Is Bleach Effective in Killing Molds?
Bleach is ineffective in killing mold on porous surfaces such as building materials, carpeting, and padding. “While bleach is often recommended for remediation of surface mold on wood, our [university research study] results illustrate that the treatment does not eliminate the surface microflora,” is the conclusion of the Oregon State University study of the effects of chlorine bleach on mold growth on Douglas fir wood [an important timber crop in the state of Oregon]. The research study was conducted by Professor Jeffrey Morrell, Dept. of Wood Science, Oregon State Univ., as assisted by Adam Taylor [graduate research assistant] and Camille Freitag [Senior Research Assoc.], Forest Products Journal, 54:4, 2004.
