mildew outdoors, there are some additional considerations to bear in mind. First, you need to minimize the risk of damage to stone, brick, and wood surfaces your cleaner comes into contact with. Second, you need to consider the environmental impact of the chemicals you use.
Wet and Forget Mold and Mildew Stain Remover was specifically formulated with these two considerations in mind and is an extremely effective product for the removal of outdoor mold and mildew. This product is designed to be applied in a spray to everything from driveways to garden furniture. After application, the product is designed to be left for several weeks for the chemical action to occur. No scrubbing or rinsing is required – you just leave it to do its thing.
Available in either a concentrate or pre-mixed format, Wet and Forget Mold and Mildew Stain Remover contains a biodegradable formula of selective surfactants for a variety of molds, moss, and mildew. This means you don’t need to worry about it damaging the grass or other plants.
Wrapping up, this is the go-to product for most buyers looking for an outdoor mold and mildew remover. With thousands of happy buyers across the internet, you can’t go wrong with Wet & Forget for outdoor use.
Best For Fabrics & Home
4. EC3 Mold Solution Concentrate
Key Features
⤍ Gentle botanical formula
⤍ Safe for children and pets & can be added to laundry
⤍ Less effective on showers and hard surfaces
Active Ingredients: Citrus seed extracts
Formulation: Concentrate
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For buyers looking for a mold treatment for home and fabric use, EC3’s popular Mold Solution Concentrate is a great choice. Formulated to be used safely around pets and children, this mild-mannered product is extremely versatile and effective.
Formulated using a proprietary mix of botanicals which includes citrus seed extracts and vegetable glycerin, you can use this product on both porous and non-porous surfaces. Mixed with water in a spray bottle, it can be used to spray on furniture or countertops. Combined with a high-temperature steamer, you can use it to treat mold and remove stains on curtains and carpets.
EC3 Mold Solution Concentrate is also very popular with buyers as a laundry additive, as it can help to remove mold from old or damp clothing. Given its botanical makeup, it’s considered to be much safer with pets and children than harsher chemical products.
Although you can use this product to remove mold in showers, it’s considered to be less effective than bleach-based products. As a result, we recommend it as a great solution for fabrics and other sensitive applications, but perhaps not the best choice for all-round use.
Best For Commercial Applications
5. Concrobium Mold Control
Key Features
⤍ Versatile product for all surfaces
⤍ Takes time to work
⤍ Available in concentrate and pre-mixed form
Active Ingredients: Sodium Carbonate
Formulation: Concentrate
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Concrobium Mold Control is a well-established mold killing fungicide and a great alternative to RMR-141. This product contains no bleach and is aimed at reducing recurrences of mold after outbreaks.
Available in concentrate form (and also pre-mixed) – Concrobium Mold Control targets mold and mildew using Sodium Carbonate as it’s active ingredient. This strong alkali chemical targets the mold spores and chemically reacts with them, killing the mold.
Mold Control is best applied by hand, but can also be applied by a sprayer. After application, you need to leave it to dry out completely and react with the mold. Many owners expect a reaction in minutes or hours, but this product should be left on the surface for some time.
Suitable for most mold applications – including indoor and outdoor, as well as porous and non-porous materials, Concrobium Mold Control is a great pick for mold treatment. Popular with professionals, this product is a great all-round solution to mold issues.
6. MOLD ARMOR Mold and Mildew Killer Quick Stain Remover
Key Features
⤍ Bleach based mold remover
⤍ Effective on hard non-porous surfaces (kitchens & bathrooms)
⤍ Easy to use pre-mixed spray
Active Ingredients: Bleach
Formulation: Pre-mixed
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Another option for non-porous surfaces, Mold Armor Mold, and Mildew Killer Quick Stain Remover is a great solution for killing and removing mold from showers, bathrooms, and other hard surfaces.
This combination product is EPA registered and combines a mold cleaning surfactant with potent antibacterial and fungicidal chemicals. This helps to both clean the surface and help prevent future mold growth.
Like other similar products, this is a no-scrub formula. You simply shake it up, spray it on, and then wipe it clean after 10 seconds.
It’s important to note that this is a bleach-based formula, which works well on non-porous surfaces, but is not suitable for fabrics and other porous materials. As such, MOLD ARMOR Mold and Mildew Killer Quick Stain Remover is really something of a specialist product. For buyers looking for effective bathroom and kitchen cleaning, it’s a great option. But for all-round mold removal, it is more limited.
7. Star Brite Mold and Mildew Stain Remover
Key Features
⤍ Bleach based mold remover
⤍ Effective on hard non-porous surfaces (kitchens & bathrooms)
⤍ Easy to use pre-mixed spray
Active Ingredients: Bleach
Formulation: Pre-mixed
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Originally designed for marine environments, Star Brite Mold and Mildew Stain Remover has now been adopted for use on RVs, outdoor furniture, and lots of other mold removal applications. Founded in the US in 1973, Star Brite has a long history of manufacturing high-performance cleaning products right here in the USA.
This particular product is another combination formula that removes stains and dirt as well as treating the surface against future mold growth. Unlike other more simplistic formulas, this version uses a buffered bleach rather than regular bleach. That helps to reduce damage to upholstery and trim, where traditional bleach formulations can cause discoloring.
Available in two sizes of a pre-mixed solution, as well as a concentrate version, there are options for every type of buyer. Like other mold removal products, Star Brite Mold and Mildew Stain Remover needs to be applied and then left while it chemically cleans the mold stains. Once the stains have disappeared, you can rinse the surface off and you’re done.
For folks shopping for an all-round mold removal solution, this is another very effective choice. Many happy customer reviews point to great results for buyers across a variety of applications, and as a result, we highly recommend it.
8. Moldex Mold & Mildew Stain Remover
Our Take
⤍ Pre-mixed bleach based mold remover
⤍ Less versatile than other products in this review
⤍ Effective on hard non-porous surfaces (kitchens & bathrooms)
Active Ingredients: Bleach
Formulation: Pre-mixed
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Key Features
Moldex Mold & Mildew Stain Remover is a traditional bleach-based mold stain removal product, designed for use on non-porous materials. Available in a pre-mixed format, this product is easy to use and will help clear mold and mildew stains without scrubbing.
Due to its bleach-gel formulation, this product is not recommended for use on fabric or any other porous surface. For other surfaces like showers, fiberglass, and metal, you simply spray it on and wait for the stain to disappear. After the mold stain goes away, you can rinse the surface off with water.
Due to its strong bleach formulation, this product emits quite a strong vapor and should be used in well-ventilated areas. You should avoid contact with your skin, so gloves are a good idea too.
Although perhaps not as versatile as some of the other products in this review, Moldex Mold & Mildew Stain Remover will still get the job done in a large number of mold removal applications. Take care to remember this product shouldn’t be used on fabrics, but for showers and other similar applications, it’s a good option.
9. Zep Mold and Mildew Remover
Key Features
⤍ Highly effective for baths and showers
⤍ Powerful bleach means it’s unsuitable for much else
⤍ Easy-to-use pre-mixed sprayer
Active Ingredients: Bleach
Formulation: Pre-mixed
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Popular for a wide range of cleaning products, Zep has been manufacturing in the US since 1937. Like other bathroom and bleach-based mold cleaners, this product is focused on non-porous surfaces and designed to have a powerful formula.
Available in a wide variety of multipacks, Zep Mold and Mildew Remover comes in a pre-mixed spray bottle ready for use. Due to the high strength bleach used, Zep actually doesn’t recommend this product for use on metal, marble, or fabric, as it can damage the surface.
For bathroom tiles and fiberglass tubs, that bleach has a powerful whitening effect, however, which cuts through mold and mildew without the need for additional scrubbing. After waiting one minute for the product to do its work, you can rinse the tub or shower off again and move on.
Due to the high bleach concentration, this product is slightly limited in terms of applications. We would not recommend using it outdoors, or really on any surfaces other than tile, tubs or grout. The danger is the risk of bleaching or damage to plants and other surfaces. If you need a powerful bathroom mold remover, then Zep Mold and Mildew Remover is a great choice, but if you expect a variety of applications we would recommend other products in this review.
10. Better Boat Mildew Stain Remover
Key Features
⤍ Non-bleach mold removal formula
⤍ Works on porous and non-porous surfaces
⤍ Popular among boaters and RV owners
Active Ingredients: Unknown
Formulation: Pre-mixed
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Like Star Brite, Better Boat are well known for their boat cleaning supplies. However, as their products have been so well received among RV enthusiasts and other folks looking to remove mold and mildew, they have gained a foothold in a larger segment of the market.
Better Boat Mildew Stain Remover is a traditional non-bleach stain remover, which makes it great for multipurpose usage. It can be applied to a wide variety of different surfaces, including fiberglass and tile, all the way through to fabric covers.
Like other mold removal formulations, you spray the product onto the surface, and then leave it while it chemically reacts with the mold and mildew. Once the mold has disappeared, you can rinse it off. For stubborn stains, several applications and light scrubbing might be necessary.
Available in a pre-mixed sprayer bottle, this product is ready to use right away. For boat applications, we highly recommend it. It’s a good choice for other areas too – but you might want to consider one of the bigger names such as RMR for household mold removal.
What To Consider When Buying Mold Remover
Like many chemical products, there are a variety of different types of mold remover. This can make it confusing to know exactly which type you need for your application. In this section, we’ll take a look at some of the key things to consider when choosing an effective mold remover.
Location Of The Mold
The most important thing to consider is what type of surface your mold is located on. This will be one of the biggest factors in determining what type of mold remover you use.
Showers & Bathrooms
Perhaps the most common place to discover mold is in your bathroom. With a warm and damp environment, it comes as no surprise. Mold cleaners for bathrooms differ from other mold cleaners because they often contain high levels of bleach. This helps the cleaner kill the mold, and also whiten the tiles, tub, and grout at the same time. If you are using your product exclusively in the bathroom, a product like Tilex is a great choice.
Garden Furniture, Boats & Outdoor Fabrics
Another popular application is removing mold from boats, RV’s, and other equipment that is stored outside during the damp months. The variety of different materials involved makes this application more challenging.
Specialist boat and general-purpose mold removers are the best choices in this situation, as they do not contain bleach. Bleach products can damage covers and other porous materials, and so are best avoided. If in doubt, always test the product on a small area first.
Buildings, Roofs & Outdoor
Homeowners will often see mold growing on their roofs, external walls, and brickwork. For this application, there are a number of outdoor mold remover treatments which work exceptionally well. These are typically non-bleach products and are often selective in nature. That means the chemicals exclusively target mold and mildew, and do not harm other plants.
Indoor & Clothing
For indoor use, on fabrics and clothing, a gentler mold treatment is often required. Here you need to be careful you don’t cause skin reactions, and many of the harsh chemicals in other treatments aren’t appropriate. A mild product like EC3 is a great choice for this application.
General Purpose
Finally, there are a number of general-purpose mold removers on the market. These work well outdoors as well as indoors and can be used on the drywall as well. While they are suitable for almost all applications, we would caution against using them on clothing or anything that could come into close contact with humans or pets.
Types Of Mold Remover
There are essentially two types of products people look at when purchasing mold remover: mold stain remover and mold killer or preventer. These days, you can also often find these products sold in a combination formula.
Mold Stain Remover
The classic mold stain remover is a product like RMR-86. This works to remove mold from whatever you are looking to clean, but it doesn’t prevent mold in the future. These products work very well for cleaning purposes, but you need to use them in combination for a lasting effect.
Mold Preventer
A mold preventer, like RMR-141, is designed to prevent mold from returning after the surface has been cleaned. These products soak into the material and prevent mold growth over the long term. It’s important to note that they won’t last forever, and you might need to re-apply them after 6 months or so.
Combination Formulas
Some products are combination products and contain both of these chemicals together. Generally, we feel combination products work well for simple applications, but if you have a large or important job – a two-part product might be more appropriate. Two-part products tend to be more effective at preventing mold returns.
Application methods
Finally, you need to briefly consider how you will apply your mold remover. Most are supplied as a pre-mixed spray. These are great for household use. For larger areas, you might consider using concentrate instead. If you do opt for concentrate, remember you might need to purchase spray equipment to apply your mixed solution.
Mold Remover Buyer’s Guide FAQs
The most popular natural way to kill mold is using distilled white vinegar in combination with baking soda. White vinegar is a mild acid, which kills approximately 82% of mold species. Baking soda is a strong alkali that can kill some of the remainders. You might also consider a natural botanical product like EC3 which is even more effective. In each case, mix the vinegar or baking soda with water and then spray it on the surface. Afterward, you can scrub and rinse the surface.
To remove mold from wood, you need a non-bleach mold remover like Concrobium Mold Control. This product contains sodium carbonate, which will chemically react with the mold and kill it. Bleach products can leave nasty stains, and do not absorb as effectively as Concrobium Mold Control.
It really depends on where the mold is located. Bleach works very well to remove mold from surfaces like tile and bathtubs. It is less effective on wood and other porous surfaces, and can, of course, damage fabrics. Vinegar is a better choice, but we’d really recommend looking at a specialist mold remover product as there are versions for every application.
In small quantities, you certainly can clean up mold yourself. If you suspect there are large numbers of mold spores in the air, or you are unsure, you should consider contacting a professional. Examples of mold you can clean yourself are outdoor mold, mold on garden furniture, mold in the shower or tub, and mold in RVs and boats. Generally, if the area is well ventilated, you should be able to clean up the mold yourself.
Although black mold is often considered to be dangerous – according to the latest research it is not considered to be a major risk to most people. Many people can experience allergic reactions and asthma from extended exposure to black mold, but little suggests it is as deadly as perhaps many people think.
