A Guide to the Best Mold Cleaners for Any Problem
These are the best mold cleaners to tackle any problem, plus everything else you need to know to get rid of mold and mildew once and for all.
Written by Annette Maxon
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
Mold and mildew can form nearly anywhere on your property. However, not all mold problems are covered by homeowners insurance, making this a basic DIY project that requires nothing more than a reliable mold remover.
One of the last things you want in your house is mold. Whether you spotted it in your shower or behind a kitchen cabinet, this common house problem can start anywhere, sometimes bringing a foul odor with it.
For the most part, ridding your house of mold is an easy DIY project that can be tackled with the right mold killer solution. That’s why
Jerry
, the car
and homeowners insurance
broker and super app
, created this guide to help you find the best mold cleaner for every problem. Plus, we go over the different types of mold and how to know if your problem requires professional help. RECOMMENDED
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Best mold removers for every problem
A walk down the aisle of any hardware store will tell you that there are hundreds of mold removers to choose from. With so many options, it is hard to know which one is the best for your situation. That’s why we rounded up a list of the best mold removers for any problem.
Best overall: RMR-86 Instant Mold and Mildew Stain Remover Spray
Available from
Amazon
Good for dealing with black mold and mildew, this overall winner uses a spray applicator to get a wide and even coverage.
The pros:
- Works immediately—this remover can have most mold stains gone in 15 minutes
- Does not require any extra scrubbing
- Eliminates odors as it works
The cons:
- Though it works miracles, this option is not FDA-approved
- For the price, each product contains only a small amount of product
Best budget-friendly option: DuPont Mold & Mildew Stain Remover
Available from
Amazon
Friendlier on the wallet but still effective for almost all situations, especially if tackling mold or mildew. Plus, the spray applicator makes this option easy to use.
The pros:
- Safe to use on countertops, tiles, floors, stone, glass, porcelain, and more
- Fresh scent
- Cleans instantly
The cons:
- The product should only be used in rooms with good ventilation
- Expect some scrubbing for tough cleaning jobs
Best for wood: Concrobium Mold Control Household Cleaners
Available from
Amazon
If you have mold or mildew growing on wood, this option from Concrobium is a good option. Plus, the solution even removes musty odors. Spray application is suggested, however, and you will need to buy the spray applicator separately.
The pros:
- Quick-working
- Free from ammonia and VOCs
The cons:
- The spray bottle or applicator is not included
- Pricey—expect to pay $38 or more
MORE: Does renters insurance cover mold?
Best for showers and bathrooms: Wet & Forget Shower Cleaner
Wet & Forget Shower Cleaner
Since mold and mildew tend to favor high-moisture areas (think: your bathroom and shower), this option is designed to keep your bathrooms mold-free for up to twelve weeks. Apply the solution over the infected area using the spray applicator. What’s more, this comes in a half-gallon bottle so you will have enough product to keep your space clean for years.
The pros:
- Comes with the spray nozzle applicator
- Safe to use in showers
- Keeps areas clean of mold and mildew for 12 weeks
- Affordable
The cons:
- Requires that you rinse the area after each use
- The product should not be left on surfaces for more than 24 hours
Best for concrete: 30 SECONDS Cleaners 6430S 3PA
Available from
Home Depot
If you have mold, mildew, moss, or algae appearing on your concrete patio, look no further for a solution. This solution is safe to use on any concrete surface outdoors. Plus, the spray applicator gives you an easy way to tackle the entire area.
The pros:
- Includes garden hose attachment
- No additional scrubbing will be needed
- Works on all outdoor concrete
- Safe to use near grass and plants
The cons:
- The 64-ounce jug can be heavy to carry while using
Best for vinyl siding: Mold Armor Cleaner
Available from
Home Depot
If mold or mildew has appeared on your house’s vinyl siding, this Mold Armor Cleaner is an effective choice for tackling the problem. Packaged with a spray applicator, this option is especially good at treating large areas.
The pros:
- Comes as a pack of six 64-ounce jugs
- Treats stains in addition to mold
- Safe to use on vinyl, aluminum, wood siding, brick, stucco, concrete, decks, and fences
The cons:
- Pricey—expect to pay around $60 for a case
- You may need to do some additional scrubbing to get rid of stubborn stains
MORE: How to settle into a new house
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Best for carpet: RMR-141 Disinfectant Spray Cleaner
Available from
Amazon
If your carpet is the problem, this solution is applied using a spray applicator to tackle mold, bacteria, odors, and viruses. Plus, it will disinfect the area as it works!
The pros:
- Simultaneously cleans and disinfects
- Free from bleach and ammonia
- Affordable price point
- Cleans the area almost instantly
The cons:
- May not remove tough carpet stains (you’ll likely need to purchase an additional carpet remover product to treat stains)
- Is not an FDA-approved product
Best for walls: Professional Disinfecting Mildew, Virus & Mold Killer
When your walls are the problem area, grab this solution to tackle mold, mildew, and viruses. Plus, the spray application makes it easy and effective for treating large areas.
The pros:
- Commercial-grade strength to treat even the toughest mold and mildew problems
- This option offers a large quantity for your dollar—you will get a one-gallon jug
- No extra scrubbing will be needed
- Works almost instantly
The cons:
- The formula must be diluted before use
- The spray bottle is not included
Best for outdoors: Oxy Solve Total Outdoor Pressure Washer Cleaner
Maybe mold and mildew have appeared in your backyard. If so, this Oxy solution does an effective job at removing the problem. Keep in mind that you’ll need a power washer to apply the solution.
The pros:
- Good for heavy-duty outdoor cleaning projects
- Works on a range of surfaces including concrete, wood, composites, vinyl, metal, fabrics, brick, stone, asphalt, and more!
- The formula is 100 percent biodegradable, making it safe to use near plants and grass
- Packaged in a large quantity
The cons:
- The solution is not FDA-approved
- Requires a power washer
What to think about when choosing the best mold sprays
Here are some of the most important things to consider before spending when choosing the right mold spray for your problem.
Type of mold remover spray
The type of mold remover sprays you need can vary depending on the problem you have.
There are two basic types of mold removers to look for:
- Fungicide will kill the mold and/or mildew system at the roots
- Mildewstat is used preventively to stop the regrowth of mold and mildew spores
But it is typically not a question of which one you choose—many mold remover products often combine these two chemicals. When selecting your spray, look for a combo to effectively keep your problem from coming back.
Effectiveness
No one wants to buy a product that doesn’t work! To make sure this doesn’t happen, look at the product’s container to see whether it is EPA-registered. The EPA certification indicates that the product has been tested and registered as a fungicide or mildewstat.
Where did you find the mold?
Where you find the mold may impact how you choose to deal with the problem. Mold found on curtains or other fabrics can often be cleaned by throwing them in the washing machine with a suitable mold remover
For easy-to-reach external surfaces (i.e. the house’s siding), all you need is some elbow grease and your mold remover spray to remedy the problem.
But when it comes to difficult-to-reach locations, like beneath a kitchen cabinet or even in your home’s drywall, insulation, and other paper-faced surfaces, you likely have a tougher problem on your hands. To remove mold from locations like this may require removing any external surfaces (think: cabinet doors, drywall, etc.) to treat the infected cavity behind it.
MORE: Does home insurance cover flooded basements?
What type of mold is it?
For the most part, nearly all common molds can be handled with a mold remover spray.
It’s only black mold that provides a different problem—this toxic mold is especially harmful if breathed in. Keep an eye out for black mold in areas that receive consistent moisture (i.e. showers and bathrooms). If you spot the beginning of black mold, it’s best to tackle it sooner than later because it spreads quickly.
Another telltale sign of this type of mold is its mildew-like smell or slimy texture. Because this type of mold is toxic, your best option is to call in the pros who have the gear to safely deal with it.
Application
For indoor mold, most mold removers come in spray bottles to help you get thorough and uniform coverage, even in tough-to-reach spots.
Know that some indoor solutions require scrubbing after application—if the mold is in a hard-to-reach spot like above a showerhead or beneath a kitchen cabinet, you may want to avoid these solutions and opt for a spray that requires no elbow grease.
When your mold is outside, you’ll likely need a more concentrated product that can be diluted to tackle your area. Mold removers that are formulated specifically for the outdoors typically come in bottles that can be attached to a gardening house, making the application even faster.
Does home insurance cover mold?
It depends—if the mold or mildew was caused by one of the perils named in your insurance policy, then yes! These insured events can range from water damage caused by a malfunctioned appliance to a burst pipe and damage caused by extinguishing a fire.
Most policies will only cover the costs to repair the resulting water or mold damage—if a new appliance is needed, be prepared to pay for the appliance replacements yourself.
Some policies also have a cap on the amount of mold removal they’ll cover. So, you may need to pay some of the costs out-of-pocket.
Regardless of whether you’re facing a mold issue, homeowners insurance is important to have to make sure your house will be taken care of in an unexpected disaster. If you don’t have
home insurance
, Jerry is a good place to start. A licensed broker,
Jerry
does all the hard work of finding cheap quotes from the top name-brand insurance companies and buying new car insurance. Jerry will even help you cancel your old policy.And to ensure you always have the lowest rate, Jerry will send you new quotes every time your policy comes up for renewal, so you’re always getting the coverage you want at the best price. This level of service is why Jerry earned a 4.6/5 rating on the App Store and made it the top insurance app in the country.
“Jerrywas wonderful! I used it for my auto and renters policies. I trusted it so much that I signed up my homeowners insurance under Jerry as well. All of the agents are amazingly nice and knowledgeable.” —Mary Y.
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What kills mold instantly?
Several products kill mold instantly—if you’re looking for a good all-purpose product, RMR-86 Instant Mold and Mildew Stain Remover Spray or DuPont Mold & Mildew Stain Remover will get rid of mold instantly.
Depending on where the mold is located and the exact problem, the type of mold remover you’ll want can vary by application type and intended use.
What shouldn’t be used to clean mold?
Bleach should never be used to clean mold, no matter the type of surface it is growing on. Not only is using bleach as a treatment in your house dangerous to your health, but it may contribute to mold growth instead of killing it.
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