Danny as been writing about air purifiers for 10+ years. He is a major fan of home technology, which makes him the perfect person to test and evaluate products for HouseFresh
While our homes are our havens, areas such as bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens are all susceptible to increased moisture and humidity. This can cause mold and mildew to thrive. Visible signs of mold on some of the walls in your home aren’t just an unsightly nuisance, they can affect and damage their condition, and can also be a significant health hazard. Continual exposure to mold can lead to persistent coughing, an increase in allergies, and even serious lung complications. Luckily, mold-resistant paints can help to reduce these problems.
Unlike regular paint in which mold can penetrate through it, the mold-resistant version is made with antimicrobial ingredients like mildewcides and fungicides. These prevent mold from growing on the painted surfaces and help to ensure that your health and wellbeing are safeguarded.
If you have a particular problem with high humidity and moisture in your home, however, you may also want to consider investing in a dehumidifier. These work by attracting warm currents of air via a fan, which then goes through refrigerated coils. Condensation is subsequently kept inside the unit and cool, dry air is released back into your room. Together with the mold-resistant paint, a dehumidifier can help you breathe more easily.
When picking out our top mold-resistant paints, we considered features like:
- Self-priming
- Fade-resistant
- Water-based
- Minimal odor
To ensure we found the best mold-resistant paints to meet your unique needs, we used consumer reports analysis to remove any fake and misleading reviews. All our recommendations came from genuine people like you who have previously used and can endorse these products. For more information about how to combat mold in your home, check out some of our other articles: 8 Best Air Purifiers for Mold and 8 Best Dehumidifiers for the Bedroom.
Last update on 2023-09-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. KILZ Basement and Masonry Waterproofing Paint
The KILZ Interior/Exterior Waterproofing Paint is designed for masonry surfaces and porous concrete surfaces. This makes the paint very useful when used in a basement, especially one in which there is high humidity, thanks to the mold and mildew-resistant finish. It is best used on interior basement walls as well as both interior and exterior masonry walls. You can even apply it to garage or landscape walls, painting easily over the likes of brick and stucco.
This paint is also useful to ward off mold because, besides the finish, it also uses nanotechnology so that the paint forms a barrier stopping water infiltration. By adding some waterproof protection, the paint further helps keep the walls safe from mold growth by keeping moisture levels low.
On top of the protection, the paint is user-friendly too thanks to its low-odor design. It is also easy to use to tint with pastel colors or other mid-tone colors, giving you more freedom in terms of design options. Once it is applied, this is also backed with an alkali-resistant coating. This coating keeps the paint looking fresh and looking as good as new long down the road.
Features:
- Interior/exterior acrylic
- Water-resistant up to 12 PSI (pounds per inch)
- Low odor
- Tintable for mid-tone colors and pastels
What we love
- It is backed with a 10-year customer satisfaction guarantee
- The paint is exceptionally smooth and easy to apply
- Provides good coverage that dries quickly after multiple coats
We don't like this as much
- As this paint is not particularly thick, multiple coats are necessary
2. Rust-Oleum PermaWhite Mold & Mildew Proof Interior Paint
The Rust-Oleum PermaWhite Mold & Mildew Proof Paint is made with mold growth in mind. It is intended for interior use only, so you have a range of where you can apply it inside your home that may be more prone to high moisture such as the bathrooms or kitchen.
The paint provides extra protection to these areas to ward off growth. Because the paint is self-priming, there is no need for sanding the surface. This way, the paint is more user-friendly since there is little extra prepping you need to do before applying it.
Another beneficial aspect of this paint is that it is tintable to medium colors, pastels, and off-white tones. It is known to last longer than average thanks to its fade-resistant properties. For those of you who have pets or kids in the house, the paint is also designed so that you can both wash it and scrub it with little risk of it coming off. This paint even has a stain and moisture-resistant finish so that it continues to shine no matter what it is exposed to.
Features:
- Interior semi-gloss
- Self-priming
- Water-based
- Fade resistant
What we love
- With it being low in odor, there's little need to ventilate while painting
- As it is thick, it can cover old paint of various colors well
- This seems to go on just as well on the ceiling as it does on the walls
We don't like this as much
- Its thickness may require you to mix it for quite some time before using it
3. Diamond Brite Paint 40400
The Diamond Brite Paint 40400 is straightforward to apply whether you brush it on, spray it on, or roll it on the walls. It works out best when used in high-traffic areas. This includes the likes of bathrooms and kitchens where mold can quickly spread. The walls are not the only things that can be painted with this, however. You can paint over cabinets, doors, and even ceilings. When it goes on, the semi-gloss provides a bold white coloring that can instantly bring in some light to a room.
Besides how great it looks going on, this paint is also useful in those high-traffic areas because of its reliability. The paint features excellent fade-resistant and splatter-resistant qualities. However, this paint also stays on well so that it is easier to clean without removing the paint itself. The likes of fingerprints and grease stains can wipe off well.
Of course, the paint is also designed to resist mildew. This is further why it works when used in high-humidity or moist areas like the bathroom and kitchens even if they are ventilated.
Features:
- Semi-gloss latex kitchen and bath
- Bright white coloring
- Splatter-resistant
- Fade-resistant
What we love
- In many cases, you may only need to apply one coat
- A fast-drying formula that is easy to clean up afterward
- Works well for simple touch-up jobs as well as wider applications
We don't like this as much
- Labeled as semi-gloss, it does not produce as brilliant a shine as glossy paints
4. Rust-Oleum 5001 Mold/Mildew Paint
The Rust-Oleum 5001 Paint is built to protect against mold and mildew thanks to the mildewcide that fights off growth on the paint film. This even comes with a five-year mold and mildew-proof guarantee, further providing extra peace of mind that your walls will be mildew-free.
With such strong protection, it makes it ideal to apply in the likes of basements. However, this paint is designed so that you can use it just as well on interior surfaces as you can on exterior ones. It is designed for concrete and masonry walls.
This paint is also said to have twice the waterproofing power as other similar ones. In fact, this paint is guaranteed to ward off up to 34 PSI of water pressure for good reliability. Because this is an oil-based paint, it is not known to have strong odors, making it safer to use even if the room is not that well ventilated. This may very well be the case in the room you’re applying it in considering it’s helpful for those high-humidity areas that you can’t air out well.
Features:
- Oil-based formula
- Non-gritty finish
- Bright white
- Water resistant
What we love
- It is designed so that it can be applied to both wet and dry walls
- The first coat goes on easily and smoothly without much dripping
- Covers stains exceptionally well
We don't like this as much
- We wish the can was available in a larger size to prevent needing to buy multiples
5. Rust-Oleum Zinsser PermaWhite
The Rust-Oleum Zinsser PermaWhite is an affordable and simple kit that provides your walls with advanced protection against mold and mildew build-up. The mildewcide used within the paint will work to fight off growth on the paint film. This proofing is guaranteed for five years too so that you don’t have to reapply it anytime soon. As it is a self-priming paint, you don’t need to do much to prep your walls before painting as it should stay on well enough without sanding.
This paint is made with great fade-resisting properties too so that it will look brand new for far longer. There is also the fact that the paint is designed to resist peeling, cracking, and blistering. This is guaranteed to last for up to 15 years, in fact.
The features offered by this paint are not only useful if you are using the paint in areas that typically have higher moisture to prevent mold and mildew but also helps to prevent the physical damage that high-moisture atmospheres can cause.
Features:
- Self-priming
- Semi-gloss
- White
- Fade-resistant
What we love
- Thick enough for long-term use on various exterior walls
- Smooth application that covers large sections with ease
- Cleans up well using just soap and water
We don't like this as much
- It may initially be thick so it's important to break the clumps down to achieve an even finish
6. Rust-Oleum Mold Killing Primer
The Rust-Oleum Mold Killing Primer performs as its name implies: it efficiently works to kill mold. This paint is made with properties that can do away with existing mildew, mold, and even odor-causing bacteria. With its water-based formula and fungicidal protective coating, the primer is designed to effectively tackle existing mold and mildew growth, as well as prevent future growth from occurring.
This primer is designed to bind well with chalky siding, metal, and masonry. Additionally, it goes on well on multiple types of interior walls too, providing excellent versatility as to where you can use it. Not only will this stop the growth of fungal organisms along the paint film, but it can further help with covering up those fungal and microbiological stains left behind from water damage.
Features:
- Water-based
- Brilliant White
- Flatt/matte
- Interior usage
What we love
- Does well at painting over mold and mildew without bleed through
- Great for basements and areas with high humidity
- Works on multiple types of surfaces such as wooden beams
We don't like this as much
- This water-based paint may need to be applied with a couple of extra layers to achieve the desired look
7. INSL-X WaterBlock Acrylic Masonry Waterproofer Paint
The INSL-X WaterBlock is a potent waterproofing paint that works to prevent your basement walls from moisture issues including mold and mildew. Thanks to its waterproofing properties, it can help ward off mold and mildew before it even has a chance to grow. It is water-based, and when the paint film is dried, it provides a higher resistance to mold fungus. This paint has high alkali resistance up to pH-13 and quality hydrostatic pressure up to 12 PSI.
This can be used on various types of walls in your basement. Paint on bare cement walls, brick walls, and even bare cinder block walls. It is important that no matter which type of wall you have, you properly prep it so the paint can best do its job and fight off moisture. Furthermore, this paint features a 10-year guarantee to prevent mold growth so that you can have more peace of mind applying this to your basement walls. No more worrying about mold and mildew damaging anything!
Features:
- Water-based
- Interior/exterior application
- Alkali resistance
- Up to 12 PSI hydrostatic pressure
What we love
- Pre-mixing is not needed to properly use the paint
- Offers complete sealing over various types of walls for easy prepping and usage
- Can be applied to damp walls as well as dry surfaces
We don't like this as much
- As the paint isn't low in VOC, it's important to take care and use proper ventilation
8. INSL-X Cabinet Coat
The INSL-X Cabinet Coat is the go-to product for providing an extra layer of protection on cabinet surfaces. Not only that, but it can work just as well for window trims, shelving, and furniture. Such versatility makes it useful for both bathroom and kitchen areas. When applied, it delivers an ultra-smooth finish that looks long-lasting thanks to its reliable urethane-acrylic formula.
This paint is even designed to handle those tougher projects such as hard-to-coat surfaces like a varnish. It can go onto these types of surfaces without the use of a primer. As for how it can help with the issue of mold and mildew, the paint is designed to withstand moist conditions and repeated washing. The tough coating applied makes it useful in high-traffic areas where mold and mildew can build up.
Features:
- Urethane-acrylic formula
- Low odor
- Water-based
- Fast-drying
What we love
- Can be used to refurbish worn down cabinets
- Provides fantastic scratch-resistance
- The finish is even no matter how many coats are applied
We don't like this as much
- This is a thin paint, so more than four coats may be needed for application
FAQs About Mold Resistant Paints
How long does mold-resistant paint last? In general, mold-resistant paint should last anywhere from four to six years. Even so, there are a few ways that you can help make the paint last longer. Before you even paint, it is important to prep your walls. Thoroughly clean and sterilize the walls to make sure nothing is on them, allowing the paint to go on even. Also, be sure to wait for the walls to be completely dried out before applying the paint. Another way that you can extend the life of your mold-resistant paint is by using a primer and a sealant. What are the most common places mold is found in the home? Any room that has high moisture levels will be most susceptible to mold growth as mold thrives in that type of environment. So, be on the lookout in areas such as your bathroom, laundry room, kitchen, storage rooms, and even basements with a lot of humidity. If you live in an area that naturally has plenty of humidity, then any room may fall victim to mold growth. So, it's important to address dampness that you can see, feel, or even smell. Not only can it cause damage to your walls, but prolonged exposure to mold can lead to health issues like immune complications and problems with your lungs. Is it okay to paint over mold? There are quite a few manufacturers that may boast the claim that their specific mold-resistant paint can be used directly over mold without an issue. However, it is strongly recommended that you properly prep the surface before applying any paint, and this is true regardless of if there is mold or not. Paint goes on better when the walls are clean, dry, and free from obvious blemishes. It isn't complicated to remove noticeable mold on the walls either, so it's not a process that should take too much time. In fact, a diluted mixture of water and bleach is all you need. Simply take a brush and get to work cleaning the fungi off. Which Mold Resistant Paint is Best for You? We understand how stressful mold can be inside your home, so instead of having to deal with getting rid of it, it works to try to ward it off in the first place with mold-resistant paint. This paint works well at fighting off the development of mold, but the best way to ensure that the paint is effective is to ensure that you have correctly prepped the surface you wish to paint. If there is mold, clean and sterilize the surface before applying the paint. This will ensure that there is nothing in the way that can prevent the paint from working. Additionally, you can also help keep the dampness levels low in the first place to reduce the chances of further mold growth. This can be done by making sure there is good ventilation in rooms susceptible to high moisture as well as using a dehumidifier to lower humidity levels. Besides prepping your room, choosing the right mold-resistant paint will go a long way in helping your walls stay clean and looking good. So, we hope our list will guide you toward the right paint for your needs. In the meantime, feel free to check out our favorite budget-friendly option, our top mid-range pick, and our top high-end mold-resistant paint:- Best Budget Option – Rust-Oleum Zinsser PermaWhite
- Best Mid-Range Option – KILZ Basement and Masonry Waterproofing Paint
- Best High-End Option – Rust-Oleum Mold/Mildew Paint