The 5 Best Mold Removers of 2023
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Handle with care
The Spruce / Jhett Thompson
Fact checked by Emily EstepReviewed by Melissa Homer
Mold is pernicious and invasive—in other words, it's harmful and tough to eradicate. A mold remover can be helpful in eliminating mold spores from surfaces like showers, where moisture often collects, but it won't prevent the mold from growing in the first place or even from coming back.
"If we remove [the mold], we’re actually going to keep it away as long as we repair the conditions that allowed it to grow in the first place," stresses Michael Rubino, author of The Mold Medic and founder of HomeCleanse. Meaning, if you identify and help the source of the moisture, spores have less of an environment to thrive in. It's key to remember: homes are not 100 percent sterile environments—and mold spores can always float in through open windows, too. "Mold spores land on everything all the time. The key is making sure things aren't moist and dirty, so those mold spores have nothing to eat or drink and starve before they multiply," notes Melissa Homer, cleaning expert and member of The Spruce's Cleaning Review Board.
To identify the type of mold you're finding in your home, and to create a remediation plan, it's best to call in a professional. Professionals have the expertise to help safely identify, remove, and prevent mold growth. It's especially essential to call a professional when dealing with "black mold," which actually has a slimy, green-black appearance. This type of mold, or larger areas of spores, are not a job for you and a mold remover.
You can treat small spots on your shower or a household appliance yourself, but should follow all of the noted safety guidelines on your product's label and plan to put in some elbow grease. "Any mold remover is supposed to help separate [the] mold from a surface so that you can remove it," advises Rubino. "That is the only way to utilize these products." He notes that "anything that’s designed as spray and stay or set and forget isn't going to work as intended," and adds, "it's best to thoroughly clean your home after applying a mold-removing product in order to eradicate any residual mold spores or particles that may have spread through your home's dust."
Homer also stresses the importance of finding a product that's a fungicide, which is a formula that kills mold or mildew systems at the roots. "If you don't use a fungicide, you are much more likely to get re-growth if you aren't able to keep the area bone dry," she notes. This may not be an issue for a living room or bedroom, but could easily become an issue for a bathroom that frequently deals with moisture. "In a high-risk area like bathrooms, you really need the fungicide to kill everything so it doesn't immediately start to re-grow the second you have a shower."
When cleaning tiny spots of mold in your home with a mold remover, also make sure the room you are in is well-ventilated. Wear protective eyewear, a mask, and gloves. Rubino suggests a few other guidelines for handling smaller spots of mold spores in your living space: "I would wet it first so that the particles don’t aerosolize. Wear a mask while you’re doing this to protect yourself from breathing it in. I would scrub it with a scrub brush; I would then wipe the area down with a microfiber towel to remove any residual particles. Then, use some sort of household cleaner and a microfiber towel." He tends to stick with botanical products when wiping down the rest of the space to ensure it's free of particles.
With Rubino and Homer's guidance in mind, we researched dozens of mold removers to find options for cleaning up small collections of spores and stains in your space.
Best Overall: RMR Brands RMR-141 Disinfectant and Cleaner
This powerful formula works on nearly any surface, including wood, fiberglass, concrete, and tile.
What We Like
Kills more than 120 microorganisms
Easy to apply
Fungicide, mildewstat, and virucide
What We Don't Like
Does not remove stains
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 remove mold and mildew growth with this powerful formula, that's a fungicide (kills mold or mildew at the roots), mildewstat (helps prevent re-growth of spores), and virucide (kills viruses). It comes in spray bottle or jug form. The spray bottle does provide an easier application process. Spray, and then scrub the affected area for an effective deep clean.
This is an EPA-registered removal spray, which means it's a chemical agent capable of inhibiting the growth of mildew. RMR-141 disinfectant has proven effective against more than 120 different microorganisms and will kill mold, mildew, bacteria, and more, according to the manufacturer. Its claim to fame is ammonium, an active ingredient that helps to clean the surface. Though, be aware: ammonium can be very strong odor-wise, and is extremely dangerous when mixed with bleach.
Keep in mind that this mold remover is explicitly designed to kill mold and mildew fungus that may be growing on the surface level. Despite the presence of ammonium, you will want to scrub the area and completely clean the affected room to be sure all mold spores are removed, per Rubino's guidance. Also, while we appreciate this formula's broad application potential, it is not a mold stain remover. If months or years of buildup have left lots of stains behind, you may need to use a separate product to remove the discoloration.
Price at time of publish: $27 for 2-pack
Mold Type: Not listed | Application: Spray | Cleaning Time: Instant
The Spruce / Jhett Thompson
Best Value: Mold Armor Rapid Clean Remediation
This product inhibits the growth of new spores on a wide range of solid surfaces in and out of the home.
What We Like
Visible results within 60 seconds
Non-abrasive
Large amount per package
What We Don't Like
Must purchase sprayer separately
MoldArmor Rapid Clean Remediation is a mold remover that’s safe for use on a long list of non-porous surfaces, including laminate, sealed fiberglass, acrylic, glass, sealed grout, glazed ceramic, sealed granite, and vinyl. This makes it a particularly great defense in damp or humid areas of the home, such as the bathroom, laundry room, or screened porch. It’s safe for both outdoor and indoor use, but be sure you have adequate ventilation, since the fumes of this mold remover can be powerful—similarly to the other products you'll find on this list.
The formula is a one-step sanitizer, disinfectant, and mold and mildew remover. Just spray it—you will have to purchase a trigger sprayer separately—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. If the surface you are treating is especially dirty with other debris, be sure to clean the area before applying this remover, as well as afterward.
Ultimately, this mold remover is similar to our Best Overall pick in that its formula is a fungicide, mildewstat, and virucide. It's EPA-registered, and is a great value given how much you get per package (one gallon).
Price at time of publish: $40
Mold Type: Mildew (Aspergillus niger) | Application: Spray | Cleaning Time: 1 to 10 minutes
The Spruce / Jhett Thompson
Best with Gentle Formula: Benefect Botanical Decon 30 Disinfectant Cleaner
Avoid chemicals that can cause irritation and require ventilation by picking a plant-based mold remover, like this Thymol formula.
What We Like
Can be used on porous and non-porous surfaces
Formula derived from thyme essential oil
100 percent bio-based
What We Don't Like
Must purchase sprayer separately
Not a fungicide
If you'd prefer to avoid using strong chemicals when washing away mold growth, consider the plant-based Botanical Decon 30 Disinfectant from Benefect. Unlike other mold removers that contain strong chemical agents to help clean surfaces, like ammonium, this formula does not. Botanical Decon 30 is a very gentle formula that has no chemicals or dyes present. That being said, it's not a fungicide—which means it's not designed to kill mold spores. "Benefect washes away mold spores and their food sources, so it removes a large amount of the mold and reduces mold growth," notes Homer.
While it requires no rinsing and is safe for contact with skin and food surfaces, like handles on appliances, we recommend rinsing the product away and thoroughly cleaning the exposed room, too. We also still recommend wearing protective eyewear, gloves, and a mask as you're handling this product, since you're using it to clean up mold.
This product is also registered as 100 percent bio-based by the USDA BioPreferred Program, which contributes to reducing adverse environmental and health impacts, among other initiatives. The proprietary formula uses Thymol, derived from the essential oil thyme, to produce disinfecting results. In addition, Benefect incorporates chemistry techniques to create a long-lasting surfactant system that assists in preventing the growth of mold and mildew. Similar to our Best Value pick, this formula does require the additional purchase of a sprayer for application.
Price at time of publish: $32
Mold Type: Not listed | Application: Spray | Cleaning Time: 30 seconds
Best for Stains: CLR Mold & Mildew Clear Bleach-Free Stain Remover Spray
This mold and mildew stain remover works by saturating an effected area and removing any residual staining.
What We Like
Can be applied to porous and non-porous surfaces
EPA Safer Choice product
Septic safe
What We Don't Like
Not compatible with stainless steel appliances
CLR Mold & Mildew Clear Stain Remover is a great bleach-free formula to treat any residual mold staining. It's compatible with a variety of porous and non-porous surfaces, including wood, natural stone and marble, and tile, so you don't have to worry about delicate surfaces disintegrating. (Though, the product is not compatible with stainless steel appliances.) This product is also part of the EPA's Safer Choice Program, which recognizes certain products as safer alternatives to traditional chemicals. Despite its cleaner formula, the manufacturer still recommends turning on an exhaust fan or opening windows to properly aerate a room while you're using this spray. We also still recommend taking the proper safety precautions before, during, and after since you're dealing with a chemical product and mold.
The manufacturer also claims this product works after just 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. The formula is septic safe, however it should not be mixed with other household cleaners or bleach, as the result can be quite harmful.
Price at time of publish: $7
Mold Type: Mildew (Aspergillus niger) | Application: Spray | Cleaning Time: 10 minutes
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Best for Bathrooms: Microban 24 Hour Bathroom and Sanitizing Cleaner, Citrus, 32 fl oz
Clean counters, fixtures, and showers with this product that removes soap scum while checking the growth of mold for up to seven days.
What We Like
Helps prevent mold and mildew growth for up to seven days
Easy application
Citrus scent
What We Don't Like
Will not remove stains
Not a fungicide
It’s no secret that the moist, damp conditions of the bathroom make it an ideal host for the growth of mold and mildew. However, you can prevent mold in the bathroom with the help of a targeted formula, like Microban 24-Hour Bathroom Cleaner. A force to be reckoned with, this bathroom cleaner will make hard surfaces shine, while also washing away microorganisms. Just note, this product is not a fungicide, meaning it can't kill mold spores. As a disinfectant, it can kill bacteria and viruses, and help "reduce re-growth of bacteria, viruses, and spores by starving them," over the course of time, according to Homer.
All that being said, it's proven effective against Aspergillus niger, plus this mold remover also cleans and disinfect surfaces—it contains ammonium, much like our Best Overall pick—making it a one-stop solution for keeping your bathroom free of germs. Though, we still recommend cleaning before and after using this product, and taking caution when doing so since this product should not be mixed with bleach or other cleaners.
While this formula will help growth, it also may not fully remove stains. However, we appreciate that it's easy to apply thanks to the included spray top. The label on the back of the product also instructs you how to use it for disinfecting, sanitizing, odorizing, and more. It additionally features a citrus scent.
Price at time of publish: $7
Mold Type: Mildew (Aspergillus niger) | Application: Spray | Cleaning Time: Instant
The Spruce / Jhett Thompson
The 8 Best Bathroom Cleaners of 2023
Final Verdict
For cleaning up small collections of spores in your home, our top pick is RMR Brands RMR-141 Disinfectant. This mold remover is EPA-registered, easy to apply, and can clean and disinfect surfaces on contact because it's formula is a fungicide, mildewstat, and virucide containing ammonium. However, if you're looking for something that's more gentle, opt for the Benefect Botanical Decon 30 Disinfectant Cleaner. The bio-based formula uses thyme essential oil to eliminate mold.
When Should I Call a Professional to Remove Mold?
While an effective mold remover can help you tackle mold on easy-to-clean household surfaces, where you know the source of the moisture (such as in the shower), consider mold remediation services if your efforts to clean and remove the mold aren’t successful, or if the problem quickly reappears. Additionally, a professional can help identify the type of mold you’re dealing with and formulate a treatment plan to prevent the re-growth of the mold.
Michael Rubino, author of The Mold Medic and founder of HomeCleanse notes to seek the aid of a professional if your home's drywall has been compromised, as the drywall will need to be removed. He instructs that mold will always grow back if you don't find and treat the root cause, as well. Also, while all types of mold removal should be handled with appropriate safety measures, some types of mold—particularly "black mold" (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.
When in doubt, always call in a professional to help you with your mold removal. They have the know-how to identify, treat, and help prevent spores in your home.
What to Look for in a Mold Remover
Type
There are three primary types of formulas for treating mold and mildew. Look for these terms to understand what the product can do in treating your mold problem.
Fungicide: Kills mold or mildew systems at the roots
Mildewstat: Helps prevent the re-growth of mold and mildew spores
Virucide: Kills viruses
It’s worth noting that many products are a combination of these mold remover types, including our Best Overall pick, the RMR Brands RMR-141 Disinfectant. Most homeowners will want to effectively solve the problem for good, and one of these combo formulas can certainly help. As a reminder, any mold remover application should be followed up with a thorough cleaning of the exposed room and your home. Mold removers should also not be mixed with household cleaners or bleach, especially if they contain ammonium. The result is extremely dangerous.
In addition, it's key to remember that homes are not entirely sterile environments. Understanding the root of growth problems can be helpful in starving all spores and keeping them from turning into a larger problem, though. Mold is a result of moisture, and will return if you don't create a remediation plan, even if your mold remover is equipped with a fungicide and mildewstat. A professional can help you identify the type of mold you're dealing with, and help you create a remediation plan.
Effectiveness and EPA Registration
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 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. Some of the mold removers on the market are also part of the EPA's Safer Choice Program, including our Best for Stains pick, the CLR Mold & Mildew Clear Stain Remover.
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 help prevent growth, and whether or not you take steps to prevent future moisture or humidity problems in damp areas, such as basements.
We can't stress this enough: if you remove the mold, but don't find the root of the problem and fix it, the mold will return. Working with a fungicide can additionally kill spores, and help ensure that they don't grow back right away—per advice from Melissa Homer, cleaning expert and member of The Spruce's Cleaning Review Board.
Application Method
Removing mold does require some elbow grease, even when you're dealing with small spots in your home, but choosing the right product can make application easier. Mold removers typically come in spray bottles that give thorough, uniform coverage—even in hard-to-reach areas. Every remover on our list either comes in a spray bottle or has the option to buy a separate spray top attachment.
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. However, if you're dealing with a large area of mold, then it's best to call in a professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do mold removers work?
Products designed to get rid of mold spots work by targeting the spore (or root) of the mold. (Note: this does not mean the root cause, which is moisture.) After you apply the product, most formulas require you to wait a few minutes. During this period, the product is destroying mold spores at the roots with the help of a fungicide. At the same time, other active ingredients, like ammonium in some formula, works to clean and disinfect the treated surface. Many mold removers also work to prevent growth by leaving behind an antimicrobial coating. The "prevention" part of a formula is known as a mildewstat.
No matter what 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.”
How long does it take for mold removers to work?
Many of the formulas featured in this roundup offer fast results within a few minutes. However, not all are designed to treat stains left from spores, or kill spores since they lack a fungicide. If you have a persistent mold issue, it may be best to call a professional to analyze the extent of the affected area and properly consider next steps, too. Mold is likely to return if you don't fix the root of the issue, or if you don't kill the spores completely with the help of a fungicide.
Are mold removers safe?
When used according to directions and for small spots in bathrooms or on appliances, mold removers are safe for homeowner use. However, it’s very important to take the necessary steps to keep yourself safe when cleaning.
Make sure your area has proper ventilation, and be sure to wear all personal protective equipment, such as a mask, gloves, and eyewear, while using the mold remover. You should also never mix a cleaner with another.
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 cleaner and safer home environment.
Emma Phelps revised this roundup to provide more context for each recommended product. Phelps also conducted research for this roundup by speaking with Michael Rubino. Rubino is an indoor air quality and 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." Rubino is a council-certified Mold Remediator by IICRC and ACAC and a contributing member, sponsor, and speaker for the Indoor Air Quality Association.
We further updated this roundup to include insight from Melissa Homer, cleaning expert and The Spruce's Cleaning Review Board member, on fungicides and the root of mold issues.
Read Next: The 7 Best Mildew Removers of 2023
