The Best Mold and Mildew Eliminators
Mold and mildew can grow in many different places, and figuring out the best product to use on surfaces like wood, fabric or concrete can be confusing. When choosing a mold eliminator, look for a product that is safe for the material type in need of cleaning.
Best Organic Mold and Mildew Remover
This concentrated cleaner is formulated for use with a pressure washer, but also works with a sponge or scrub brush for smaller areas or more fragile surfaces. And Simple Green Oxy Solve Total Outdoor meets the requirements for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safer Choice Standard list of products.
Best for Shower
Scrubbing tile and grout is a tedious job, which is why no-scrub X-14 Mildew Stain Remover is so great for cleaning bathrooms. Simply spray it on areas that have developed mold, mildew or Serratia marcescens (the pinkish-orangish bacteria often found around shower, tub and sink drains) and let it do the work. X-14 Mildew Stain Remover can be used on grout, tile, vinyl, and plastic surfaces.
Best for Fabric
While liquid chlorine bleach can remove mold and mildew from fabrics, it’s overly harsh and can lead to color loss. Engleside Restoration Fabric Cleaner is a gentle, odor-free stain remover that’s safe for almost any textile, including delicates like baby clothes or handmade quilts.
Best for Wood
A mold colony that sits atop wood can be vacuumed (be sure you have a HEPA filter). But if the mold penetrated the wood, you’ll need something stronger to kill the spores. RMR-86 Instant Mold Stain & Mildew Stain Remover is a no-scrub formula, a good choice for wood that a scrub sponge or a brush might damage.
Best for Concrete
This pressure washer-compatible concentrated concrete cleaner will eliminate mold, mildew and algae. It also works on common concrete stains like oil and grease. Besides concrete, Krud Kutter Concrete & Driveway is safe for brick, masonry and asphalt. And because it’s biodegradable and non-toxic, it won’t damage plants, grass or landscaping features like pavers and rocks.
Best for Roof
When choosing a mold remover for your roof, look for a product that’s safe for your roofing type. Mold Armor E-Z House Wash is safe for most roofing materials, as well as vinyl, aluminum and wood siding, brick, stucco and concrete. It can also be used to clean painted trim, decks and fences. Apply with a garden or tank sprayer, which are sold separately.
Best for Outdoor
For outdoor use, look for a bleach-free mold and mildew remover. Diluted liquid chlorine bleach removes mold from concrete, brick, stucco and other outdoor materials, but the run-off may damage plants and landscaping features. Wet & Forget No Scrub Outdoor Cleaner is a ready-to-use “spray and leave” formula that doesn’t require scrubbing. The attached sprayer covers a 60 to 180 sq. ft. area.
Best Overall
Bleach is the most readily available, cost-effective and multi-purpose mold and mildew remover you can find. Liquid Chlorine Bleach has drawbacks — possible color loss in fabrics, and runoff that could damage to plants and landscaping features — but its versatility and effectiveness can’t be beaten.