Does vinegar kill mold? Put this affordable pantry staple to work with this essential step-by-step guide

The appearance of mold anywhere in our homes is a worrying sign, and it needs to be treated quickly and safely to stop the spread. So, does vinegar kill mold?

This unassuming pantry staple is a cleaning superpower, with an acidic formula high enough to kill most mold spores without adding more toxins to your home.

However, there are a few important caveats to note before exploring how to get rid of black mold with vinegar – here’s how the experts do it.

Does vinegar kill mold?

The good news is yes, white vinegar will remove most common types of household mold. As Michael Golubev, CEO of Mold Busters, explains, ‘Vinegar is a versatile, eco-friendly, and effective solution for preventing and treating mold in the home. Its natural properties make it a safer alternative to harsh chemicals, suitable for regular use in maintaining a mold-free environment.’

This is because white vinegar is known for its antifungal and antibacterial properties, according to the National Library of Medicine.

For vinegar to be effective at cleaning mold off walls and other household surfaces, Robert Weitz, principal and founder of RTK Environmental Groupadds, ‘Vinegar should have an acidity of 5% or higher.’ The acetic acid content of vinegar creates an inhospitable environment for mold growth and disrupts its structure.

That being said, there are some caveats to using vinegar to kill mold.

Robert adds, ‘Vinegar can kill some types of mold and may be used on smaller surface areas (less than 10 sq. ft.). It’s usually about 80% effective. However, vinegar does not kill all types of mold. Some species, such as Aspergillus, may not be fully eliminated by vinegar.’ It is also important to note that you must leave vinegar on the mold for well over one hour for the vinegar to have an effect.

We recommend using the top-rated 365 by Whole Foods Market Organic White Distilled Vinegar available at Amazon, as it's USDA-certified Organic with a 5% acidity, and is rated five stars by 85% of shoppers.

What you will need

• White distilled vinegar or 6% cleaning vinegar, available at Walmart
• A spray bottle, to apply the vinegar. A glass spray bottle, from Walmart, is easier to clean and reuse again
• A cleaning brush, such as the up&up scrubbing brush, from Tarrget, for scrubbing mold away
• N-95 mask, from The Home Depot, or a comparable face mask, as breathing in mold can be harmful, as spores may trigger allergic reactions and respiratory problems
• Safety goggles, available at The Home Depot, as molds can cause a number of eye infections, such as Keratitis
• Cleaning gloves, from Target, to prevent irritation, rashes, and inflammation that can be caused by contact between mold and your skin

How to use vinegar to kill mold

For hard surfaces:

1. Check the surface type: Although vinegar is safer to use than most cleaning chemicals, the high acidity means that it can damage some natural surfaces, such as natural, unsealed stone, hardwood, and some metals. Mold on these surfaces should be treated by a professional to prevent lasting damage.
2. Use protective gear and ventilate: Before treating mold with vinegar, improve ventilation by opening windows and doors. Don cleaning gloves to protect your skin, and use a mask, such as an N95 mask from Lowes, to protect your airways from spores.
3. Apply undiluted vinegar: To kill mold in a small area, Robert says, 'Pour the vinegar into a spray bottle and spray it directly onto the area, fully saturating the mold, and let it sit for at least an hour before you scrub the area with a bristle brush to remove it.'
   Shania C. Knighton, PhD, RNm CIC, research associate professor at Case Western Reserve University, adds, 'That sitting time matters because it gives the vinegar a chance to kill the mold and slow down anything trying to grow back.'
4. Rinse the area: To remove the vinegar from the wall, use a disposable sponge, such as these compostable cellulose sponges from Walmart, or a paper towel dampened with water to wipe the area. Dispose of these immediately after to avoid spreading the spores around.
5. Treat staining: Sometimes, cleaning mold with vinegar will leave behind residual staining. To treat this, Shania shares, 'If there are stains left behind, I mix a little baking soda with water and apply it to the area before scrubbing.' The Mr. Siga Grout Cleaning Brushes from Walmart are perfect for this task.
6. Dry completely: To prevent the mold from returning, you need to dry the area thoroughly. This can be done by manually drying the area with a towel and leaving windows open to improve air flow. Alternatively, invest in one of the best dehumidifiers to help reduce humidity in a house, dry out the area, and prevent mold from returning in the future.

To wash mold out of clothes:

1. Brush off spores outside: Wearing protective gear such as gloves and an N95 mask, take the moldy fabric outside and brush off the loose spores.
2. Wash hot with vinegar: Check the laundry symbols on your fabric's care tag and wash the item on the hottest wash setting possible, adding one cup of white vinegar to the detergent drawer.
3. Treat staining: With the mold removed in the laundry cycle, you can treat any lingering stains by cleaning with oxygen bleach. Oxygen bleach, such as Oxyclean, from Walmart, is safe for use on both whites and dyed fabrics, removes odors, and is less toxic than traditional bleach. Simply soak the garment in warm water and a scoop of the powder for at least one hour and up to overnight before washing on a normal cycle again.
4. Dry completely: After treating stains, allow the fabric to dry completely, preferably reaping the benefits of air-drying laundry and hanging the item in the sun. The UV rays can further kill spores and lighten staining for a near-new item.

Vinegar versus bleach to kill mold

Although bleach might sound more powerful than white vinegar, the EPA does not recommend using bleach to kill mold. This is because bleach does not soak in to kill the root of the mold, only working at a surface level to remove discoloration.

Plus, as Marilee Nelson, the Chemical Expert and Environment Consultant and Co-Founder of Branch Basics explains, 'Bleach is a chlorine-based corrosive substance that is poisonous if it is inhaled, swallowed, or comes into contact with your skin in certain amounts.'

Marilee explains that leach fumes have been shown to immediately irritate the mucous membranes of the nose and throat, which could cause problems over time.'

Cleaning expert Steve Elliott, the Franchise Owner of Restoration 1 Minnetonka concurs, reiterating, 'Vinegar does a better job. I recommend using white vinegar, readily available at Target, to kill mold, so you get to the root cause, the membrane, and not only eliminate it from the surface.'

FAQs

Does vinegar kill all types of mold?

While vinegar is effective on many types of mold, especially the most common types of household molds like Cladosporium, it cannot kill every type of mold, according to a study from 2015.

It is highly effective at getting rid of Penicillium chrysogenum, which is most commonly found in damp areas, but not Aspergillus fumigatus, which is typically found in plant matter and soil. While the former is most commonly found in homes, contact an expert if you have any doubts about the specific type of mold you’re dealing with, if you have an extensive mold infestation or toxic black mold to ensure safe and complete removal.

Can I mix vinegar with other cleaning agents for better results?

It's important not to mix vinegar with bleach or hydrogen peroxide. These are cleaning products you should never combine, as they can produce harmful chlorine gas together.

Vinegar works well on its own or diluted with water, but you could also add a few drops of essential oils like tea tree or lavender. These have antifungal properties and can enhance the vinegar's ability to fight mold.

Meet the experts

Robert Weitz

Robert Weitz is an environmental testing expert. He’s also a certified microbial investigator and principal at RTK Environmental Group, a leader in the field of testing and consulting in mold, lead, asbestos, VOCs, water, soil, radon, and indoor air quality. 

Shanina C. Knighton, PhD

Dr. Shanina Knighton is an adjunct associate professor at Case Western Reserve University’s Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing and a nationally recognized nurse scientist and infection preventionist. With board certification in infection control, her work focuses on making infection prevention personal, practical, and equitable in both clinical settings and everyday life.

Marilee Nelson

Marilee Nelson is a Texas-based Environmental Consultant and co-founder of Branch Basics. She started Branch Basics after learning how much harmful chemicals in our products and food influence our health. She found that cleaners and laundry detergents have a major impact on a home's air quality. Marilee is on a mission to inspire, motivate and empower people to take proactive charge of their health and experience the transforming power of creating a truly healthy home and diet.

The EPA states that if the moldy area is larger than 10 square feet, it is a sign to call in the pros. Additionally, the EPA suggests making sure the professionals you hire are well-versed in dealing with mold eradication and water damage to make sure the problem is completely taken care of and not worsened or spread.