Yes laundry detergent can help kill mold spores.
Most laundry detergents contain ingredients that will break down the cell walls of mold thus killing it.
However this doesn’t necessarily mean that all detergents are effective at killing mold.
It depends on the type of detergent and the concentration of the active ingredient.
A good rule of thumb is to look for detergents with at least one of these ingredients: bleach borax or oxygen-based bleach.
Bleach is a strong cleanser and can be quite effective at killing mold.
Borax is also known for its anti-fungal properties and is typically used as a cleaning agent in laundry detergent.
Oxygen-based bleach is a more natural option derived from hydrogen peroxide and other plant-based sources.
This can help to not only remove mold from clothing but also disinfect it as well.
In addition to these ingredients you can also use white vinegar to kill mold.
Vinegar is a mild acid and can be effective at killing mold spores if left on the surface for a few hours.
However it can also damage some fabrics so be sure to test a small area first.
The important thing to keep in mind is that laundry detergent alone isn’t enough to completely get rid of mold.
For best results you should also dry your clothing completely after a wash.
This will help to reduce the amount of moisture in the air which can prevent mold from growing and spreading.
All in all laundry detergent can help to kill mold spores but it’s important to remember that it’s just one part of the equation.
Make sure to also dry your clothing completely and use other methods like white vinegar for best results.
Understanding Mold
Mold is a type of fungus that can grow on surfaces in damp environments.
It’s most commonly seen in bathrooms basements and other areas with high moisture content.
It’s a nuisance and can be hard to remove.
To understand why laundry detergent may—or may not—help with mold removal it’s important to understand what’s behind the growth of mold in the first place.
Mold needs three things to grow—warmth moisture and food.
Warmth and moisture often come together but the food source is a little more complicated.
In the home mold is often feeding on dust dirt soap scum and other organic matter.
To effectively remove mold it’s important to remove the source of nutrition and that’s where laundry detergent comes in.
Mold Removal with Detergent
Laundry detergent won’t kill mold directly but it can be used to help remove it.
The surfactants in detergent act to break down grease grime and other organic matter that mold feeds on.
When used on moldy surfaces detergent can help remove the food source and make it easier to clean away the mold.
That said detergent alone won’t usually be enough to get rid of mold.
It’s important to also use a cleaner that is specifically formulated to kill mold.
There are a number of products on the market that are designed for this purpose.
It’s also important to use proper precautions when cleaning such as wearing protective gloves a face mask and goggles and to be sure to properly ventilate the room.
The Problem With Laundry Detergent
The main issue with using laundry detergent to kill mold is that it is not designed to kill mold spores.
Instead it is designed to remove dirt grease and other particles from fabrics.
So while laundry detergent may help to reduce the amount of mold in an area it will not eliminate it completely.
Alternative Solutions
If you’re looking for a more effective solution for killing mold there are several cleaning agents available that are specifically designed to kill mold.
These include bleach hydrogen peroxide and vinegar.
These products are far more effective than laundry detergent in eliminating mold growth.
The Bottom Line
So does laundry detergent kill mold? Not directly but it can help remove the food source that mold needs in order to grow.
When used in combination with a mold-killing cleaner and proper cleaning precautions it can be an effective part of a mold removal process.