Mold can be a serious health hazard. The CDC reports that mold exposure has been linked to the development of allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory problems.
In addition to being dangerous for your health, mold is also difficult to get rid of because it thrives in areas with high humidity or moisture like bathrooms and basements. If you are wondering if led light kills mold then this blog post will answer that question.
So does Led light kill mold? Yes, led light can kill mold. Led lights with a color temperature around 5000k and above emit a high amount of light in the blue spectrum. This type of led light is great for killing mold because it also emits a high amount of ultraviolet (UV) light. The combination of a high amount of blue light and a significant amount of UV radiation is the perfect recipe for killing mold.
What Is Mold And Why Does It Grow
Mold is a fungus that thrives in moist and humid environments. It grows on surfaces where there is excessive moisture whether it be from leaks, spills, condensation, or just high humidity levels.
Mold spores enter the air and then attach to any surface they come into contact with including fabrics like clothes and upholstery as well as porous materials like wood, drywall, and concrete.
The spores latch onto the surface where they wait until conditions are just right for them to go into “reproduction mode” and make more mold.
If you are thinking how do I know if I have mold in my home then you should look for these signs:
- Stains on walls, ceilings, and floors.
- The musty or earthy smell in a room with no access to the outdoors.
- Spores or “dust” on surfaces, especially near windows and doors.
- Peeling paint in a room with no access to the outdoors.
- Water stains on ceilings and walls with no apparent source for moisture.
Mold Removal Methods
There are a few different ways that you can remove mold from your home.
One of the most common methods is to use bleach which many people think kills mold. All it really does is lighten the color of the mold leaving behind a white powdery substance that can be easily wiped away.
While bleach can be effective in killing mold it also presents a number of problems.
Bleach is toxic and corrosive which means that if you spill some on your clothing, skin, or furniture it can cause damage to the material.
In addition, bleach doesn’t work well on porous materials like wood and drywall because it can penetrate the surface and cause discoloration.
A better option is to use a cleaning solution like Borax, vinegar, or baking soda which can be used on any.
Another method that is commonly used to get rid of mold is vinegar which kills 82% of molds in 24 hours.
Led Lights And How It Kills Mold
- Led Lights Above 5000K Can Kill Mold Due To High Levels Of UV Light
Led lights with a color temperature around 5000k and above emit a high amount of light in the blue spectrum. This type of led light is great for killing mold because it also emits a high amount of ultraviolet (UV) light.
The combination of a high amount of blue light and a significant amount of UV radiation is the perfect recipe for killing mold.
What’s great about this is that the blue light doesn’t affect humans or pets and is completely safe to use in your home. Also, the UV can prevent the mold from spreading as it can kill the spores that may be floating around.
Using led lights is a good way to help you prevent mold and if your home already has molded you can kill it by using led light.
You should have your lights installed in an area where mold is most likely to grow like the bathroom or kitchen. Led lights that are installed in these areas will emit the right type of light to kill mold and prevent it from growing back.
In contrast, there are other types of led lights that emit a lot of infrared light and this type of led light is not recommended for killing mold because it can have serious health implications.
Where Should I Install My Led Lights To Get Rid of Mold?
You should install your led lights in the areas that you notice mold. These areas could be the bathroom and kitchen which are common places for mold to grow.
You should make sure that your lights can reach these areas by either installing them on the ceiling or having an electrician install pendant lights.
You should also look for led lights that have a color temperature of around 5000k or higher. This type of led light emits a high amount of blue and ultraviolet (UV) light which will kill the mold spores that are in the air.
Also, there are different forms of led lights you can incorporate into your space like table lamps, ceiling lights, and track lighting, etc, to help you kill mold. By using led lights you can help prevent the growth of mold in your home and keep it looking fresh.
Remember, the type of light you choose should depend on the area that needs to be lit up or where you are trying to reduce mold growth.
There are some led lights that emit a lot of blue light which is great for killing mold, but it can have some negative effects on humans and pets.
What Type of led Lights Should I Use To Kill Mold?
You should install led light that has a color temperature around 5000k and above.
This type of led light emits a high amount of blue and ultraviolet (UV) light which will kill the mold spores. The best part about this is that the blue light doesn’t affect humans and pets and is completely safe to use around them.
Again, you should make sure that your led lights can reach the areas where you want to kill mold like the bathroom or kitchen.
FAQs
Can Led Light Kill Bacteria?
The short answer is yes. Bacteria are living organisms and as such, they require certain conditions to thrive like warmth, moisture, and nutrients. Since high intensive led lights emit a lot of heat which can kill bacteria in some instances like in a hospital.
Leds can also be used to sterilize needles and surgical instruments in hospitals which is why they are replacing traditional light bulbs.
Can Led Light Kill Bed Bugs?
While this may not be the best way to deal with bed bugs, there are special led lights that emit a high amount of ultraviolet (UV) light which can kill bed bugs in some instances.
Just like with mold, you need to make sure that your led lights can reach the areas where the bugs are most likely to be found in your home and in some cases, you may need to use more than one light.