Can Pine-Sol Kill Mold? A Professional Mold Expert Answers

Looking for the silver bullet that will completely kill mold? Wondering "What about Pine-Sol? Can Pine-Sol kill mold?" You're in the right place! We're Cleaner Guys, a professional mold remediation company with more than 20 years of experience, and we can tell you all about whether Pine-Sol will work on the mold you're dealing with — and what might work better instead. Read on!

Can Pine-Sol Kill Mold?

Yes and no. Pine-Sol can be effective against some mold, in some circumstances, but it is not universally effective against all mold.

Why is Pine-Sol effective against some mold? Because it has an extremely acidic and extremely basic pH. pH is mainly what determines whether a cleaning chemical is considered "strong" or not. Both very acidic pH and very basic pH can be aggressive cleaners. Pine-Sol's main product, their Multi-Surface Cleaner, has a pH of about 2-4, which makes it very acidic, like vinegar. But it appears that another product of theirs, their All Purpose Cleaner, has a pH of around 10-11, which makes it very basic, like bleach. This makes them both very strong cleaning agents.

Does Pine-Sol Work On All Mold?

No, Pine-Sol does not work on all mold. It is an effective cleaner for mildew on hard, non-porous surfaces. However, it is not an effective cleaner for mold on drywall and other porous, organic surfaces.

This is because, while Pine-Sol is an aggressive cleaning agent, it can not penetrate all the way through a porous material, to kill all the mold buried deep under the surface.

Mildew is a shallow-rooting species of mold that only grows on the surface of hard, non-porous surfaces. This is the mold you usually see on bathtubs, showers, toilets, tile, and plastic. Mildew is easy to clean off with any common cleaning agent — including Pine-Sol, vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide — because it only grows on the surface.

Other species of mold, however, are not so easy to clean. They grow on drywall, wood, carpet, paper, and other organic or porous surfaces, and their roots reach deep, often spreading all the way through the drywall and into the wood, insulation, and wall cavities behind it. Pine-Sol can't reach all that. So what does kill mold in drywall that's growing that deep?

What Kills Mold 100%?

As experienced professional mold removers, we've found that the only 100% foolproof way to remove mold growing in drywall or wood is to remove the material itself, and replace it with new material. There is no cleaning agent that can penetrate all the way through layers of drywall, insulation, and wood, and kill all those deep layers of mold just by spraying and wiping the surface.

Warning: removal and replacement of mold-infested drywall, wood, or flooring should not be attempted by even the most experienced DIYer! Mold is often highly toxic, and needs to be handled properly and with great care to be removed successfully. Additionally, many building materials may have toxic asbestos in them, and must be tested for asbestos before being touched. This is a job for professionals.

How to Clean Mildew With Pine-Sol

To successfully clean mildew with Pine-Sol, first put on proper PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), including rubber cleaning gloves, eye protection, and an N-95 mask. Even if the area of mildew is small, we still recommend all these protective measures, because scrubbing at the mildew will release mold spores into the air, which you shouldn't touch or inhale.

Next, spray the Pine-Sol directly on the mildew, and let it sit for at least 15 minutes. This will give the Pine-Sol time to disintegrate the roots of the mildew. After the Pine-Sol has soaked, take an abrasive cleaning sponge or cleaning towel that you're willing to throw away afterward, spray or dip it in your Pine-Sol cleaner, and scrub the mildew away. Repeat these steps as necessary until the mildew is gone.

An important note: mold and mildew grow only where there is excess moisture. Check thoroughly for potential water intrusion using the signs from this guide, and follow this guide to prevent mold in your home in the future!

If you need mold removal in Western Washington State, consider Cleaner Guys as a high-quality, well-trusted option! We're known for our affordable prices, award-winning customer service, and top-notch workmanship. Call us right now at (360)757-4300 and let's talk through your mold problem!