How to get rid of mold, according to experts

The bathroom is perhaps one of the most unpleasant areas in the house when it comes to cleaning. Whether it's cleaning the toilet bowl, scrubbing tiles, or removing hair from around a drain, the bathroom is a hub for annoying messes. Still, it can be worth cleaning your bathroom regularly to ensure your home is free of odors, dirt, and mold. To maintain a clean home, it's important to learn how to remove mold and prevent it in the future.

With that in mind, I spoke to several cleaning experts, including the owner of a cleaning service brand and the founder of an online cleaning brand, to get some advice and product recommendations for the best method for mold removal.

JUMP FORWARD What is mold? | How to get rid of mold | The best products for removing mold | Why trust NBC Select?

The best products for removing mold

The products listed below are either direct recommendations from our experts or have at least an average 4-star rating from 500 or more reviews on Amazon.

What is mold?

Mold is a type of fungus that can grow both indoors and outdoors, especially in very humid and moist environments where there is a lot of water and dirt, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). While mold is considered a naturally occurring process, mold that forms indoors is considered a form of dirt and is usually a sign of inadequate ventilation. “Mold in the home is mainly caused by excess moisture, which can come from leaky pipes, high humidity or condensation, especially in bathrooms and kitchens,” says Jennifer Rodriguez, head of hygiene at ProHousekeepers.

Although there are different types of mold, Rodriguez says the types of mold you're likely to see in your home typically appear as black or green patches that grow and spread. Black mold, for example, is common and potentially dangerous. People also often confuse mold with mildew, which has similar causes and looks white or gray.

How to get rid of mold

There are various products and methods you can use to thoroughly remove mold from your home. Here's how our experts do it.

1. First, take some time to figure out if it is actually mold. Many people confuse mildew or other types of dirt with mold. Knowing what type of dirt you are dealing with will help you be most effective in your cleaning method.
2. Get a pair of cleaning gloves, a mask, and eye protection to protect yourself from harsh chemicals like bleach or strong-smelling cleaning sprays. You should also consider a stiff cleaning brush for scrubbing.
3. To clean, you can use household bleach or a bleach-based cleaning spray like Scrubbing Bubbles Foaming Bleach Spray. You can also make it yourself and use hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, tea tree oil and baking soda. There are also mold and mildew remover sprays like Rmr-86 Instant Mold and Mildew Stain Remover, Zep Mold & Mildew Stain Remover or Clr Mold & Mildew Stain Remover.
4. If you use bleach like Clorox, do not mix or use it with other cleaning products.especially white vinegar, as it produces toxic fumes that can affect your respiratory system and eyes. Also, dilute the bleach with water and pour it into a spray bottle for application.
5. Spray the cleaning solution directly onto the mold stains, such as on a shower curtain, bathtub or tiles. Use the brush to thoroughly scrub the stains and the entire surface. For small areas or crevices, use a thin brush or toothbrush. Allow the mixture to sit for a few minutes before rinsing and repeating the process if necessary. Allow to air dry.
6. In addition to cleaning, you should make sure your bathroom (or other mold-prone area) has adequate ventilation. You can do this by opening a window, turning on a fan or air conditioner, and/or manually drying surfaces with a microfiber cloth.

What is the difference between mold and mildew?

Mold and mildew are easily confused, especially because many cleaning sprays are advertised as being effective against both. However, there are visible differences between the two. “Mold is usually black, green or gray and has a furry or slimy texture. Mildew, on the other hand, is usually white or gray and powdery,” says Melissa Maker, founder of cleaning website Clean My Space. “Mold tends to penetrate surfaces, while mildew usually stays on the surface.”

What types of mold are there?

Although there are several types of mold, the types of mold you're likely to see in your home typically appear as black or green spots that grow and spread, according to Rodriguez. They often develop around bathtubs, shower curtains, grout, and bathroom ceilings. Black mold, for example, is potentially dangerous, according to Rodriguez. Other types of mold include Aspergillus, Cladosporium, and Penicillium, all of which have a dark green and powdery appearance. They sometimes appear on moldy foods.

Can mold make you sick?

In many cases, mold in the home is manageable and treatable. However, if left untreated, black mold can affect your respiratory system and cause allergies or health problems, says Courtney Walsh, an expert at cleaning service Homeaglow. “In terms of health risks, mold spores can cause allergic reactions, asthma attacks, and other respiratory problems. People with underlying medical conditions are at the highest risk of developing symptoms,” she says. “In addition, certain molds, such as black mold (Stachybotrys chartarum), produce mycotoxins that can cause serious health problems, including chronic fatigue, headaches, and neurological problems.”

Additionally, according to Walsh and Rodriguez, mold can affect both the structural integrity and quality of your home. “Structural risks of mold growth in the bathroom include mold cultures invading walls, ceilings and floors and weakening them by decomposing the organic materials – potentially creating a hazardous environment that can be costly to repair,” she says.

Does bleach kill mold?

Yes, bleach can help remove mold, but only on nonporous surfaces (like glass, metal, and some tiles), according to Maker. Bleach isn't as effective when cleaning porous surfaces like wood. Still, you should use it carefully and take steps afterward to make sure the mold is eliminated. “Mix one cup of bleach with one gallon of water, apply, and scrub,” Maker says. “Afterward, disinfect the brush to kill any mold spores.” Finally, make sure the area is well-ventilated so the moisture can dry and the fumes can escape.

Meet our experts

At NBC Select, we work with experts who have expertise and authority based on their relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are independent and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

• Melissa-Maker is founder of the cleaning website Clean My Space and author of Clean My Space: The secret to better and faster cleaning and daily enjoyment of your home.
• Jennifer Rodriguez is head of hygiene at the household cleaning company ProHousekeepers.
• Courtney Walsh is a cleaning expert at the household cleaning company Homeaglow.

Why trust NBC Select?

I'm a trade editor at NBC Select and regularly report on cleaning-related content and interview cleaning experts. I've covered topics such as how to clean a mattress, window air conditioners, coffee makers, and reusable water bottles.