Does Rubbing Alcohol Kill Mold?

Rubbing alcohol can be used to kill mold growth. However, there are several factors that can make the removal process easier or more difficult overall.

What Causes Mold?

The first key to identifying mold is knowing what exactly the growth looks like. To be clear, mold essentially grows everywhere. Mold growth comes from tiny spores that float around in the air. Mold will grow in any area that stays between 40-100 degrees. Generally, mold is most common in damp areas of homes or commercial buildings. Mildew is the easiest type of mold to identify. Its black coloring makes it unmistakable.

This substance only grows larger as time goes by, spreading into colonies. Check damp areas, including shower corners and siding for any signs of mildew growth. Don’t be passive when inspecting for mold. Its generally easy to identify but many homeowners may pass it by, assuming it is simply dirt buildup.

Mold enters the home as tiny spores, with moisture required for the spores to grow and spread. Mold growth can occur on the following materials:

• Wood.
• Paint.
• Carpet.
• Ceiling tiles.
• Insulation.
• Wallpaper.
• Sheet rock.

Does Alcohol Kill Mold?

When removing mold, alcohol can be used as an emulsifier and a drying agent, as well. This means alcohol can help in the mold removal process and can even kill some types of mold. However, this ultimately has a lower success rate than using other common mold removal products.

Any form of alcohol will work to fight mold growth, including both rubbing and denatured alcohol. Inexpensive vodka tends to be filtered less and distilled fewer times, which means it contains more congeners, such as acetaldehyde, that is more toxic than ethanol or rubbing alcohol. Because vodka has such a high, pure alcohol content, it is one of the better alcohol choices to kill mold.

Using alcohol is recommended to remove mold and mildew specifically from leather goods like furniture, jackets, and purses. Alcohol can damage some surfaces and is a flammable substance. Always exercise caution when applying alcohol.

How To Kill Mold With Alcohol

You’ll want to stick with a higher concentration when using rubbing alcohol to treat mold. When diluting the alcohol, ensure the concentration never falls below 60%. Alcohol concentration falling below 50% sees a large decrease in efficiency for sterilizing and disinfecting problem areas.

Follow these steps to treat any mold growth with alcohol:

• Pour one cup of rubbing alcohol (99% version) and 3/4 cup of distilled water into a large spray bottle.
• You will need to scale the water down if you are using a lesser concentration of rubbing alcohol.
• It’s not recommended to use less than a 70% concentration.
• Use a sponge or scrub brush to remove any surface mold.
• Spray the area once more and let it sit for at least 15 minutes. 
• Wipe away any remaining mold spores with a damp cloth/rag.

DIY Vs Professional Mold Removal

Yes, homeowners will be able to perform small remediation projects. In fact, if the infected area is 10 square feet or less, the EPA says property owners can handle the projects themselves. After the area is inspected by a professional, ask if you will be able to perform the cleanup task yourself.

The first key to identifying mold is knowing what exactly the growth looks like. To be clear, mold essentially grows everywhere. Mold growth comes from tiny spores that float around in the air. Mold will grow in any area that stays between 40-100 degrees. Generally, mold is most common in damp areas of homes or commercial buildings.

When searching for “mold remediation near me,” there’s a reason why Native Environmental LLC stands out above the rest.

Native Environmental LLC Provides Industrial Cleaning In Phoenix, Arizona