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Product Review: Concrobium Mold Control
This review was a long time coming. Rather than a full review as we were planning, this is going to be more of a “product awareness post”.
Concrobium sent us two bottle sample kit a few months back, but with the wedding in May and the move, we haven’t had time to do a test like we’d been planning.
Last week, though, I made the exciting discovery that there was mold in the office sink. I brought the “MoldControl” to work and was prepared to give it a test only to discover that it’s not intended for sinks but rather more of a preventive solution for walls and surfaces not intended for dampness.
So, a huge thanks to Concrobium for sending the sample our way. I’ll keep my eyes open for an opportunity to give it a test.
Until then, dear readers, learn more on the Concrobium Mold Control website.
Jonathan Wold
MoldBlogger.com
Tags: concrobium, Mold Prevention, moldcontrol, Product Reviews
In doing some research on Concrobium Mold Control, I am finding that it only encapsulates mold, does not kill mold. I was told that when sprayed in a wall, that re-application has to be every 3 months so therefore you would have to tear the wall down to reapply. Also, the product is 0.95% sodium carbonate which is baking soda, and I am assuming the latter is water. Even though the product is EPA registered, it is not EPA approved am I correct. Would appreciate your take on this.
Darlene on July 17th, 2008Hi Darlene – my name is Brad and I am with Siamons International, the manufacturer of Concrobium Mold Control®. I thought it might help if I addressed your questions directly.
Your first question is whether Concrobium Mold Control just “encapsulates” mold, which implies that the solution just “covers” or “traps” the mold. Some antimicrobial solutions are just ‘encapsulants’, but Concrobium Mold Control goes further than encapsulation; as it dries over the moldy surface it forms an antimicrobial shield that actually eliminates the mold and mildew underneath.
Your second question regards the need for re-application. In addition to eliminating mold, Concrobium Mold Control stays on surfaces – in the form of an invisible antimicrobial shield – to prevent mold and mildew growth. As long as that shield is intact, the treated surface retains a protective barrier that will prevent the growth of mold and mildew. Reapplication is only necessary if that barrier is removed or covered with a new surface. So if the surface receives constant dousing with water (e.g. a shower stall), or resurfaced (painted) or becomes very soiled, it is recommended that the Concrobium Mold Control be reapplied. Otherwise reapplication should not be required.
Your third question regards the ingredients of Concrobium Mold Control. You are correct that the solution is 0.95% sodium carbonate, but there are two other ingredients which, combined with the sodium carbonate and the water, result in this unique, patented solution that eliminates and prevents mold. The solution contains no bleach, ammonia or VOCs. Our Material Safety Data Sheet is posted on our web site: http://www.concrobium.com/US/advantage.html.
Your final question asked whether the product is EPA-registered or EPA-approved. The answer is the former: Concrobium Mold Control is EPA-registered, which means that our science has been reviewed by the EPA and that we are allowed to make the claims that the product eliminates and prevents mold. Note that any manufacturer who claims that their product eliminates or prevents mold WITHOUT EPA registration is breaking the law. To the point about EPA “approval”, it is our understanding that the EPA does not “approve” or “endorse” antimicrobial products, so “registration” is the only term that applies in this situation.
I hope these answers help. If you have any more questions or would like to discuss further, please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-866-811-4148 or email us at customerserviceus@concrobium.com.
Brad Elder on July 29th, 2008Brad — Thanks for your answer to the question, but I’m curious about one ambiguity that you mention. Does concrobium KILL mold? The way you’ve described it, concrobium “eliminates the mold underneath” the dried sodium carbonate, but to Kill is very different from to Eliminate (Eliminate could mean clean or remove likely leaving spores intact). Thanks!
Robert on January 7th, 2009Brad,
Stu on February 10th, 2009Since the link to “Our Material Safety Data sheet” wont open? I think that what I paid for your product at $5.95 for baking soda is a big disappointment. I have had no success with this product and followed the directions.
Answer from Manufacture below:
Hello Beverlyann,
Concrobium Mold control will Kill and prevent mold growth. When you spray directly onto the mold and allow it to dry, this will encapsulate the mold and crush the cells of the mold physically. Basically, like suffocating the mold so it is dead. Once the surface is dry, the mold is dead and then you can wipe away the dead mold with a cloth or brush. Spray again and allow to dry and this will work as a preventative.
Thanks
Brad Cranstoun
Siamons International
(T)866-811-4148×271
(F)866-906-4009
Makers of Concrobium Mold Control
the cure for the common Mold
http://www.concrobium.com
BeverlyAnn Chyatte on April 27th, 2009Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate. Notice the “bi” prefix. Concrobium is sodium carbonate. No “bi” prefix.
Joe on May 26th, 2009What is the effect of the Mold Control on Stachybotrys chartarum?
mary on June 15th, 2009I bought this product today and sprayed it in my musty smelling basement (which I suspect is due to mold). To my amazement the smell was eliminated. I’m curious to give it a few days and see if the smell comes back. Anyway, so far looks pretty impressive.
Bob on September 13th, 2009Get the MSDS here http://www.safetyexpress.com/Services/media/MSDS/Restoration/Concrobium.pdf And as mentioned, it is NOT baking soda, look it up. Also read the testimonials here http://www.verdeii.com/mold.html
Sam on September 19th, 2009Do you recommend the Fogmaster Tri Jet Fogger, to spray Concrobium , or mist it? If I leave this fogger going in my basement, will it keep mold away? Do I have to leave it for some time? Thanks
Christine on September 23rd, 2009I noticed in two separate corner locations in my house where the water overflowed from my plant and when I went to move the plant this weekend I noticed mold on my carpet. When I investigated further I found: under my carpet and underpad was an area of 4 sqft where mold was present, on my baseboard, behind baseboard on drywall, behind drywall on 2X4 beams. So basically in one area I removed the 2X4 and installed new one, I removed drywall and base board in the corner areas and sprayed the wood and wiped it with concrobium. I have an issue with some of the things I am reading with respect to does it KILL it or cover it because I don’t wanna seal up with new plastic, insulation, drywall, etc and then it’s still alive in my walls. Should I fog the area basically getting everything? How can I be assured everything is captured? What would you do if you were I? Help!
Stephen Norris on October 5th, 2009Can Mold Control be applied to exterior
Tony on October 7th, 2009surfaces?
If so how long can you expect it to last
before you recoat.
Will we need to cover everything (clothes, dishes etc) on the floor above if we use fogger in the basement crawl?
chris skodinski on October 21st, 2009I have black mold on the subfloor in my bathroom. If I spray and then cover it with 3/4″ plywood, will this keep the mold from growing back?
thanks
valerie on November 5th, 2009Is their a shelf life for Concrobium? In other words an expiration date.
Ken on January 6th, 2010Ken
We are remodelling our basement and have discovered mold on the block foundation. Can I use this product and then insulate over top of it? I understand that this product kills the mold but the black colouring remains. Is this the case? What more do I need to do to be able to insulate and put drywall on my basement walls?
Monika on February 1st, 2010Thanks.
Concrombium is truly a wonder and I am mystified about why it is not better known. We had a terrible battle with mold after the humidity level in our home got out of control. Slowly but surely mold was taking over our indoor air space, yet for a long time we could find no visible mold. I researched and researched and used a variety of methods, from the old stand-bys (bleach) to the alternative (tea tree oil and grapefruit seed extract mixtures). When I finally discovered mold on the insides of our vents, I was having constant headaches and sneezing and my kids went from having asthma that was rarely a problem to having to take powerful asthma medications on a daily basis (at a cost of $300 per month for the two of them). Our health was in danger and we were miserable in our house. I lost every shoe I owned to mold growth in my closet. I couldn’t breathe well at night. When I discovered my favorite upholstered chair had gone moldy beneath its slipcover I broke down in tears (and threw it out in the trash). I discovered mold on the books and the wall hangings. I got to the point where I felt completely defeated–even if we could move, how could we throw out everything we owned and start over again? When I finally discovered Concrombium, I was hopeful, but skeptical. After all, if it was so great, why could I find nothing online about it? Why wasn’t it being recommended on government websites regarding mold remediation. But I bought a bottle and I used it inside the most troublesome air vent. The smell was neutralized for a few days, and I knew there was a shot–even if it didn’t end up working, the price was so low I could take the chance on it. I rented a concrobium fogger from Home Depot, deposited my kids at my sister’s, and then got to work. I fogged every room of my house. I fogged the closets, the clothes, I did my best to fog inside all the air vents and air returns. I fogged the crawlspace beneath the house, I fogged the attic. I fogged every single spot that the fog could possibly reach. And my house smelled completely neutral; it was beautiful. (Then I washed all the clothes that I had fogged, they will get somewhat sticky, but every piece of clothing survived, nothing was ruined, and nothing smelled moldy anymore.) After a few weeks, I was disappointed to discover an occasional tiny waft of moldy smell in my bedroom; it continued and I couldn’t figure out where it was coming from. This disappointment was tempered by the fact that the overall mold smell was gone, but I was frustrated and I was reacting to it with sneezing and difficulty breathing again. Finally, my husband discovered the source. It was coming from inside my velvet lined jewelry box, which had been closed during the fogging. Problem now solved. I know this is long, and I apologize for that, but I truly feel this product deserves more than a cursory glance, and it deserves better than people dismissing it without giving it a true test (for instance, you can’t expect it to work if the problems that caused the mold aren’t solved–for us, that meant the installation of a sump pump to control the excessive humidity from the earth in our crawl space plus dehumidification inside our house during the summer–but once those fixes were in place, the mold floating around in our house still needed to be neutralized). A few months after our grand fogging experience, my kids had their best lung function tests ever! Unfortunately, they still require their medications and I think the overexposure to mold is something their bodies will have to recover from for a long time–and the same is true for me. But we now live in a home that smells clean and has healthy air. We couldn’t have done it without Concrobium. The cost of the treatment was about $100 total, the majority of that was the fogger rental. If you are looking into a major mold remediation project, try concrombium first. It’s simple, it’s non-toxic, it’s cheap. And it’s not too good to be true. It works.
Laura on February 21st, 2010