The 6 Best Mold Removers of 2024

Those spots of mold growing in your bathroom or kitchen aren’t just unsightly. If left untreated, mold can cause health problems and greater structural integrity issues with the home itself.

“To kill mold, we normally defer to professional remediators for large infestations (like black mold or larger areas). They will need to address underlying causes, which is usually moisture,” explains Elena Ledoux, CEO of Superb Maids.

Thankfully if you’ve noticed a small amount of mold in your space, you should be able to treat it with at-home mold removers before it turns into a bigger or recurring issue.

There are tons of mold-removing products on the market with formulas suitable for various different types of mold—but certain mold removers will be much more effective than others.

We spent hours researching mold removers currently on the market to find out which were the best at killing mold and mildew once and for all. Taking efficiency, ease of use, and price point into account, we selected the best mold removers.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Clorox Mold and Mildew Remover Spray at Amazon ($11)

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Best Budget:

Zep Mold and Mildew Stain Remover at Amazon ($20)

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Best Outdoor:

Wet & Forget Mold and Mildew Stain Remover at Amazon ($48)

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Best Bleach-Free:

Moldex Mold Killer Spray at Home Depot ($9)

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Best for Bathrooms:

Clorox Bathroom Disinfecting Cleaner at Target ($5)

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Best for Grout:

Stardrops The Pink Stuff at Amazon ($6)

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Best Overall

Clorox Mold and Mildew Remover Spray

Walgreens

View On Amazon $11 View On Target $6 View On Walmart

Our Ratings

Ease of Use

4.7/5
Effectiveness

4.6/5
Scent

3.3/5
Value

4.8/5

Why You Should Get It

This option works extremely quickly and helps to prevent mold from coming back.

Keep in Mind

The scent is very strong and can be irritating.

The Clorox Plus Tilex Mold & Mildew Remover is the best mold remover overall—and it’s expert-approved. “If the mold is superficial and on a non-porous area in the bathroom, for example, we use something like Clorox Plus Tilex Mold & Mildew Remover,” Ledoux says.

It works extremely quickly; users say you can see the mold start to dissipate on contact with the formula. It also works to prevent mold from coming back in between cleanings.

It also works to deodorize the entire surface area while whitening tiles and killing 99.9% of other common household bacteria and germs. You don’t have to put in much elbow grease in order to see results. All you really have to do is spray and wipe the suds away—no scrubbing required.

The only real downside is this option—like a lot of heavy-duty household cleaners—is very strong. The odor might be irritating if you’re sensitive to strong chemical smells and we recommend using a mask while cleaning.

Type: Spray | Size: 32 oz | Compatible Surfaces: Multi-surface

Best Budget

Zep Mold and Mildew Stain Remover

Amazon

View On Amazon $20 View On Walmart $11 View On Lowe's

Our Ratings

Ease of Use

4.1/5
Effectiveness

4.5/5
Scent

3.4/5
Value

5/5

Why You Should Get It

The formula effectively removes stuck-on stains from tile and grout, as well as taking care of mold.

Keep in Mind

You may need to use it a few times on trickier stains.

The Zep Mold & Mildew Stain Remover is the best option if you're on a budget. It will kill mold on your surfaces and also remove stains on tile or grout that other cleaners might not be able to handle—which is a huge bonus.

It’s a versatile choice that is formulated to work on a handful of common surfaces efficiently including acrylic, fiberglass, ceramic, porcelain, laminate and Corian. All you have to do is spray the surface in question, wipe it up, and rinse clean in order to see results.

Bear in mind that you may need to apply the cleaner several times on trickier, stuck-on stains in order to fully get rid of them.

Like our best overall pick, it’s extremely smelly when doing its thing. The scent doesn’t linger once it has been wiped up, but if you’re sensitive to strong chemical cleaners, you might want to wear a mask to lessen the impact.

Type: Spray | Size: 32 oz | Compatible Surfaces: Multi-surface

Best Outdoor

Wet & Forget Mold and Mildew Stain Remover

Wet and Forget Moss, Mold, Mildew, and Algae Stain Remover

Amazon

View On Amazon $48 View On Walmart $33 View On Lowe's $34

Our Ratings

Ease of Use

4/5
Effectiveness

4.2/5
Scent

3.5/5
Value

4.7/5

Why You Should Get It

This non-bleach mold remover can eliminate algae and moss, making it a nice choice for outdoor rugs or furniture.

Keep in Mind

The upfront cost is high.

Looking to remove mold from outdoor furniture? The Wet & Forget Moss, Mold, Mildew, & Algae Stain Remover Multi-Surface Cleaner is the best mold remover for outdoor use.

Not only does it work on common mold and mildew, but it’s also efficient at removing the likes of moss and algae (and associated stains), making it a nice choice for cleaning outdoor rugs as well.

The formula gets to work immediately without any elbow grease on your end and can be used on pretty much any non-porous outdoor surfaces—from siding and roofs to painted surfaces and even fabric patio umbrellas—thanks to the non-bleach formula.

You’ll want to keep in mind that the upfront cost is considerably higher than other options. But you are getting a good value—1 gallon container makes 6 gallons of cleaning fluid when combined with water.

Type: Liquid concentrate | Size: 1 gallon | Compatible Surfaces: Multi-surface

Best Bleach-Free

Moldex Mold Killer Spray

The Home Depot

View On Home Depot $9

Our Ratings

Ease of Use

4.6/5
Effectiveness

4.3/5
Scent

3.2/5
Value

4.5/5

Why You Should Get It

This cleaner both removes mold and unpleasant odors that can come with mold build-up.

Keep in Mind

It’s not quite as strong on tough stains as bleach options.

Bleach is effective at killing mold and mildew, as well as preventing future growth, but there are plenty of reasons you may want to avoid bleach in your cleaning products. Maybe you’re allergic or you have kids and pets you want to protect.

The Moldex Mold Killer is an EPA-certified solution that doesn’t include bleach, ammonia, or other harmful chemicals—but it’s just as effective as many formulas that do.

The formula works on most washable surfaces and doesn’t require any heavy scrubbing in order to see results. It also helps to neutralize the odors that can sometimes come along with mildew or mold build-up.

Some users report that it takes longer than bleach options to remove existing mold and mildew depending on how set-in the stains are, but that it’s extremely effective at preventing regrowth.

Type: Spray | Size: 32 oz | Compatible Surfaces: Multi-surface

Best for Bathrooms

Clorox Bathroom Disinfecting Cleaner

Target

View On Target $5 View On Lowe's $6 View On Home Depot $5

Our Ratings

Ease of Use

4.4/5
Effectiveness

4.7/5
Scent

4/5
Value

4.9/5

Why You Should Get It

This option doubles as a multi-surface bathroom cleaner.

Keep in Mind

The nozzle gets stuck and is easily clogged.

We love a multi-purpose formula—and that’s why the Clorox Disinfecting Bathroom Cleaner is one of best mold removers. It doubles as an all-in-one bathroom cleaner. The cleaner works on virtually all surfaces in the bathroom—from tile floors to countertops.

It’s efficient at removing stuck-on dirt and grime as well as soap scum from showers, bathtubs, and more with very little elbow grease. All you have to do is spray it onto the surface in question and wipe away with a cloth or sponge to see results.

Some users experienced issues with the spray nozzle getting stuck. The mechanical parts can malfunction and the nozzle easily becomes clogged with product which can make it annoying to spray without getting your hands dirty.

We recommend wearing rubber gloves while using this product to ensure it doesn’t get on your skin if it does leak or drip.

Type: Spray | Size: 30 oz | Compatible Surfaces: Multi-surface

Best for Grout

Stardrops The Pink Stuff

Amazon

View On Amazon $6 View On Walmart $6 View On Home Depot $6

Our Ratings

Ease of Use

4.3/5
Effectiveness

4.7/5
Scent

4.4/5
Value

4.6/5

Why You Should Get It

This paste is gentle enough to use on granite while strong enough to leave your grout sparkling new.

Keep in Mind

The 17-ounce container is smaller than other options.

Cleaning grout requires a different strategy than other surfaces—especially when it comes to mold and mildew buildup. The Pink Stuff is the best option to clean your grout.

It’s effective at removing mold and mildew but also works to remove dirt, grime, and tough stains baked into the grout. The Pink Stuff is safe for a multitude of surfaces without worrying about damage—it’s even gentle enough to use on granite without running the risk of scratches.

While it doesn't have the same intense chemical smell as other cleaning products on the list, the strong-smelling rhubarb scent is distinctive and might not be to everyone’s taste. At 17 ounces, the container is also smaller (and therefore more expensive) than other options.

Type: Paste | Size: 17.63 oz | Compatible Surfaces: Multi-surface

The Bottom Line

Clorox Plus Tilex Mold & Mildew Remover is the best overall mold remover due to its impressive efficiency and ease of use. It’s tough on mold and mildew while helping to ensure the problem doesn’t creep back up between cleanings.

What to Know About Mold Removers Before Shopping

Type

There are a handful of common mold remover types available, but the main two you’ll likely run into are liquid and paste. Liquid mold removers are much easier and less messy to use on larger surfaces, while paste-based removers require more elbow grease to rub in and remove.

Purpose

You want to select the right mold remover for your specific needs. If you’re treating a small amount of mold in your shower, for example, the Clorox Plus Tilex Mold & Mildew Remover might be your best bet. To spot-treat a patch of grout that has mold build-up, you’re better off with a paste you can rub into the surface, like The Pink Stuff.

Ease of Use

There’s no point in purchasing a mold remover that will be too difficult or frustrating to realistically use on a regular basis. We recommend opting for a liquid mold remover in a spray bottle for most people; this ensures you’ll be able to cover the area in question quickly without having to physically touch or scrub at the mold.

Ingredients

Mold removers have a variety of common ingredients. Typically you will see disinfecting bleach as the main ingredient. That said, there are natural ingredients that work to kill mold as well; if you’re looking to avoid bleach, isothiazolinone compounds are also highly effective. You can also DIY a cleaner with white vinegar and baking soda.

Compatible Surfaces

Not every mold remover is safe to use on every material—make sure you spend the time to ensure the product will work efficiently on your surface without damaging it. Most mold-removing products are “multi-surface,” but be sure to spot-test a new product before spraying it on a large area.

Some materials such as porous granite are more delicate and prone to scratches from abrasive cleaning agents. Most manufacturers will list recommended materials on the packaging or online.

Your Questions, Answered

What can you use to get rid of mold permanently?

Ledoux recommends working with professional mediators in order to get rid of mold permanently—especially if it’s taking over a large area in your bathroom.

“To kill the mold permanently the remediators will use HEPA filters, dislodge and remove mold spores, and wipe all surfaces clean,” she explains. “They should be able to re-test the air afterwards to confirm the lack of contamination.”

You can use the mold removers on our list to prevent mold and mildew from growing back after a professional cleaning.

How can you tell if you have mold or mildew?

If you can see discolored, fuzzy patches with a musty smell—it's probably mold. “A remediation company can test the air to confirm, especially if your family is experiencing allergy-like symptoms or the affected area is larger than 10 square feet,” explains Ledoux.

Who We Are

This article was written by Kaitlyn McInnis, a former lifestyle editor and freelance writer for Better Homes & Gardens. She and the testing lab researched various mold removers to find the best options online. She also consulted Elena Ledoux, CEO of Superb Maids, LLC.