There are many mold and mildew removers available out there in the market today. Some of these are household chemical products such as cleansers and disinfectants that are used for scrubbing away at mold and mildew. Some are industrial-strength chemical products that are applied to really nasty cases of mold and mildew.

An ozone generator is one such mold and mildew remover. It is considered to be among the most effective of such agents used for remediating mold. As the name suggests, ozone generators transform oxygen into ozone through the use of electrical currents. Ozone generators blast high concentrations of ozone on mold and mildew, and thereby killing them.

How does ozone created by ozone generators kill mold and mildew? Simply put, ozone is an oxidizing agent. Whenever a molecule of ozone comes in contact with mold, the molecule oxidizes the mold and disables its ability to reproduce itself. This process eventually kills the mold. However, quantity is a crucial factor when it comes to remediating mold, and so, the number of ozone molecules that come in contact with the mold should outnumber the mold itself. This produces what is called a "shock" effect on the mold. The shock of exposure with highly concentrated ozone is fatal to mold and mildew.

There are, however, some limitations on how ozone generators are to be used as well as how effective they can be. Before using an ozone generator, it is important that the water and the ventilation problem in the affected area should be addressed first. Ozone generators work best in dry areas. Also, how high the concentration of ozone needed to get rid of mildew and mold depends on the size of the area and the level of contamination. The larger the area to be decontaminated and the higher the degree of contamination, the higher the concentration of the ozone should be. Ozone will not effectively kill mold and mildew if the concentration is too low compared to the degree of contamination.

Most importantly, the treatment of mold contamination should be complete and thorough. Thus, dead mold and mildew should be removed physically with the use of a vacuum fitted with a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter. Mold can feed on dead mold. If a nutrient source for mold is available, the mold and mildew contamination can return.

Another critical aspect that must be remembered about ozone generators is that as effective as they are as mold and mildew removers, they should not be used on occupied areas. Areas to be treated with ozone generators should be evacuated first. Ozone is toxic to mold and mildew and it is also toxic to humans, animals and plants.

Ozone generators are quite effective as mold and mildew removers. To make the most of the capability of ozone generators to kill mold and mildew, they should be used in the most optimum manner.