Mold, also known as mildew, is a type of fungi that develops in a damp environment in and around your home. In your home, the areas that are the breeding grounds for mold are shower walls, windowsills, and other areas that remain dump.
While mold is important for the decomposition of organic elements like leaves and plant debris, it can lead to several health concerns in your home, including allergy, breathing problems, and asthma. Luckily, many household products can remove mold. And one of them is vinegar.
DOES VINEGAR KILL MOLD?
So, does vinegar kill mold? Well, White vinegar is often considered an effective remedy to kill mold. It is basically a mild acid that can kill nearly 80 percent of mold species. Besides, it can prevent mold growth in the future. So, yes, it can kill mold.
Vinegar is equipped with several antifungal and antibacterial properties. It has a strong acetic acid that has a strong pH value of 2.5, making it efficient for killing and preventing the growth of mold, fungi, and other micro-organisms.
According to one study, vinegar can prevent mold growth on fruit and remove some common molds found in the houses. However, it is not effective to kill every type of mold.
A 2015 study confirms that vinegar made out of 4-4.2% of vinegar acetic acid can remove household molds such as Penicillium chrysogenum. However, it is found to be INEFFECTIVE against Aspergillus fumigatus, another common household mold.
WHERE TO USE VINEGAR TO REMOVE MOLD AND MILDEW
How to clean mold?
Vinegar is ideal for most surfaces including wood. However, read the manufacturer’s instructions before cleaning wooden floors with vinegar as it can harm the finish.
Drywell:
Use vinegar to remove mold. Avoid scrubbing otherwise it can damage the surface underneath.
Concrete:
what kills mold and mildew? Although vinegar for mold can be safe for concrete, it can harm the surrounding cement.
Leather:
Use distilled vinegar for cleaning all kinds of mold on leather.
BUT DON’T USE VINEGAR ON THESE SURFACES
The intense acidic nature of vinegar makes it harmful for some types of surfaces such as…
- Stone countertops
- Wooden floors, wood furniture, and other wood surfaces.
- Electronic Screens
- Metals like Copper and Aluminum
- Porous or Absorbent Surfaces such as Ceiling Tiles or Carpet.
HOW TO CLEAN MOLD AND PREVENT ITS GROWTH WITH VINEGAR
Before you start, make sure to keep these supplies handy
- White Vinegar
- Empty Spray Bottle
- Mask, Gloves, and Goggles
- Scrub Brush or Scouring Pad
First of All, Wear Mask, Gloves, and Goggles
Direct exposure to mold can risk your health. On top of that, vinegar’s acidic nature can irritate the skin. Therefore, wear gloves, goggles or safety glasses, and a mask to cover the nose and mouth.
Pour White Vinegar into the Bottle:
Does white vinegar kill mold? The answer is yes – it does.
Transfer white vinegar into the empty spray bottle. Spray on the mold directly, fully covering it with the vinegar, and leave the vinegar there for at least an hour. Make sure the vinegar is completely absorbed by the mold.
Scrub Away the Mold:
Use a brush with soft bristles to scrub the moldy part until the mold comes off. For a rougher surface, make sure to use a thicker brush. Make sure you are still equipped with your mask, gloves, and eyewear while doing this. After scrubbing, rinse the spot with warm water. Dry the area using a clean rug. Make sure to throw away the brush and rag after the process.
Give it a Final Spray
After rinsing and scrubbing the moldy surface, give it one last vinegar spray. Let it dry. This last spray will eliminate any left-out mold and prevent their growth as well. The strong vinegar odor will away on its own after an hour or two.
How to Prevent the Mold Growth with Vinegar
Vinegar not only removes mold but also prevents future mold growth. Always, keep a spray bottle and spray the surfaces every few days. You can mop the floors with vinegar to prevent mold growth in damp areas. (Note: vinegar might not be ideal for certain floors like hardwood floors. Please consult your manufacturers or refer to the user manual.)
A WORD OF CAUTION
Ideal bleach to water ratio for mold?
Well, avoid mixing vinegar with bleach as this mixture can create toxic chlorine gas. Don’t mix vinegar with hydrogen peroxide as it can create a toxic chemical (peracetic acid) that can irritate the skin and eyes.
WHEN YOU SHOULD CALL A PROFESSIONAL FOR MOLD REMOVAL
White vinegar is an effective household remedy to remove mold, it might not be effective every time, especially if your house has a large or certain kind of mold.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), one should call a professional cleaner if the mold affected area is larger than 10 square feet or roughly a 3-foot by 3-foot square.
In such a situation, you can call Ecoverde Maids house cleaning services backed by experienced professionals and reasonable rates.
