Does Vinegar Kill Mold? This article presents to you the truth, myths & how to use it safely at home.
Vinegar is a natural and affordable product found in most homes. So when you find out you have mould in the bathroom or somewhere on the wall, you start thinking of vinegar. But can vinegar kill the mould? Or is it just a quick fix?
We’ll take a closer look at the interaction of vinegar and mould in this guide. We’ll separate facts from myths and see how vinegar affects mould. You’ll also learn where vinegar works and where it doesn’t and how to use it safely without making things worse.
And most importantly, we’ll tell you why vinegar is not enough and why mould will come back if you only use DIY solutions. Although vinegar is good for small surface mould, bigger issues require professional help.
Does Vinegar Kill Mould? The Truth
Now we can get to the big question: Does Vinegar Kill Mould?
Yes, vinegar will kill some of the mould. White distilled vinegar has a weak acid that can destroy the spores of moulds on most surfaces. Research shows that vinegar kills about 80% of the mould species.
But vinegar is not enough to kill all kinds of mould. It is not able to destroy moulds that go deep inside walls, ceilings, carpets or wood.
This is the reason why you can treat small spots of mould in your bathroom or your kitchen using vinegar but you cannot treat larger mould.
Common Myths About Vinegar and Mould
Many believe that vinegar is a mould miracle cleaner. We should bust some of the myths.
Myth 1: Vinegar kills all mould instantly.
False. Only surface moulds are killed by vinegar and not all moulds.
Myth 2: Vinegar helps to remove mould stains.
Not always. Vinegar will dissolve the stains but you will find them to be dark.
Myth 3: Vinegar will stop the reoccurrence of mould.
Mould will develop unless you fix your wetness issue. Vinegar doesn’t stop future mould growth.
Myth 4: Vinegar works better when mixed with bleach.
The vinegar and the bleach should not be mixed. It emits poisonous emissions which are harmful to your lungs.
Knowing these myths will help you know what vinegar can and cannot do with mould.
How to Kill Mold with Vinegar.
Vinegar can be used if you have a minor mold issue like spots on tiles, sinks or glass. Here’s how.
What You Need:
- What You Need:
- White undiluted vinegar.
- A spray bottle
- A scrub brush or sponge
Steps:
- Pour undiluted vinegar into a spray bottle. Don’t mix it with water.
- Spray the vinegar directly onto the moldy area.
- Let it sit at least 1 hour. This enables the vinegar to decompose the mold.
- Scrub the area with a brush or sponge.
- Wipe it clean with warm water.
- Let the area dry completely. Mold thrives in moisture and so the surface must not be wet.
It should be applied to hard surfaces that do not soak such as tiles, glass or metal. Vinegar is not likely to solve the issue when the mold occurs on wood, drywall or fabric.
Where Vinegar Works Best Against Mold
- Inside and outside your bathrooms-shower, tiles, glass doors, and sinks.
- It works well too in your kitchen area (in and out), countertops, sinks, and on your tiles.
- In your laundry rooms, where you are washing and you can use it even in your machines.
- You can also apply it on your windows, on the glass surface.
These are areas where vinegar can be used since the mold tends to stay on the surface.
Where Vinegar Doesn’t Work
Vinegar doesn’t work with every type of mold. It fails in some places:
– Walls and ceilings: Mold hides inside drywall or plaster.\
- Carpets and upholstery: Vinegar can’t penetrate the fibers.\
- Wood: Mold can penetrate deep into the wood fibers and therefore vinegar is weak.
Vinegar can only remove the surface in such places and the mold will grow back in no time.
Will Vinegar Keep Mold Away?
One way we ask this question is: Can vinegar kill the mold forever? No, vinegar does not help keep the place mold-free when the place is damp. To stop mould you must stop moisture: stop leaks, increase ventilation and cut healthy moisture out of your home. Vinegar is also able to clean and hence, not a long-lasting solution to the problem of mould.
Vinegar Substitutes
Other people try other home remedies. Here are a few:
- – Baking soda: Good for light cleaning and odor removal.* – Hydrogen peroxide: Stronger than vinegar for some molds.
- – Commercial mold cleaners: These are meant to prevent and kill mould even more.
But with them too, same principle applies: effective only for minor mold on surface.
DIY Mold Cleaning Is Not Always Enough
Vinegar will delay the appearance of mold but it’s not always safe to rely on home fixes. Here’s why:
- You think the mold is gone but it may still be hiding in walls.
- Mold spores are super easy to spread and can reach other parts of your house.
- When you have a big mold issue it can destroy your property and harm your health.
That’s why the pros always recommend professional help when the mold issue is not just a few small spots.
When to Call a Pro
When you see any of the following then it’s time to call a mold remediation service instead of using vinegar alone:
- – Mold is more than 10 square feet.
- – Mold returns to previous cleaning.
- – You notice a wall, ceiling or wood, that has mould on it.
- – You scent a musty odour and fail to locate the mould.
- – You or your family are getting sick from mold.
Mold pros have equipment and solutions that are way more powerful than homemade or vinegar.
They are able to identify mold that is hidden and get rid of it in the easiest and painless manner and ensure that it does not reoccur again.
FAQs
Does vinegar kill all the surface-mold?
Not always. Vinegar is most effective on hard and non-porous surfaces; this includes glass, tiles, metal or plugged countertops. Vinegar may not get to the deepest roots of the mold on porous surface such as wood, drywall, or carpets. This implies that it is able to eliminate surface mold but not prevent reappearance. The only solution might be in those situations to have professional cleaning done or to substitute the material.
Does vinegar remove better than bleach in the removal of molds?
There is a widespread impression that the vinegar is weaker than bleach. Although bleach is effective when it comes to killing the surface mold, it cannot reach deep layers and particularly in porous surface. Vinegar penetrates a little more, and consequently is less unhealthy. Bleach can emit powerful fumes that end up getting into the skin, eyes and lungs. Vinegar also forms a strong smell but it dissipates easily and it does not emit dangerous chemicals. This is why vinegar will make a safer alternative to most households.
How to kill mold safely with vinegar?
Using vinegar is easy. Fill water in spray bottle and don’t mix with vinegar. Spray on the moldy area and let it dry for at least an hour. Then wipe or brush wipe the surface and clean with water. To get better result you can repeat the use of vinegar again after cleaning and let it dry in the air. When cleaning put on gloves and make sure there is good air circulation in the room.
Will vinegar stop mold from coming back?
Vinegar will slow down the growth of mold someday and is not a permanent fix. Where the damp condition persists the mold will come back. To prevent it from coming back you must fix the leaks, improve ventilation and maintain a dry surface. Preventive cleaning Vinegar can also be used to clean wet parts of the body such as kitchen sink or shower wall by wiping them available every week.
Does vinegar kill black mold?
Black mold (also known as Stachybotrys) is worse than household mold. Vinegar can be used to combat some of the vinegar on the surface but perhaps not enough if the mold is extensive or has penetrated deep into walls, wood or ceiling. Black mold also emits spores that affects breathing and health and if you see a big reach of it, vinegar will not be enough. In this case it is more safe to call a company that can handle mold removal.
Call a Professional Mold Remediation Service
When mold is making you or your family sick, don’t take chances.
Reach out to a professional mold clean-up service now.
They will:
- Find the hidden mold
- Erase it with safe products and tools
- Filter the air
- Fix the dampness issues
- Make your home safe again
Trying to do it yourself can be dangerous and even spread the mold further. The professionals know how to work with it safely and thoroughly.
It’s safer and more affordable…
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Conclusion
Does vinegar kill mold? Yes, but only a little. Tiles, sink or glass that has small spots of mold can be washed with vinegar.
It can’t kill all mold or deep mold in walls, wood or fabrics. Most people think vinegar is the solution to all mold which is not the case. Vinegar can clean but not cure permanently.
Vinegar works for small spots of mold. When mold is big or comes back don’t rely on vinegar. Call a professional mold removal company; this is the best and safest way to protect your home and health.
