Best Mold- and Mildew-Resistant Paints for 2021

What to Know About Painting Over Mold and Mildew

Musty ground-floor apartments, poorly ventilated bathrooms and dank basement laundry rooms are all potential petri dishes for growing ugly and unhealthy mold and mildew. Interior and exterior paints or primers containing antimicrobial properties can help keep mold under control.

Mold, a form of fungus that produces spores that float through the air, thrives in moist, warm environments. Mold and mildew produce allergens that, when inhaled or touched, can cause allergic reactions and trigger attacks in asthma sufferers. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “The best way to control mold growth is to control moisture.”

Here are some useful steps for dealing with mold in and around your home:

• Find the source of the moisture. Don’t forget to look for hidden leaks in walls and under kitchen cabinets.
• Clean infested areas with detergent and water.
• After cleanup, let surfaces dry completely (allow 24 to 48 hours).
• Repaint the area with a mold-resistant product.

Prevention

• Install fans in bathrooms, leave windows open whenever possible, use an exhaust fan when cooking and run dehumidifiers to reduce indoor humidity.
• Add insulation to windows, pipes and walls to prevent condensation.
• Maintain gutters and downspouts.

Once you’ve taken care of the moisture problem and cleaned the area, here are some top-rated paints and primers to help keep the mold and mildew from returning.