What can you use to kill mold instantly? You can use common household acids and cleaning products, such as alcohol, bleach, hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, lemons, and vinegar to eliminate black mold, mildew, and shower scum from your kitchen, shower, and bathroom. Some products are better than others, though, so keep reading to find out which products are the most effective.
Can I Remove Black Mold Myself?
You can safely clean black mold from your home as long as the affected area is small and manageable. Make a diluted mixture of bleach and water and spray it onto the moldy areas. Allow the bleach to sit for at least fifteen minutes before wiping it away using paper towels and a pair of gloves.
If the affected area is quite large, you can also find commercial products designed to tackle black mold. Wear a face mask before taking on a large job.
Can Cleaning Black Mold Make You Sick?
Always take the appropriate precautions before you clean away black mold. Wear rubber gloves and a face mask to prevent prolonged exposure. The Emerging Pathogens Institute of the University of Florida reports that black mold exposure can cause:
- Fatigue and headaches
- Warts and lesions
- Swelling and reddened skin
- Discolored fingernails
- Coughing and wheezing
- Pneumonia
If you have more than a small area affected by black mold, leave it to professionals.
Does White Vinegar Kill Black Mold?
According to the University of Mississippi, yes, white vinegar does kill black mold! Vinegar is a mild acid yet still strong enough to break down 82% of mold species, including black mold. Compared to industrial cleaners, it doesn’t give off harsh aromas, making it a preferable mold killer.
To use white vinegar as a mold killer:
- Pour the vinegar directly into a spray bottle
- Spray the vinegar onto the affected areas
- Leave it for at least 1 hour
- Wipe away the mold and vinegar using paper towels
Be sure to follow the appropriate safety measures before cleaning molds, such as wearing gloves and a face mask.
Is Bleach or Vinegar Better to Kill Mold?
Although bleach is often hailed as the ultimate cleaning product, vinegar is actually better at killing mold. According to the EPA, bleach is only effective at destroying surface-level mold spores. Even after dousing mold in bleach, there will still remain some background spores that can grow into a new mold plume.
The new mold will grow back stronger and be resilient to bleach. Instead, apply white vinegar, which will break down all of the mold spores.
Is Alcohol or Vinegar Better to Kill Mold?
Alcohol and vinegar are both effective mold killers, however, alcohol is better suited for porous surfaces that could easily be damaged. For example, use alcohol on:
- Granite
- Marble
- Wood
Alcohol is a volatile compound, so it will evaporate quickly without a trace, while still managing to kill mold spores.
Does Hydrogen Peroxide Kill Mold?
Like bleach, hydrogen peroxide is a suitable cleaner for killing mold on clothes, tile, interior fixtures, and appliances. You can use a concentration of 3% hydrogen peroxide to kill most strains of mold:
- Spray it onto the surface and let it sit for at least fifteen minutes
- Scrub the peroxide into the mold
- Wipe away any residue using paper towels
For stronger concentrations of peroxide, you can reduce the amount of time you let it sit on the mold.
Is Hydrogen Peroxide Better Than Bleach for Disinfecting?
Compared to bleach, hydrogen peroxide kills mold far more effectively and without leaving behind a harsh chemical odor. Prolonged mold exposure can be harmful but so too can prolonged exposure to bleach fumes.
Peroxides bubbling effect allows it to punch through the surface layer of mold and eliminate the background spores that bleach often leaves behind. Additionally, you can add hydrogen peroxide to any cloth, whereas bleach would stain colored clothing.
Is Vinegar or Hydrogen Peroxide Better for Mold?
Vinegar and hydrogen peroxide are both effective cleaning agents against mold, however, they are not equal to each other. Vinegar is better for kill some strains of mold that hydrogen peroxide cannot kill. Likewise, hydrogen peroxide can kill some strains that vinegar leaves behind.
Can I Mix Vinegar and Hydrogen Peroxide?
Research published in the scientific journal Toxicology Letters advises against mixing vinegar and hydrogen peroxide. Combining the two substances in a single bottle will cause a chemical reaction and create peracetic acid. This is a highly corrosive acid that can irritate your skin and orifices.
However, there is no harm in using the two cleaners back-to-back. Just be sure to completely wipe away one before you use the other. This is a smart way to eliminate the widest variety of mold spores.
Does Baking Soda Kill Mold?
Baking soda has an excellent reputation as a cleaner. You can use it to clean your kitchen, bathroom, and even your teeth. Not surprisingly, then, baking soda is also an effective mold killer. Thanks to its mildly basic pH, it breaks down mold and absorbs any moisture that could help new spores grow into a plume of mold.
Best of all, baking soda leaves behind no harsh smell. In fact, it helps absorb odor! This makes baking soda a wonderful finishing touch and using vinegar, which can leave behind a tangy acidic smell.
What Kills Mold Completely?
Using a combination of different household cleaning products, you can completely kill mold by yourself. We recommend starting with pure distilled white vinegar. Leave on the mold for at least one hour and be sure to scrub it in to get at any background spores.
After cleaning away the vinegar, add a layer of hydrogen peroxide and let that sit for another 15 minutes. Sprinkle on some baking soda and then scrub away the cleaning products.
What is the Best Product for Removing Mold?
While you can find quality mold products, such as Mold Armor and Decon, you can effectively kill the majority of all mold spores—including black mold—using simple household products such as vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, alcohol, and bleach. We recommend skipping the harsh chemicals and sticking to a combination of these products.