Got a mold problem on your hands? You've probably come across RMR 141 and RMR 86 in your research.

These two products from RMR Solutions pop up in pretty much every conversation about mold treatment, and for good reason - they're powerhouse products that a lot of people rely on.

But here's the thing: while they're both meant to help with mold problems, they serve completely different purposes.

In this post, I’ll compare RMR 141 vs RMR 86 and break down everything you need to know from how they work to when to use each one, so you can decide on what to get.

#1 What Are They Used For

RMR 141 and RMR 86 do totally different things when it comes to treating mold.

RMR 141 is the one that actually kills mold, bacteria, and viruses. It's registered with the EPA and gets rid of living mold spores while helping stop new ones from growing.

RMR 86 does something else entirely - it gets rid of those ugly stains that mold leaves behind.

It won't kill the mold, but it makes surfaces look clean again by removing those dark spots mold creates.

#2 Active Properties

These products have very different active properties.

RMR 141 has antimicrobial ingredients that make it great at killing fungi and disinfecting surfaces.

It gets deep into surfaces and kills mold spores right where they start, giving you a really thorough clean.

RMR 86 uses different chemicals that focus on getting rid of stains.

You usually don't even need to scrub - it just breaks down those dark marks and makes them disappear.

#3 Duration And Effectiveness

RMR 141 keeps protecting against mold for a long time when you use it correctly.

You need to keep surfaces wet with it for at least 10 minutes to really kill everything, and if you apply it right, it keeps working for quite a while - we're talking weeks or even months of residual protection against new mold growth.

RMR 86 works much faster - it starts removing stains pretty much right away, often within minutes of application.

Once the stains are gone, they're gone for good, but remember that RMR 86 won't stop new mold from growing since it doesn't actually kill mold spores.

#4 Ease Of Use

Both RMR 86 and RMR 141 are super easy to use.

With RMR 141, you'll spray it on with a spray bottle or pump sprayer and wait around for a bit. Sometimes you might need to scrub a little, and you have to make sure the surface stays wet the whole time.

RMR 86 is pretty simple - just spray it on and watch those stains disappear. Most of the time you won't even need to scrub.

Just remember that you need good air flow and safety gear when using either one.

#5 Versatility

Each product shines in its own way.

RMR 141 works great as both a cleaner and disinfectant on lots of hard surfaces that won't absorb it - things like bathroom fixtures, kitchen counters, walls, and floors.

You can use it to treat mold or just to disinfect things. It's particularly useful in commercial settings where you need regular disinfection along with mold prevention.

The product can even be used in food preparation areas after proper rinsing.

RMR 86 has one main job, but it does that job really well on all sorts of surfaces like wood, concrete, drywall, and tile.

It might not do as many things as RMR 141, but it's fantastic at removing stains. It's especially effective on porous surfaces where mold stains tend to penetrate deeply.

The product can even handle outdoor surfaces like deck boards, patio furniture, and concrete paths.

#6 Best Use Scenarios

When to use each product really depends on what kind of mold problem you have.

Go for RMR 141 when you've got active mold that needs to be killed and you want to stop it from coming back. It works great in places that get wet a lot, like bathrooms and basements, or after you've had flooding.

RMR 86 comes in handy after the mold is already dead or cleaned up, but you still see those dark stains. It's perfect when you're fixing up a space or getting ready to paint

#7 Safety Precautions

You need to be really careful with both products.

Make sure you wear gloves and protect your eyes when using RMR 141 or RMR 86.

You'll need plenty of fresh air while using them because they can give off strong fumes. The ventilation needs are especially important for RMR 86, as its rapid chemical reaction can create more intense fumes initially.

And don't mix them with other cleaning products, and keep them where kids and pets can't reach them.

Should I Get RMR 86 vs RMR 141?

It really comes down to what you need to do.

Want to kill active mold and keep it from coming back? Get RMR 141.

Just trying to get rid of those dark stains after the mold is already taken care of? That's when you want RMR 86.

A lot of people who deal with mold regularly actually use both - first RMR 141 to kill the mold, then RMR 86 to clean up those leftover stains.

Bottom Line

Most of the time, using both products works best for completely dealing with mold.

RMR 141 takes care of the actual mold problem by killing it and keeping it from growing back, while RMR 86 makes everything look clean again by getting rid of the stains.

Think of it this way: RMR 141 handles the health part of your mold problem, and RMR 86 takes care of making things look good again. When you use them together, you're tackling both the mold itself and the marks it leaves behind.

Just make sure you follow all the safety instructions and use them correctly for best results!

RMR 141 Vs RMR 86 (What Should I Get?)