How to Clean Mold with Vinegar (2024)

Tiny, invisible mold spores float through the air in your home. Although that’s not exactly a comforting thought—they’re harmless. The problem occurs when mold spores land on a wet surface and begin to grow. If you find mold while cleaning your bathroom or another moist area, you should remove it immediately. And thanks to its acidity, white vinegar can help with that. Here’s everything you need to know about how to clean mold with vinegar.

Is vinegar more effective than bleach?

The Environmental Protection Agency does not recommend using bleach to kill or remove mold, except in special circ*mstances. In most cases, “a background level of mold spores will remain” after the application of bleach. Instead, the EPA advises you should “scrub mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water, and dry completely.”

The CDC, however, lists bleach as an option for cleaning up mold along with soap and water. If you do use bleach, the CDC recommends a solution of no more than one cup of household laundry bleach in one gallon of water.

So what about vinegar? In two studies from 2021, vinegar was found to significantly reduce mold growth on strawberries and canvas material. Vinegar contains acetic acid, which has antifungal and antibacterial properties, so it’s a good choice if you want a natural and nontoxic alternative to bleach or other detergents.

Note: Remember to never mix vinegar and bleach. They are just one of many pairs of cleaning products you should never mix together.

What kind of vinegar should you use?

First, save the apple cider vinegar for salad dressing. To clean mold, use regular white distilled vinegar, typically sold with 5% acidity. You can also use “cleaning vinegar” with 6% acidity. Both are effective at killing mold. You can find cleaning vinegar online and at many home improvement, discount and grocery stores.

How long does it take for vinegar to kill mold?

Depending on the amount of mold covering the surface you’re cleaning, let the vinegar sit on the mold for at least one hour before wiping or scrubbing.

How to Use Vinegar to Clean Mold

Touching mold and breathing in mold spores can be harmful to your health. To protect yourself when cleaning mold, wear gloves, an N95 mask and goggles. Gloves also prevent any skin irritation from the vinegar.

Tools

• Spray bottle
• Distilled white vinegar
• Scrub brush or sponge
• Microfiber cloth
• Protective gear (gloves, N95 mask, eye protection)

Directions

Step 1: Remove surface mold

Use a dry microfiber cloth to scrub away loose mold and any surface debris from the moldy area.

Step 2: Apply vinegar

Pour undiluted vinegar into a spray bottle. Spray the vinegar on the mold, fully saturating the area to be cleaned. Let it sit for one hour.

Step 3: Scrub the mold away

Using a scrub brush, scrub vigorously to remove any remnants of mold. Wipe with a damp cloth to rinse off any remaining vinegar.

Step 4: Dry

Mold spores grow where moisture is present, so it’s essential to let the area fully dry after cleaning up mold. Use a fan or open windows to help with the drying process.

When to Get a Professional’s Help

You can clean small amounts of mold with vinegar yourself, but be aware of when you should call professionals. Besides a crisis, such as a flooded home, the EPA advises hiring professionals when the moldy patch covers about 10 square feet or larger.

How to Prevent Mold from Growing in Your Home

Moisture control is the key to preventing mold from growing in your home. According to the EPA, indoor humidity should ideally be between 30% and 50%. You can test your home’s humidity level with a moisture or humidity meter.

Other preventive measures include: Run the bathroom fan when showering, use the exhaust fan over your stove, clean your kitchen regularly, clean and repair roof gutters regularly, dry condensation collecting on windows, and generally increase ventilation or air movement in your home by opening doors and windows and using fans as needed.

When Not to Use Vinegar to Kill Mold

Because of vinegar’s acidity, it can damage some surfaces. We don’t recommend using vinegar on natural stone, waxed wood, cast iron or aluminum.