With Rubino’s guidance in mind, we’ve researched dozens of mold removers, evaluating the effectiveness, formula type, and ease of use. Our best overall pick, the RMR Brands RMR-141 Disinfectant, has a potent formula that’s safe, effective, and suitable for use on porous and non-porous surfaces. Here are the best mold removers on the market. RMR-141 Disinfectant and Cleaner is our top pick because it works on nearly any surface, making it an excellent product for the price. It’s easy to stop mold and mildew growth with this powerful, effective formula that comes in spray bottle or jug form. Spray and scrub the affected area for an effective deep clean. This is an EPA-registered mildew spray, which means it’s a chemical agent capable of inhibiting the growth of mildew. RMR-141 disinfectant has proven effective against 141 different microorganisms and will kill mold, mildew, bacteria, and more. Its claim to fame is its ability to clean, disinfect, and deodorize any surface with its active ingredient, ammonium. Keep in mind that this mold remover is explicitly designed to kill mold and mildew fungus that may be growing on the surface level. You’ll want to scrub the area and completely clean the affected room to be sure all mold spores are removed. Keep in mind that this product is not a mold stain remover. If months or years of mold and mildew buildup have left behind black or green staining, you may need to use a separate product to remove the discoloration. After removing the staining, use this product to clean the surface and prevent future growth. Price at time of publish: $30 The formula is a one-step sanitizer, disinfectant, and mold and mildew remover. Just spray it on the surface that needs to be treated, follow the directions for wait time depending on your application use, and then rinse and scrub it away. This makes it easy to deal with your existing mold and mildew problems, while reducing future growth. Price at time of publish: $40 At the same time, this product proves effective in the war against mold and mildew. It’s registered with the EPA as a mildewstat and fungicidal product, and also kills bacteria and viruses. The proprietary formula uses Thymol, derived from the essential oil thyme, to produce results. In addition, Benefect incorporates chemistry techniques to create a long-lasting surfactant system that assists in preventing the growth of mold and mildew. Price at time of publish: $40 Proven effective against Aspergillus niger, this mold remover also serves to clean and disinfect surfaces—making it a one-step solution for keeping your bathroom free of fungus, bacteria, and viruses. After deep cleaning any surfaces currently affected by mold or mild, apply the EPA-registered Microban 24 every seven days to prevent future mold growth. Price at time of publish: $5 The manufacturer claims this product works when you saturate the stain area and allow it to sit for 10 minutes. Afterward, you can wipe the area clean with a dry cloth. If you’re treating a mold stain that you’ve never cleaned before, we recommend cleaning the entire room where that stain is, just to ensure that any residual spores have been cleared from the area. Price at time of publish: $11
Fungicide: Kills mold or mildew systems at the rootsMildewstat: Prevents the regrowth of mold and mildew spores
It’s worth noting that many products are a combination of these two mold remover types, which is what most homeowners will want to effectively solve the problem for good.
Effectiveness
One way to determine a product’s effectiveness is to check that it is EPA-registered (you can search for the product on the site). The bottle or container should also be marked with an EPA registration number as proof that it has been tested and registered with the EPA as a fungicide or mildewstat. Whether or not the mold returns depends on how well you follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use, whether or not the product includes treatment to prevent future mold growth, and whether or not you take steps to prevent future moisture or humidity problems in damp areas, such as basements. “We don’t want to actually kill mold, we want to just remove it,” says Michael Rubino, author of The Mold Medic and founder of HomeCleanse. “If we remove it, we’re actually going to keep it away, as long as we repair the conditions that allowed it to grow in the first place.”
Application Method
Removing mold or mildew may sound like a tough task, but choosing the right product can make application easier. For indoor applications, many mold removers come in spray bottles that give thorough, uniform coverage—even in hard-to-reach areas. Take note of whether or not the product you choose requires scrubbing after application. In overhead areas, like above a shower, this could be more challenging and you may find it easier to look for a product that requires no elbow grease. Outdoor mold or mildew may require a more concentrated product that can be diluted to cover many square feet of siding, decking, or other materials. Some outdoor mold removers come in bottles that are ready to be attached to your garden hose for faster, even application.
Why Trust The Spruce?
With experience researching the latest solutions in home organization and cleaning for The Spruce, Erica Puisis is well-versed in the brands and products that make a difference in your home. Having tackled her own fair share of trouble spots and mildew issues around the house, she’s always on the lookout for safe, effective products that make it quicker and easier to maintain a clean and safe environment. No matter what type of mold remover you purchase, you should always thoroughly clean a room that has been exposed to mold after properly removing the growth. “As long as that organism [mold] has been there, it’s been producing all these particles and they’re still in our environment,” says Rubino. “That’s why it’s important to remove the mold and then clean the home—remove all the dust, because that dust is going to contain these particles that can still get inside the body even after that mold is gone.” While all types of mold removal should be handled with appropriate safety measures, some types of mold—particularly “black mold” (known as Stachybotrys chartarum)—require professional remediation. This slimy green-black mold typically grows on porous materials like drywall, gypsum board, or wood. Its spores are particularly easy to inhale and can cause respiratory problems and illness. You might also consider mold remediation services if your efforts to clean and remove the mold aren’t successful or the problem quickly reappears. A professional can help to identify the type of mold you’re dealing with and formulate a treatment plan to prevent the re-growth of the mold. Emma Phelps also conducted research for this roundup by speaking with Michael Rubino. Rubino is an indoor air quality and toxic mold expert, the author of The Mold Medic, and the founder of HomeCleanse, “a revolutionary company with the vision to end the worldwide health epidemic caused by poor air quality and toxic indoor environments.” Michael is a council-certified Mold Remediator by IICRC and ACAC and a contributing member, sponsor, and speaker for the Indoor Air Quality Association.
