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Black mold, green algae, and gray road film bury the original color of brick until it looks tired and older than it is. The right cleaner for bricks lifts those stains without scrubbing or harsh bleach. The best choices here split into two camps: instant-acting sprays that erase mold and mildew on contact, and slower, gentler concentrates that let weather do the work over days.
I’m Mo Maruf — the founder and writer behind The Tools Trunk. This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
You need a product that matches your stain type, surface, and tolerance for harsh fumes, and this breakdown of the best cleaner for bricks separates the instant stain erasers from the slow-release formulas worth your money.
Our Picks at a Glance
How To Choose The Best Cleaner For Bricks
Brick is porous, which is why stains sink in deep rather than sitting on the surface like they do on vinyl siding. That single trait decides which cleaner will work for you. A foam or spray that clings to the surface buys you time for the chemistry to penetrate, while a thin liquid runs right off and wastes your effort.
Match the cleaner to the stain
Mold, mildew, and algae respond to bleach-based or peroxide-based formulas that kill the growth and lift the dark staining. Grease and oil from cars or grills are a completely different problem — they need a degreaser built to break down petroleum, not a mildew remover. Match the cleaner to the stain type, or the wrong chemistry leaves the stain untouched.
Instant power versus slow and gentle
Some sprays erase mold stains in seconds and demand serious protective gear because of the fumes. Others are designed to be sprayed once and left for the sun and rain to finish the job over days or weeks. For quick results, an instant eraser works in minutes. If you’re treating a tall wall and don’t want to scrub or rinse, a “spray and forget” formula with a hose-end setup saves your back.
Coverage and concentration math
Read the coverage number on the label before you buy. A ready-to-use spray might cover 150-200 square feet, while a concentrate can stretch to 4,500 or even 6,400 square feet. Concentrates cover more square footage per bottle, cutting cost and store trips.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | Coverage | Volume | Action Speed | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RMR-86 Instant Mold Remover★ Best Overall | Instant mold & mildew stains | — | 128 oz (1 gal) | Seconds | Amazon |
| MICROBAN Foaming CleanerBest Value | Siding, fences & sealed brick | 4,500 sq ft | 64 fl oz | 10 minutes | Amazon |
| Spray & Forget RTUSpray & Walk Away | Slow spray-and-walk-away jobs | 150-200 sq ft | 144 fl oz | Hours to days | Amazon |
| Spray & Forget Hose End | Reaching second-story brick | 400-600 sq ft | 32 fl oz | Days to weeks | Amazon |
| Simple Green Oxy Solve | Family-safe concentrate | 6,400 sq ft | — | Minutes | Amazon |
| RMR Complete System | Indoor + outdoor kit | — | 2 x 32 oz | 15 seconds | Amazon |
| Rust-Oleum Jomax | Bleach-free concentrate | 1,500 sq ft | 1 gal | 1-2 days | Amazon |
| 30 SECONDS Battery Wand | Instant results, no scrubbing | — | 1.3 gal | Immediate | Amazon |
| Zep Driveway & Masonry | Oil & grease stains | — | Case of 4 gal | Minutes | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. RMR-86 Instant Mold and Mildew Stain Remover Spray
Our pick — over 4★ from 66,000+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.
The instant eraser that melts black mold stains before your eyes, no brush required.
When scrubbing has already failed, this spray is the one you reach for. It is a professional-strength formula (a concentrated cleaner for tough jobs) designed to remove deep discoloration, mold, and mildew from brick walls, concrete floors, decks, and vinyl siding. It starts working the moment it touches the surface, targeting stains that sit below the surface. The brand says no scrubbing is needed, and buyers report stains fade in minutes, sometimes seconds, on grout and tile that peroxide couldn’t touch.
Raw power like this has a cost, and it’s the fumes. The chlorine-like smell can sting your eyes and throat, so the instructions insist on proper ventilation and full protective gear — gloves at minimum, and stronger PPE like a full-face respirator if you’re in an enclosed space. It’s a stain remover, not a mold killer, so live mold can return if you don’t address the moisture source. The crowd favorite across tens of thousands of owners still lands at 4.4 stars because effectiveness is what everyone raves about, with mold removal the second most-praised trait.
What Wins People Over
- Erases mold and mildew stains in minutes with zero scrubbing
- Works on brick, concrete, wood, vinyl, drywall, and kitchen surfaces
- One gallon of ready-to-use formula goes a long way
The Real Trade-offs
- Overpowering chemical smell demands gloves and good airflow
- Treats stains only — mold regrows without killing the source
- An occasional bottle leaks or degrades, so don’t store it long-term
Reach for this if: you need black mold stains gone today and you’re prepared to suit up with gloves and ventilation.
Look elsewhere if: you want a gentle formula safe for frequent use around kids and pets — this one is strong medicine.
2. MICROBAN Outdoor Surface Care Multi-Purpose Foaming Cleaner
A gentle foaming wash that brightens siding and fences without a ladder or a brush.
Where the RMR-86 blasts stains off fast, this one works by foaming and clinging. The thick foam lifts away dirt, debris, and stubborn stains, then you wait 10 minutes and rinse — no ladder, no scrubbing. It’s made for T siding, decks, fences, stucco, vinyl, gutters, and painted, sealed, or stained brick, and at 64 fluid ounces it covers up to 4,500 square feet using the wide spray pattern. That’s a 30x coverage gap versus a ready-to-use spray that manages only 150-200 square feet.
There is a clear boundary to its powers, and owners are honest about it. On vinyl siding, algae disappears in minutes and even resists coming back the next season; one 50-foot garage’s north side came out spotless. On porous surfaces like raw wood, brick, and concrete, though, the results disappoint — owners mention: “This stuff did absolutely nothing to my concrete walkway and from porch area, it still looks untouched.” For sealed or painted brick it is a fine fit, but bare, unsealed brick is not its job.
Smart buy for: anyone with algae on siding, fences, or sealed brick who wants a no-scrub, unscented cleaner that won’t harm plants when used as directed.
Know before you buy: porous brick and raw concrete need a bleach-based or degreaser formula instead — this one leaves them looking untouched.
3. Spray & Forget Ready-to-Use House & Deck Outdoor Cleaner
A no-mix, no-rinse formula that lets sun and rain finish the job over days.
This one flips the script on instant cleaners. Instead of blasting stains off in seconds, it’s designed to be sprayed once and left alone while natural weather conditions do the work. It removes stains from algae, mold, and mildew on brick, walls, fences, driveways, walkways, siding, stucco, and decks, with no pre-use mixing required. The alcohol-based, biobased formula comes in a 144-fluid-ounce gallon, the largest volume here, though it covers only 150-200 square feet — a 2.2x volume gap over the Microban’s 64 ounces, but far smaller coverage per bottle.
Patience is the price of entry. Where RMR-86 works in seconds, this works over hours to weeks, and owners note it’s slow but steady on light composite decks. Siding mold and algae have been reported gone within 3 hours, though one user’s bottle sprayer malfunctioned and needed a separate spray device. It’s gentle for annual use but can burn plants, so wear a mask and wet nearby foliage. Reapply every 24-36 months or at the first sign of new staining.
Best suited to: homeowners who want to spray a tall wall or deck once and forget it, with no rinsing or scrubbing effort at all.
The catch: results come slowly, coverage per gallon is modest, and the included sprayer has been a weak point for some buyers.
4. Spray & Forget House & Deck Outdoor Cleaner Hose End Adapter
The hose-end concentrate that throws a cleaning mist high enough to reach your eaves.
If your brick wall rises two stories, this is the cleaner built for that reach. The hose-end adapter turns your garden hose into a sprayer, and the concentrated quart covers 400-600 square feet — enough to hit the second story with adequate water pressure. It’s for brick walls, decks, fences, driveways, walkways, siding, and stucco, removing algae, mold, and mildew stains with no rinsing required, and one 75-year-old owner happily reports reaching the eaves of a one-story house every year. Reapply every 6-12 months or at the first sign of new staining.
Owners are split down the middle on results, which makes this a fit-note rather than a universal win. Where it works, it’s described as “fantastic,” keeping siding clean and bright year after year and killing moss on asphalt shingles within 24 hours, turning green to brown. Where it doesn’t, buyers call it a waste of money, and one noted white streaks left behind. The sprayer dial can be stiff to turn off, the dead moss lingers until rain washes it away, and wetting down landscaping before and after is recommended to avoid overspray damage.
Ideal for: tall exterior walls and eaves where a trigger bottle can’t reach, especially as an annual maintenance routine.
Think twice if: you need one-pass instant results on heavy staining — this is a slow, weather-dependent cleaner and some buyers see little effect.
5. Simple Green Oxy Solve Total Outdoor Cleaner Concentrate
The peroxide-powered concentrate that cleans up to 6,400 square feet per bottle.
This is the gentle giant of the group. Its peroxide-powered formula is EPA Safer Choice Certified, meaning it cleans wood, vinyl, concrete, brick, and composite surfaces without the harsh chemical smell that comes with bleach-based rivals. You can dilute it, so a single bottle stretches to cover up to 6,400 square feet — the biggest coverage number in this lineup, beating even the Microban’s 4,500 square feet. It’s professional-grade concentrate aimed at homeowners prepping for BBQs, real estate agents staging homes, and contractors finishing jobs.
The real-world reports are striking. One owner watched a neglected concrete retaining wall lighten “at least 4 shades,” and the patio, walkway, and siding all came back to life with no harsh or complicated process. Owners love that it rinses easily, doesn’t need much per job, and carries a pleasant fragrance rather than a chemical punch. For light to moderate grime it’s easy; for deeply embedded stains, a proper foam gun and a second pass may be needed to get the most from the suds.
Why Owners Stick With It
- Gentle peroxide formula, no harsh chemical smell around family
- Huge 6,400 sq ft coverage per bottle when diluted
- Works on brick, wood, vinyl, concrete, and composite
Worth Knowing
- Heavy, decades-old stains may need a stronger pass or foam applicator
- Concentrate means you mix it yourself before use
Choose this for: families who want outdoor cleaning power without worrying about harsh fumes around children and pets.
Pass on it if: you’re fighting heavy oil stains — a degreaser, not a peroxide wash, is the right tool.
6. RMR Complete Mold & Mildew Stain Eraser System
Two specialized sprays in one kit, erasing stains in as little as 15 seconds.
This kit thinks in pairs. It bundles the Tub & Tile formula — a no-scrub cleaner with a foam sprayer that has a front mesh screen — alongside the RMR-86 spray for larger areas, so you get one system for indoor bathrooms and another for decks, siding, brick, wood, and outdoor furniture. Both are pro-strength, made in the USA, and developed by restoration experts, with ready-to-use sprays that eliminate deeply embedded stains in as little as 15 seconds without sanding or harsh abrasion.
The quick-action claims check out in the field. Owners describe scrubbing-failed orange and pink mold vanishing from grout in 15 seconds, six-month-old ceiling stains gone in 15 minutes, and shower mold that survived bleach and vinegar finally eliminated. One buyer calls it “magic,” noting it cleans in seconds. The recurring friction point is odor — it’s strong, though most find it tolerable — and the packaging can arrive rough or leaky. The foam sprayer for Tub & Tile is a nice touch for vertical surfaces that a trigger bottle would run right off.
Grab this kit if: you want one order that covers both your shower grout and your outdoor brick patio with pro-strength, no-scrub formulas.
Keep in mind: the strong scent means open windows indoors, and a few units have arrived with leaky or roughed-up packaging.
7. Rust-Oleum Jomax Spray Once
A bleach-free concentrate that makes 5 gallons and cleans 1,500 square feet.
For anyone who hates the smell and splash risk of bleach, this concentrate is the answer. The formula is applied with a pump-up garden sprayer, works with natural weather conditions over time, and needs no scrubbing or rinsing. One gallon of concentrate makes up to 5 gallons of cleaning solution and cleans up to 1,500 square feet — so a single jug stretches across siding, fences, decks, patios, and roofs with real staying power. Results show up in one to two days and last a season.
Owners praise the nearly zero labor: mix, spray, walk away, and mildew says goodbye. The 3.8-pound gallon is easy to handle, and the slight chemical smell is far milder than bleach. It needs a good shake before use, and you’ll want to protect eyes and skin, wet nearby plants, and avoid spraying on windy or rainy days. Some owners found it seemed weak at first, then noticed real cleaning on vinyl after a week — it rewards patience and multiple passes, though it won’t out-muscle a pressure washer on heavy grime.
Perfect for: big coverage on a budget and anyone who wants bleach-free cleaning that works over days, not seconds.
Note the trade-off: it’s not instant — expect results in 1-2 days, and consider a drill hole in the cap to tame the splashing when you pour.
8. 30 SECONDS Mold and Mildew Stain Remover Battery Powered Spray Wand
A motorized wand that makes instant stain removal as easy as pointing and spraying.
This is the closest thing to cheating at outdoor cleaning. The battery-powered spray wand does the pumping for you, and the concentrated formula mixes 1:1 with water for a rapid clean that works on decks, composite surfaces, concrete, bricks, masonry, gutters, siding, canvas, plastic, stucco, fences, and arbors. Results are visible immediately — one owner watched moss vanish from a fence before they even finished spraying the rest of it, and another transformed chairs and tables to “brand new” condition.
Customers note it beats a pressure washer on siding and fence stains, including black mold, with zero scrubbing. Heavy stains need a repeated routine: soak 30 minutes, rinse, let dry, reapply. The formula smells like chlorine bleach and can lighten light-colored fabrics, so test an inconspicuous spot first, and it doesn’t touch brownish-yellow well-water stains. It’s plant and lawn safe when used as directed, breaking down once rinsed into the soil, and the 1.3-gallon tank keeps you spraying for a good while between refills.
The Instant-Gratification Wins
- Battery wand makes application truly hands-free and simple
- Works immediately on mold, mildew, moss, and grime
- Safe around landscaping and lawns when used as directed
Before You Commit
- Heavy stains need repeated 30-minute soak-and-rinse cycles
- Bleach-like smell may lighten light fabrics — test first
- The higher price reflects the motorized wand, not just the cleaner
Buy it for: easy application on fences, siding, and patios where you want instant, visible results without breaking out a pressure washer.
skip it if: you’re fighting oil and grease — this is mildew chemistry, not a degreaser.
9. Zep Driveway, Masonry and Concrete Cleaner and Degreaser Concentrate
The construction-grade degreaser that eats oil, grease, and tire marks for breakfast.
Every other pick on this list chases organic stains like mold and algae. This one is built for a different enemy: petroleum. The construction-grade concentrate tackles tough stains like tire marks, dirt, oil, and grease on concrete, brick, asphalt, pavers, driveways, patios, and walkways. Professionals rely on it for spot cleaning or deep-cleaning extensive surfaces, and a case of 4 gallons means you’re stocked for an entire property, not a single weekend. Apply with a mop or pump sprayer, scrub with a brush or machine, and rinse thoroughly within 10 minutes.
When the stain matches the chemistry, the results are dramatic. Owners describe a stubborn grill grease stain on a concrete patio disappearing completely — “magic in that bottle” — and spilled gasoline in a garage cleaned up neatly. A two-year-old painted and sealed garage floor came out beautiful after multiple passes and extra concentration on bad spots. Some buyers found it weak on heavy grime, so pre-treat tough stains before a full-surface clean. Results vary because the formula targets specific stain types, not all grime.
Made for: driveways, garage floors, and patios with oil, grease, and tire marks — the one degreaser in this lineup for petroleum-based stains.
Not its job: killing mold and mildew; and build in extra passes plus a brush for older, heavier staining.
Understanding the Specs
Coverage Area
This is the square footage a bottle or gallon will actually treat, and it varies wildly. A ready-to-use spray like the Spray & Forget covers 150-200 square feet, while concentrates stretch much further — the Microban foaming cleaner manages up to 4,500 square feet and the Simple Green concentrate hits 6,400. If you’re treating a whole house or a long driveway, a concentrate saves you multiple trips to the store and typically costs less per job.
Concentrate vs. Ready-to-Use
Ready-to-use sprays come pre-mixed — spray and go. Concentrates require you to mix with water first (often 1:1, or one gallon making five), which means an extra step but far more value per bottle. The trade-off is convenience versus coverage: a trigger bottle is grab-and-go for a small patio, while a concentrate with a hose-end adapter or pump sprayer is the economical choice for a full exterior.
Action Speed
Cleaners in this category split into two camps. Instant formulas like RMR-86 and the 30 SECONDS wand erase stains in seconds to minutes but tend to have strong fumes and need gloves and ventilation. Slow-release formulas from Spray & Forget and Rust-Oleum Jomax take hours to days or even weeks, working with sun and rain — gentler on you and the environment, but you have to accept the wait.
Chemistry: Bleach vs. Peroxide vs. Degreaser
Bleach-based sprays kill mold and mildew fast but smell harsh and can lighten fabrics. Peroxide formulas like Simple Green Oxy Solve are gentler and EPA Safer Choice Certified, with no harsh chemical smell around kids and pets. Degreasers like Zep are a separate category entirely, built to break down oil and grease rather than organic growth. Match the chemistry to the stain or you’ll be disappointed.
FAQ
Will a mold and mildew remover get oil stains off my brick driveway?
Is a bleach-based brick cleaner safe for my plants and lawn?
Why does my brick still look stained after I sprayed a mildew remover?
How much protective gear do I really need for these cleaners?
What is the difference between a stain remover and a mold killer?
How many square feet will a gallon of brick cleaner cover?
Can I use a pressure washer with these cleaners?
How long do the results from a brick cleaner actually last?
What is the fastest way to clean mold off a brick wall?
Is there a brick cleaner that won’t harm my kids or pets?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
Across the board, the winner is the RMR-86 because it erases mold and mildew stains in seconds with no scrubbing, and tens of thousands of owners confirm it at 4.4 stars. If you want a family-safe concentrate that covers a whole property, grab the Simple Green Oxy Solve. And for oil and grease on a driveway or garage floor, the Zep Driveway and Masonry Cleaner is the one to reach for.
How We Picked
We do not accept paid placement. Every pick is matched to a real buyer and a real use-case; we do not hands-on test units.
Sources & Methodology
Specifications: manufacturer listings and product documentation. Review insights: verified customer reviews, as of August 2026. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.
As an Amazon Associate, The Tools Trunk earns from qualifying purchases. This does not affect which products we feature.