Bleach removes mold discoloration but can also remove color.

Oxygen-based bleach, peroxide, or vinegar are good alternatives.

Warning

When working with bleach, exercise caution to avoid inhaling dangerous fumes.

before and after of mold remover

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

Never combine bleach with any product containing peroxide,ammonia, or vinegar.

Brushing or shaking items when cleaning them can potentially aerosolize mold spores.

Never mix bleach with vinegar or peroxide.

Removing mold spores from clothing with a soft brush

The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

Review these recommendations for cleaning mold from a variety of surfaces.

Tile and Grout

Use bleach for tile and grout.

Be sure to take proper precautions to avoid getting bleach on any surrounding fabrics or plants.

Green shirt placed in sink and soaking in water with oxygen-based bleach solution

The Spruce / Ana Maria Stanciu

If the stain lightens or disappears after two or three minutes, it’s mildew.

The rule of thumb is to call if the mold covers 10 or more square feet.

Additional Tips to Keeping Surfaces Free of Mold

How to Prevent and Remove Mildew.

reconditioning leather shoes

​The Spruce / Ana Cadena

University of Missouri Extension.

Mold Cleanup in Your Home.

you’re free to Control Mold.

Washing machine and dispenser drawers emptied out for cleaning

The Spruce / Cristina Tudor

Cleaning inside of the refrigerator

The Spruce / Ana Cadena

clean your coffee maker out with vinegar

The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

Removing mold from tile grout

The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

All purpose cleaner poured into spoon over white bucket for solution to clean walls

The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

Nylon-bristled broom scrubbing cleaning solution on unsealed concrete patio

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

Garden hose spraying water to rinse unsealed concrete patio

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald