Will Clorox wipes kill mold? The wipes don’t remove all of the mold from most surfaces. The leftover spores can also use the Clorox residue to grow, leading to a never-ending cycle of eliminating mold.
How Many Clorox Wipes Does It Take To Kill Mold?
The amount of Clorox wipes you use depends on the amount of mold in your home. You want to go over the surface at least twice to ensure the Clorox reaches all of the spores. That means at least three or four wipes per surface. The wipes tend to fall apart as you scrub, so you’ll need to use more than you think.
Today News recommends that you don’t use the wipes on multiple surfaces. When you switch from surface to surface, you could transfer germs and mold to new areas. If the mold takes root there, it’ll mean more cleaning for you in the future.
What’s the Active Ingredient in Clorox Wipes That Kills Mold?
Many people think Clorox wipes use bleach; however, they use the disinfectant known as dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride. This active ingredient is a strong disinfectant that’s in various household cleaning products.
Additionally, this chemical is known to kill growing mold. However, the ingredient doesn’t kill mold spores. If any are left behind after using the wipes, the mold is sure to return in a few days. The component can also irritate the skin, so you’ll want to wear gloves when using the wipes.
What’s the Concentration of That Ingredient in Clorox Wipes?
According to the label on Clorox wipes containers, the active ingredient makes up 0.145% of the product. While that number is minimal, the cleaner is very potent. The low concentration of dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride still allows the wipes to kill the bacteria they contact.
What’s the Ideal Concentration of the Active Ingredient in Clorox Wipes To Kill Mold?
These wipes already have the ideal concentration of dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride to kill mold. However, you’re likely to disturb the spores when cleaning. This ingredient doesn’t prevent mold, so the spores can reattach to the surface and grow again. The spores feed on the left-behind Clorox from the wipes and appear again within days.
Can You Make Your Own Clorox Wipes To Kill Mold and How?
You can make your own Clorox wipes at home to kill mold! To do this, you’ll need an airtight container, a serrated knife, and paper towels. To prepare the disinfectant mixture, you’ll need to have the following:
- Water
- Isopropyl alcohol with at least 70% concentration
- Dawn dish soap.
Here’s the process to make your disinfecting wipes at home:
- Cut the paper towel roll in half with the knife
- Put the paper towels into the container
- Mix two cups water, one cup of isopropyl alcohol, and one tablespoon of dish soap
- Pour onto the paper towel
- Allow the towels to absorb the mixture
- Remove the paper towel roll
- Take the wipes you want to use from the center
- Make sure to put the lid on!
Do Disinfecting Wipes Kill Mold?
Only specific cleaning wipes can kill mold- you’ll need to find wipes with the word “disinfectant” on the packaging. It’s best only to use EPA-registered mold and mildew disinfectants for this task. These products can also kill spores and stop the mold from returning.
Do Clorox Wipes Kill Mold Instantly?
No, Clorox wipes don’t kill mold instantly. While they remove the appearance of mold, the roots can still linger on porous surfaces. The wipes can’t reach those areas, so the mold stays behind.
Regular Clorox bleach also doesn’t kill mold immediately. Even with the bleach, you need to wait several hours for the product to have an effect. The EPA recommends that you not use bleach for mold removal often since it is harmful to breathe in.
What Wipes Kill Mold?
While Clorox wipes kill mold, many users recommend that you use Lysol wipes. As long as you don’t try to remove black mold on your own, Lysol wipes work exceptionally well. Additionally, Armor All makes wipes with killing mold in mind.
Why You Shouldn’t Use Bleach on Mold
The EPA recommends against using bleach to clean up the mold. Most types of household bleach only kill surface-level mold. The bleach doesn’t reach into porous materials to kill the roots. Plus, you’re likely to stir up the spores when you scrub the mold.
Drywall, wood, carpet, and wallpaper are all very porous. If those areas have mold growing on them, you won’t be able to use bleach effectively. Additionally, any bleach residue left behind in the pores can assist in future mold growth. Overall, it’s best not to use bleach on mold. There are other products to try, such as vinegar.
Can I Mix Bleach and Vinegar To Kill Mold?
While this mixture would effectively kill mold better than bleach alone, it’s dangerous for you to mix these materials. According to Science Notes, the ingredients create toxic chlorine gas when combined. The gas hurts your lungs and can even be fatal- so don’t mix them!
If you want to use vinegar for cleaning, make sure to use it without bleach. You can pour the vinegar into a spray bottle, then spritz it on the moldy surface. You’ll need to wait for an hour before you scrub the mold off using a thick sponge or brush.
Will Clorox Wipes Kill Mold Permanently?
No, Clorox wipes won’t permanently kill mold. According to the EPA, “background” spores and mold will remain after using the product. The wipes don’t reach deep into the surface. So, while it may appear clean, the mold is sure to return in less than a week. That means the wipes won’t offer a permanent solution.
What About Behind Drywall?
You won’t have to worry about Clorox wipes damaging your drywall since they don’t contain bleach. However, they’re still not the best product for the job. You may want to perform a spot test first to ensure the wipes don’t hurt the paint.
Drywall is a highly porous material, making it very easy for mold to spread throughout it. Unfortunately, that also means that the wipes only will clean off the surface-level mold. You’ll notice new growth in a few days- it might even come back worse than before due to the drywall.
