Does Vinegar Kill Mold and Mildew? What Works, Wha
Does vinegar kill mildew and mold?
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.