Neutralize bleach?

July 19, 2005 9:01 PM

Does bleach need to be neutralized after the mildew is cleaned, and before painting? Bad mildew in the tenant's bathroom. Scrubbed with 1:2 bleach:water to great success. After it is rinsed, then dries thoroughly, can it be primed and painted, or does it have to be neutralized, or ??
posted by theora55 to Home & Garden (6 answers total)

Best answer: With rinsing and exposure to light and air chlorine bleach at the levels you were using should not need further neutralization. If it were me I would just go ahead and paint.
posted by nanojath at 9:10 PM on July 19, 2005

Best answer: It should be fine. You should use a paint designed for bathrooms (against mold). Doesn't cost much more and the mold will probably return if all conditions are the same as before; high moisture, low venting.
posted by lee at 9:23 PM on July 19, 2005

Best answer: If I remember, the chlorine that's left just outgases like nanojath says, with exposure to light and air. As long as it doesn't smell like bleach any more, it should be all gone.
IANAC, is there a chemist in the house?
posted by unrepentanthippie at 4:25 AM on July 20, 2005

Response by poster: 9 minutes to the 1st correct answer. Each additional answer provides a bit of new information. Ask.me is a terrific resource. Thank you.
posted by theora55 at 4:29 AM on July 20, 2005

If it were my bathroom, I'd take the extra precaution of rinsing the bleach off with vinegar. That will remove any residual bleach and is sure to rinse cleanly and easily. I'm just lazy enough to make sure I'm not duplicating any work.
posted by kc0dxh at 6:35 AM on July 20, 2005

For an extra bit of prevention, prime the walls with Kilz before painting.
posted by Thorzdad at 2:00 PM on July 20, 2005