Does Boiling Water Kill Mold?

This article discusses if boiling water can kill mold. It is a widespread idea that washing dishes with boiling water or washing clothes with hot water can kill germs and bacteria. Some believed that boiling water can even kill mold. How true is this? To understand more, we have gathered data regarding how effective hot water is when it comes to killing mold. Check out the rest of the article for more tips and information.

Does boiling water kill mold? Most molds are killed at a temperature of 60 to 70 degrees Celsius. Hence, boiling water is generally enough to kill mold. On the other hand, take note that molds do not only grow on the surface and heat needs to penetrate whatever the mold is growing to effectively kill it.

A common concern of homeowners when maintaining their homes is mold. Molds can grow in many places and it can be a challenge to get rid of them. Does boiling water kill mold on dishes? How about on metal? What temperature can effectively kill mold? Find out the answers to these questions below.

Is Mold Killed by Boiling?

Most molds are sensitive to heat and can be killed by heat treatments at temperatures of 60 to 70 degrees Celsius. Molds can also be killed by extreme cold. On the other hand, if you need to get rid of mold on your items, it is ideal to use the heat treatment as compared to the extreme cold treatment. The reason for this is that spores will only lay dormant in cold temperatures until warmth thaws them back out again.

You can boil items in your home that are infested with molds like clothes, dishes, and plastics. However, if the growth of mold is widespread, it is best to contact a professional mold cleaning service to get rid of the problem once and for all.

Does Boiling Water Kill Molds on Clothes?

Boiling water will not remove the molds fully and you will need to use bleach or other high-quality cleaning agents. When using bleach, mix it with water and spray it on the clothes until it is thoroughly covered. Next, use hot water to wash the clothes. It is recommended to wash and dry the clothes at least twice for the best results.

Does Boiling Water Kill Molds on Dishes?

Boiling water can effectively kill molds on dishes. First, you should remove as much mold as possible from the dishes by scraping them off with a soft-bristle brush. Next, place the dishes in a bucket full of hot water for at least 15 minutes. Drain the water and wash the dishes properly using soap. Dry the dishes before placing them in their original place.

Does Boiling Water Kill Molds on Metal?

Boiling water can be used to kill molds on metal. Take any mold-infested metal container that you have and soak them in boiling water. Leave it overnight for the best results. Next, wash them vigorously with soap to remove any stain left. Make sure to dry them before storing them.

Can Mold be Killed by Heat?

Temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius can kill most molds but the exact temperature needed to get rid of specific species is not established. Below are some of the ways to get kill mold using heat or cold treatments.

Killing Mold with Heater

Using a heater can lessen mold in the house because high temperature provides warmth and reduce humidity. The heat produced by the central heater can reduce humidity but will not directly kill mold. To get rid of the mold, wait for it to dry and clean the area by spraying white vinegar solution. Let the solution sit for 15 minutes before scrubbing. Next, wipe the area with detergent, rinse, and dry.

Killing Mold Using Freezer

Another alternative to kill mold is to use the freezer because the extreme cold can also prevent mold from growing. Wrap the mold-infested object with a Ziploc or plastic and keep it in the freezer for 4 to 5 hours. Next, wash the object under running water and brush off the mold. Dry the object under the sun before storing it.

Killing Mold with Dryer

You can use the dryer as effective heat treatment for getting rid of mold. If you have moldy clothes, sheets, and other fabrics, you can toss them in the dryer. Set the temperature to dry setting and wait for 20 minutes. Once it is warmed, take it out of the dryer and handwash it with the use of a brush and mild detergent to get rid of the mold.

Can Mold Dry Out and Die?

Molds do not simply dry out and die. Without the presence of moisture, they remain inactive. However, this means that they can still go back and multiply as soon as they are exposed to any source of moisture.

How to Prevent Molds Inside Your Home

Maintain Cleanliness

Make sure that your house is clean at all times. Molds need moisture to grow and once it is exposed to moisture, it can grow on many surfaces inside the house. Regular cleaning and maintenance are required to prevent mold from growing.

Control Humidity

Controlling humidity inside your home is important since molds thrive in moisture. Regardless moisture is coming from the outside air or from inside the house, it is important to lessen the amount that remains inside your home. To do this, make sure that fans in the bathroom and kitchen and properly functioning. Wipe away moisture on the ceiling or walls. You can also invest in a dehumidifier.

Temperature Control

A temperature of between 77 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit is needed for the mold to grow. See to it that you keep the temperature inside the house lower most especially during the summer season. Setting the thermostat to the 70s can prevent the growth of mold.

Proper Air Circulation

Keep in mind that stagnant air can cause mold. To prevent this, make sure that the air inside your home is properly circulating. Keep all the vents open for even for rooms that you do not frequently use. You can also check out this article titled, how do you keep bath mats from getting moldy? We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic.

✅ Video – How to Prevent Mold in The Home

Home Remodeling and Modern Interior Design shared the video below on YouTube. It talks about how to prevent mold in the home. Mold problems can be hard to fix and can produce irritants, toxins, and allergens that can compromise health. This is why it is important to prevent it. Check out the video below for more tips and information.

How to Get Rid of Mold?

You can use other alternatives to get rid of mold-like baking soda, bleach, and vinegar solution. These things will effectively get rid of the mold on the surfaces of your house.

Baking Soda

Add ¼ tablespoon of baking soda into a spray bottle of water and use it to spray on the moldy area. Use a scrub to remove the molds on the surfaces. Rinse the surface with water and spray the area again but this time, do not wipe the baking soda from the surface. This will kill any mold that is left and will prevent them from returning.

Bleach

Using bleach solution on the affected surfaces will also kill mold. Mix one cup of bleach to a gallon of water. Apply it on the surface without rinsing it off. Adding a bit of dish soap into the bleach mixture can also help penetrate porous surfaces like grout.

Vinegar

When using white vinegar to remove mold, do not add water as it can make it less effective. Pour undiluted white vinegar into a spray bottle and spray it on the mold surface. Leave it for an hour before wiping the surface with water and allowing it to dry.

Conclusion

You have reached the end of this article that discusses if boiling water kills mold. We have learned that mold thrives at certain temperatures and that boiling water can help kill them. Also, we have learned that baking soda, bleach, and vinegar can be used in cleaning and getting rid of mold. To prevent the growth of mold inside the house, you need to maintain temperature and make sure that there is no moisture present wherein molds can grow. Thank you for reading!

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