Mold is a category of fungi that likes to grow in damp areas in and around your home. Shower walls, window sills and other areas that attract moisture are particularly susceptible to mold growth. In nature, mold plays an important role in the decomposition of organic material such as leaves and plant debris, but in your home it can potentially cause health problems. Mold exposure has been linked to a number of problems such as: B. allergic reactions, breathing difficulties and asthma. Many people use vinegar to combat mold in the home. Here you can find out which uses of vinegar are suitable, where and how you can use vinegar!
Can you treat mold with vinegar?
Vinegar has antifungal and antibacterial properties and can be a cheap and effective treatment for many types of mold. White vinegar typically contains about 5 to 8 percent acetic acid. Acetic acid is a moderately strong acid with a pH of about 2.5 that can disrupt the growth of a variety of fungi and other microorganisms. Research has found that vinegar can prevent the growth of mold on fruit and remove some common household molds, but it does not kill every type of mold.
You can use vinegar on a variety of surfaces, but we'll look at some specific surfaces that you shouldn't useUse vinegarshould. So, can you get rid of mold in your home with vinegar? The answer is yes, depending on how much mold you have and what surface it is growing on. Read on to learn when vinegar can be an effective solution for eliminating mold in your home and how it compares to other options.
Before removing the mold, you need to address the moisture problem that caused the mold to grow. If you get rid of the mold without addressing the moisture problem, it will almost certainly grow back. Once you've addressed the moisture problem, you can use vinegar to remove the mold.
What you need:
undiluted white vinegar with at least 5 percent acetic acid
non-porous gloves
Face mask
Safety glasses
spray bottle
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soft brush
Instructions:
- If possible, open a window to ventilate the room you are working in.
- Put on your protective mask, goggles and gloves.
- Pour the vinegar undiluted into a spray bottle. Spray it directly onto the moldy surface.
- Let the vinegar sit for at least an hour.
- Use a soft-bristled brush and scrub the moldy surface until the mold comes off. If you're scrubbing a rough surface, you may need a thicker brush.
- Dry the area completely with a clean rag and throw away the used rag and brush.
Where not to use vinegar to remove mold
The acidity of vinegar can damage some surfaces in your home. Useno vinegar:
- Stone countertops. Vinegar can dull and corrode some stone surfaces such as marble and limestone.
- Wooden floors. Floor covering manufacturers often warn against cleaning wooden floors with vinegar as it can attack the protective layer.
- Electronic screens. Vinegar can damage the anti-glare on some screens and affect the touchscreen.
- Some types of metals. Vinegar can corrode certain types of metal such as aluminum and copper. It is often not recommended on stainless steel.
- Porous surfaces. Vinegar is unlikely to be able to remove mold from porous or absorbent surfaces. If you notice mold on ceiling tiles or carpets, you probably need to replace them.
How to prevent mold in your home
Mold thrives in damp areas and is often found near pipes, leaks, or windows. The best way to prevent mold is to minimize moisture in your home.
- Inspect your home regularly. Look for signs of water damage or visible mold. Repair leaky pipes or leaks in your roof where water can collect.
- Keep humidity under control. Consider using a dehumidifier in damp rooms such as the basement.A humiditybetween 30 and 50 percent is ideal to avoid mold.
- Ventilate your apartment regularly. Use fans in the kitchen and bathroom.
- Repair or replace leaky windows. If you repair your windows regularly, you can prevent mold from forming on the frames.
- Dry your home immediately after a flood. To prevent mold growth, it is best to dry the home 24 to 48 hours after the flood.
- Add mildew inhibitor to the paint. Many hardware stores sell mold inhibitors that you can add to the paint.
