Household mold can be a nightmarish scenario. Not only can it cause structural damage to your home, it can also put your and your family's health at risk.
You could experience an allergic reaction, eye, nose, and throat irritation, and even nosebleeds and headaches. In extreme cases, you can even develop asthma or lung infections due to increased exposure to household mold.
There’s a lot of information out there that tells you how to get rid of mold in your home using everyday household products. Bleach and vinegar are the two products at the top of that list.
But can bleach or vinegar kill mold? Let’s take a look at what products can actually kill mold and how you can use them effectively in your home.
Does Bleach Kill Mold?
No, bleach does not kill mold.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not recommend using bleach to kill or remove mold. The idea that bleach can kill mold is a myth! In reality, bleach only kills surface mold, not the membrane that lives underneath the black, fuzzy growth. This mold membrane is where the heart of the problem truly lies.
If you try using bleach to kill mold, it will usually return with a vengeance. The chemical structure of bleach makes it unable to penetrate porous surfaces like drywall or wood. This means that mold membranes will retreat deeper into whatever surface they're on to avoid the chemical.
Once first exposed to bleach, the mold recognizes it as a threat and can use it as a fungal food to grow more rapidly. That's right – using bleach to kill mold can feed the problem!
If you want to eradicate mold effectively in your home, bleach won't cut it.
Does Vinegar Kill Mold?
Yes, vinegar can kill mold.
Just because bleach is out doesn't mean you don't already have something in your pantry that can effectively kill mold. That old bottle of vinegar in your cupboard is a powerful tool.
White vinegar is a mild acid known to kill roughly 82 percent of mold species, and it can even help prevent mold outbreaks in the future.
Vinegar can kill mold, while bleach cannot because vinegar has antifungal and antibacterial properties. The acetic acid that is present in vinegar has a decently strong pH of 2.5. Because of this strong pH level, vinegar can disrupt and stop the growth of mold, fungi, and other organisms.
When Should I Hire a Mold Remediation Company?
We established that vinegar can kill mold. But when would you hire a mold remediation company? According to the EPA, you can probably handle the mold clean-up yourself if the affected area is "less than 10 square feet (less than roughly a 3 ft. by 3. ft patch). Hiring a home mold removal expert is recommended if the contaminated area is larger than 10 square feet.
At ServiceMaster Restore, we can effectively kill the mold and remove it from your property. We have the tools and expertise to prevent the spread and ensure that your mold problem is removed effectively.
7 Steps for Using Vinegar to Kill Mold in Your Home
Use vinegar to eradicate small outbreaks of mold by following these simple steps:
- Wear Protective Clothing. Ensure you wear protective gear, including a mask, goggles, and gloves, to protect yourself from direct exposure to mold.
- Prepare the Vinegar Solution. Pour plain, white distilled vinegar into a spray bottle. Because mold is such a resilient force, it's best not to dilute the vinegar.
- Spray the Vinegar. Spray the vinegar directly onto the mold, and let it sit for at least an hour without rinsing or scrubbing so that the vinegar gets completely absorbed by the mold.
- Create a Baking Soda Solution. If scrubbing is necessary, make a baking soda solution to use after the vinegar. Combine 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 2 cups of water in a spray bottle and shake until thoroughly mixed.
- Scrub the Mold. Spray the baking soda solution directly onto the mold and vigorously scrub the area with a scrubbing brush or scouring pad. Safety tip: be sure to use protective gear while scrubbing to prevent direct contact with the mold.
- Rinse the Area. Rinse the area with clean, warm water.
- Prevent Regrowth. Spray the area again with either the vinegar or the baking soda solution and let the chemicals dry naturally to help kill any remaining mold and prevent regrowth. The strong smell of vinegar will naturally fade within a few hours.
Effectiveness of Vinegar to Remove Mold on Different Surfaces
Though vinegar can be an effective tool against mold removal, it can damage certain surfaces.
Here are some common surfaces found throughout the average home and whether it’s safe to use vinegar on them:
Drywall
Does vinegar kill mold on drywall? Using vinegar on drywall can safely kill the mold on the surface. However, scrubbing too hard may cause damage beneath the surface.
Concrete
Vinegar does not harm concrete, though it isn’t an effective way to kill mold. Remember that while concrete will be okay, cement may be damaged.
Leather
Vinegar will kill mold on leather. If you are removing mold from a leather product, it’s common advice to dilute the vinegar with a 1:1 water ratio. Use a cloth to prevent damaging the surface. If you’re unsure if the leather will be damaged, try the vinegar mixture in an inconspicuous area first.
Stone countertops
Vinegar is not recommended for stone countertops as it can dull or even buff surfaces, including marble.
Wooden surfaces
For wooden surfaces, such as hardwood floors, it is also not recommended that vinegar be used to kill mold. Vinegar can strip the surface of its protective finish or paint.
Porous Surfaces
Vinegar isn’t effective at killing mold from porous surfaces. Carpet and fabric are considered porous surfaces, so you’ll likely need to call a professional or replace them to remove the mold.
Metal
Because of its acidity level, vinegar will likely corrode many types of metals. Vinegar should not be used when cleaning metals like copper, aluminum, and stainless steel.
Call ServiceMaster Restore For Mold Remediation Help
Mold remediation is essential for homes if it is widespread or dangerous. If the mold growing in your home is too severe or pervasive to handle on your own, it's time to call for professional help.
Protect your home and health from damaging infestations with the experts at ServiceMaster Restore. Call 1-800-RESPOND today or find your nearest ServiceMaster Restore location to see how we can help you with your mold needs. Our experts can also help you remediate the problem and prevent any long-term damage to your home.