Can You Get Rid of Mold Using Vinegar?

Vinegar has antifungal and antibacterial properties, and it can be a cheap and effective treatment for many types of mold.

Household white vinegar typically contains about 5 to 8 percent acetic acid. Acetic acid is a moderately strong acid with a pH of around 2.5 that can disrupt the growth of a wide range of fungi and other microorganisms.

Research has found that vinegar is effective at preventing mold growth on fruit and at removing some common household molds, but it isn’t effective at killing every type of mold.

In a 2015 study, researchers found that vinegar made out of 4- to 4.2-percent vinegar acetic acid was effective at treating Penicillium chrysogenum but not Aspergillus fumigatus. Both are common household molds.

If you find vinegar doesn’t help you get rid of the mold in your house, you can try one of the other cleaners we’ll look at in this article or call a professional.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends getting a professional cleaner if the covered area is larger than 10 square feet or roughly a 3-foot by 3-foot square.

You can safely use vinegar on a wide range of surfaces, but we’ll look at some specific surfaces on which you should avoid using vinegar.

Does vinegar kill mold on drywall?

You can safely use vinegar to kill mold on drywall. However, be careful when scrubbing not to damage the surface underneath.

Does vinegar kill mold on concrete?

Vinegar usually isn’t recommended to kill mold on concrete. Although it’s unlikely to harm the concrete itself, it may damage the surrounding cement.

Does vinegar kill mold on leather?

Vinegar can be used to kill mold on leather. Anecdotally, many recommend diluting vinegar with a 1:1 ratio of water. You can apply the vinegar mix to a cloth to avoid over-moisturizing and potentially damaging the leather.

Vinegar’s acidity has the potential to damage some types of surfaces in your home. Don’t use vinegar on:

• Stone countertops. Vinegar can dull and etch some stone surfaces like marble and limestone.
• Wooden floors. Flooring manufacturers often include warnings not to clean wooden floors with vinegar since it has the potential to break down the protective finish.
• Electronic screens. Vinegar has the potential to damage the anti-glare properties of some screens and may interfere with a touch screen.
• Some types of metals. Vinegar may corrode certain types of metals like aluminum and copper. It’s often not recommended on stainless steel.
• Porous surfaces. Vinegar is unlikely to be effective at cleaning mold out of porous or absorbent surfaces. If you notice mold on ceiling tiles or carpet, you’ll likely need to replace them.

Before you clean the mold, it’s important to address the moisture problem that led to the mold growth in the first place. If you get rid of the mold without targeting the moisture, it will almost certainly grow back.

Once you’ve fixed the moisture problem, here’s how you can use vinegar to remove the mold.

What you’ll need:

• undiluted white vinegar with at least 5 percent acetic acid
• non-porous gloves
• face mask
• protective eyewear
• spray bottle
• cleaning rag
• soft brush

Instructions:

1. If possible, open a window to help ventilate the room you’re working in.
2. Put on your protective mask, goggles, and gloves.
3. Pour the undiluted vinegar into a spray bottle. Spray it directly onto the moldy surface.
4. Let the vinegar sit for at least an hour.
5. Using a brush with soft bristles, scrub the moldy surface until the mold comes off. If you’re scrubbing a rougher surface you might need a thicker brush.
6. Dry the area completely with a clean rag and throw away the used rag and brush.

Vinegar is one of several DIY options for getting rid of mold. We’ll take a look at three other cleaners you can use to get rid of mold below. We’ve omitted bleach from the list even though it has the potential to help you manage mold on hard surfaces.

Even though many people use bleach to get rid of mold, prolonged exposure to bleach fumes can irritate your lungs, skin, and eyes. People with respiratory conditions like asthma may be particularly sensitive to the fumes.

Even though vinegar is often an effective mold cleaner, there are many other household cleaners you can use. Here are a few other DIY options.

Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil comes from the leaves of a small tree that originates in Australia called Melaleuca alternifolia. Tea tree oil contains a number of chemicals including terpinen-4-ol that has antimicrobial properties.

In a 2015 study, researchers found that tea tree oil was more effective at inhibiting mold growth than vinegar, alcohol, and two types of commercial mold cleaners.

To use tea oils, try mixing a teaspoon of oil with about a cup of water.

Hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is commonly used to disinfect open wounds due to its antimicrobial activity. It also has the potential to inhibit mold growth in your home.

In one study, researchers examined the effects of hydrogen peroxide and several other disinfectants on six common types of fungi found indoors. The researchers concluded that hydrogen peroxide has the potential to disinfect fungi on hard surfaces but is unlikely to be effective on porous surfaces.

To clean mold with hydrogen peroxide, you can apply standard 3-percent hydrogen peroxide directly on the mold with a spray bottle. Let it sit for at least 10 minutes and scrub off.

Baking soda

Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, has antimicrobial properties that give it the potential to kill household molds and mildews.

In a 2017 study, researchers found that sodium bicarbonate was effective at controlling powdery mildew grow on hazelnuts.

To use baking soda to kill mold in your home, try making a paste by mixing it with water and applying it directly to the moldy area. Let it sit for at least 10 minutes before scrubbing off.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you can clean small areas like a section of a wall the size of a door or your shower yourself. However, if you have mold in a larger area, it’s a good idea to get professional help. You may also need to hire a professional cleaner if the mold has penetrated your heating, air conditioning, or ventilation system.

Mold thrives in moist areas and you can often find it around pipes, leaks, or windows. The best way to keep prevent mold from growing is to minimize moisture in your home.

• Regularly inspect your home. Look for signs of water damage or visible mold. Fix any leaky pipes or leaks in your roof that can cause water to accumulate.
• Keep humidity levels under control. Consider using a dehumidifier in damp areas like a basement. Humidity levels between 30 to 50 percent are ideal for avoiding mold.
• Keep your home ventilated. Use fans in your kitchen and bathroom.
• Repair or replace leaking windows. Fixing your windows regularly will help you prevent mold growth around the frame.
• Immediately dry your home after a flood. To avoid mold growth, it’s best to dry your home 24 to 48 hours after flooding.
• Add mold inhibitors to paint. Many home improvement stores sell mold inhibitors you can add to paints.

If you notice mold in your home, it’s important to remove it right away since inhaling mold spores can contribute to numerous health issues. Vinegar has the potential to kill many types of household mold in your home. However, if you’re dealing with particularly large areas of mold or mold in your ventilation system, it’s a good idea to call a professional to help you deal with it.