Did you know that dampness and mold account for more than $17 billion in health-related costs?
Well, molds tend to grow on surfaces with a lot of moisture or ones that are prone to flooding.
You can find mold growing on your upholstery, fabric, drywall, insulation, wallpaper, and even paints, among other surfaces.
One of the remedies homeowners use when killing mold is vinegar.
But does vinegar really kill mold as it is purported? The answer is yes, based on the degree of mold infestation on your property.
The primary purpose of vinegar is to preserve and add taste and aroma to food.
Find out more in this guide about how this solution can help combat mold in your home and what to expect.
Does Vinegar Kill Mold?
Household white vinegar boasts antibacterial and antifungal properties that make it an inexpensive remedy for mold.
It is partly made up of acetic acid, an averagely strong acid with a 2.5 pH. The acidity in vinegar helps stop the growth of different types of fungi, molds included.
As a preservative, vinegar can help disrupt mold infestation on fruits. However, you need to use it cautiously to avoid food poisoning.
Wash the fruit thoroughly before consumption since vinegar can inflame the stomach, trigger acid reflux, and erode tooth enamel.
Household white vinegar is only a good mold removal remedy if the area is less than 10 square feet.
Don’t hesitate to call a mold testing and removal expert when dealing with mold that has spread over a large area or its been located in multiple areas of your property.
Where to Use Vinegar to Remove Mold
You can use white vinegar to remove small mold patches from your drywall.
However, take caution as you scrub the surface to avoid damaging the surface underneath.
Vinegar is considered more effective than bleach as a mold removal remedy since bleach doesn’t kill the mold underneath the drywall.
Cleaning your concrete surfaces with vinegar is a good idea if you want a natural cleaner.
However, you need to keep plants or turf grass away because vinegar can damage these plants.
For this solution to work on concrete, you need to let it sit for about half an hour before scrubbing it off. If you leave it on for too long, and it will result in corrosion.
Where You Shouldn’t Use Vinegar to Remove Mold
Since vinegar is quite acidic and therefore it can damage some surfaces on your property.
The solution can also dull the appearance of these surfaces, lowering their visual appeal.
Avoid using vinegar to clean countertops made of limestone and marble.
This can help prevent etching and a faded appearance on these surfaces.
Vinegar can break down the elegant protective finish on your wooden floors.
It may also affect the anti-glare properties of some electronic screens and the touch functionality of touch-screen devices.
To prevent corrosion, you shouldn’t clean surfaces made of copper, aluminum, or stainless steel with this solution.
The same applies to absorbent or porous surfaces such as carpets and ceiling tiles.
What You’ll Need
Identify the moisture problem that caused the mold growth and figure out the ways to solve it.
Dealing with the source of your mold problem will prevent the likelihood of the mold growing back. A water damage specialist can help you address the issue and help you get rid of the mold permanently.
After fixing the water problem, determine the best next steps.
If you want to take the time to take it on yourself, you’ll need to gather some essential supplies.
The supplies include undiluted white vinegar (with not less than 5 percent acetic acid), a face mask or respirator, and non-porous gloves.
Other essentials include protective eyewear, a soft brush, a cleaning rag, and a spray bottle not to mention other items.
Cleaning Instructions
Always work in a properly ventilated room for health reasons, and to get rid of the pungent smell of the vinegar.
You should also put on properly-fitting gloves, goggles, and a protective mask. Once you satisfy these conditions, you are ready to start.
First, pour the undiluted white vinegar into a clean spray bottle. Then gently spray it onto the surface affected by mold growth.
Leave the solution to sit on the surface for an hour at maximum.
After it settles, scrub the surface with a soft-bristle brush until the mold residues start coming off. Use a thicker brush if you are working on a rougher surface.
Once you finish scrubbing, use a clean rag to dry the area. This tactic is only effective for mold growth in very small, manageable areas.
If it takes you longer to remove mold from the surfaces, chances are that the problem requires expert intervention.
When to Seek Professional Help
Knowing when to seek professional help when faced with a mold problem in your home is crucial.
While vinegar may help deal with small issues and less stubborn molds, it may not be effective or practical in areas with a big mold problem.
Also, the longer you wait to seek professional help, the higher the damage repair will cost.
This DIY mold removal tactic can never replace or compete with expert mold removal services. Like other DIY tactics, it takes time, effort, and resources to plan and execute.
So, hiring an expert is a great idea if your schedule can’t accommodate this kind of work.
When removing small mold issues in your home with white vinegar, your reach may also be limited. Furthermore, if mold spreads to your HVAC system, only a professional can fix this problem.
Need a Professional Mold Removal Service?
Getting rid of molds once you notice them in your home can help prevent respiratory illnesses and potential property damage.
We hope this guide answered questions such as “does vinegar kill mold” and “what are its restrictions?”
Certified Mold Removal Inc. is always at your service when you need mold inspection, testing, remediation, and removal services.
You can seek any of these services from us. We service New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.
Get started by scheduling a mold inspection and learn more about how to kill mold.
Are you concerned about mold in your home or office? Call the trusted mold inspection company in NJ and request same day mold testing in NJ, NY, PA & CT. Our team of experts has been assisting home owners with mold testing and remediation since 1995.
Call (201) 773-1466 or submit a contact request online today!
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