# Mold keeps growing on the same spot again and again **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 15, 2015, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mold-keeps-growing-on-the-same-spot-again-and-again/722594 "2015-06-15T18:30:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2015, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mold-keeps-growing-on-the-same-spot-again-and-again/722594/1 "2015-06-15T18:30:09Z")
I have a dehumidifier with a plastic water-collection bucket. Mold keeps growing on the same spot on the right side of the bucket again and again. Always that small spot, usually not anywhere else. I have scrubbed and soaked that place in vinegar and antibacterial soap again and again. Mold keeps coming back. It’s back there again this morning. How is this happening? ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2015, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mold-keeps-growing-on-the-same-spot-again-and-again/722594/2 "2015-06-15T18:42:12Z")
> **[Mold Removal, How to Kill Mold with Bleach, Borax, Vinegar](https://moldpedia.com/mold-removal)** > > How to kill & remove mold with bleach, borax, vinegar, ammonia, mold removal products, hydrogen peroxide, detergent & water, baking soda, tea tree oil ---
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2015, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mold-keeps-growing-on-the-same-spot-again-and-again/722594/3 "2015-06-15T18:48:11Z")
Mold has deep roots that can be very tenacious. That’s why a very bad mold infestation is best treated by ripping out a lot of the lumber, drywall, carpet, etc that has been affected. Part of the problem with using bleach is that bleach is 95% water. After the chlorine gasses off, you’ve left any surviving spores with a nice moist environment to get started in. I’m a little surprised that this is happening with a plastic bucket. Nonporous surfaces are usually pretty resistant. I’d assume there’s some kind of crack or scratches (even if microscopic) in that area. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2015, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mold-keeps-growing-on-the-same-spot-again-and-again/722594/4 "2015-06-15T18:50:14Z")
> [@dracoi](#): > > I’m a little surprised that this is happening with a plastic bucket. Nonporous surfaces are usually pretty resistant. I’d assume there’s some kind of crack or scratches (even if microscopic) in that area. Right, this is what baffles me. If it were drywall I wouldn’t be surprised, but plastic? ---
**Author:** ![am77494](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d2c977/32.png) [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2015, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mold-keeps-growing-on-the-same-spot-again-and-again/722594/5 "2015-06-16T02:50:46Z")
Would it work for you if you added a spoonful of borax to the bucket every time you emptied it and installed it fresh ? The borax will help prevent any new growth and will not give any unpleasant odors. It’s cheap too. Be careful not to drink the water or let pets drink it either. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2015, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mold-keeps-growing-on-the-same-spot-again-and-again/722594/6 "2015-06-16T03:35:11Z")
I just clicked in to confirm that the OP wasn’t talking about a spot on his body. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2015, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mold-keeps-growing-on-the-same-spot-again-and-again/722594/7 "2015-06-16T04:18:04Z")
[Concrobium.](http://www.concrobium.com/en-can/) That stuff works. It solved my black mold problem after my office and thousands of pages of paper were flooded. ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2015, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mold-keeps-growing-on-the-same-spot-again-and-again/722594/8 "2015-06-16T06:34:47Z")
This is a water collection bucket? Maybe it’s coming from further up in the system.