Getting Rid Of Mold With Vinegar: ERX GUIDE

By ERX – Emergency Restoration Xperts

Let’s get real for a second… mold is gross 😷

It smells bad. It looks nasty. And worse? It’s not just sitting there quietly — it can mess with your health and damage your home if you ignore it. One of the easiest and most affordable ways to kick mold to the curb is sitting in your kitchen cabinet right now.

🥁 Drumroll please… it’s vinegar!

Yup. That humble bottle of white vinegar you use for cleaning windows or adding to recipes actually packs a punch when it comes to fighting mold. So, let’s walk through how (and when) you can use it — and when it’s time to call the pros at ERX.

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What Kind of Mold Can Vinegar Kill?

White vinegar is a natural acid (acetic acid, to be exact). That means it’s pretty good at killing about 80% of mold species — especially the surface stuff you find on:

• Bathroom tiles 🚿
• Shower curtains 🛁
• Kitchen sinks and countertops 🧽
• Window sills 🪟
• Tile grout and caulking

But let’s be clear… vinegar won’t work for deep mold growing in drywall, wood, insulation, or under floors. That needs professional help.

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How to Use Vinegar to Get Rid of Mold

It’s not complicated — here’s a step-by-step guide that anyone can follow:

1. Get plain white vinegar (5% acidity, not the fancy apple cider stuff).
2. Pour it into a spray bottle — no need to mix with water! Vinegar is more effective at full strength 💪
3. Spray directly onto the moldy surface. Be generous with it.
4. Let it sit for at least 1 hour. Seriously. Don’t wipe it off right away. It needs time to kill those nasty spores.
5. Scrub the area with a brush or sponge. You might need gloves if the mold is bad.
6. Rinse the area with warm water (especially on hard surfaces)
7. Dry it completely — that’s key to making sure it doesn’t come back!

And voilà! Mold be gone 👋

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Does Vinegar Work Better With Baking Soda?

Actually… yes!

If you’re dealing with stubborn spots, here’s what to do:

1. Spray vinegar first, like above ☝️
2. After it dries, sprinkle baking soda on the surface
3. Spray more vinegar on top — it’ll fizz and bubble (that’s a good thing!) 🧪
4. Scrub and rinse again

Baking soda helps deodorize too, which is awesome if that moldy smell is driving you crazy 🤯

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🧃 Can I Mix Vinegar With Bleach?

Please don’t 🙅‍♂️

Mixing vinegar with bleach releases toxic chlorine gas. It’s dangerous to breathe in and totally unnecessary. Pick one or the other (and spoiler alert: vinegar is the safer bet for most jobs).

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When Vinegar Isn’t Enough…

Like we mentioned earlier, vinegar is great for surface mold. But if the mold keeps coming back or it’s growing:

• In your walls or ceilings
• Behind the fridge or appliances
• On wood or carpet
• After a flood or leak

…it’s probably deeper than you think. That’s when you need a pro like ERX – Emergency Restoration Xperts to step in.

We don’t just scrub mold off the surface. We remove it completely, dry out the moisture, and help stop it from coming back 🛑

📞 Call us at (866)-217-7903 and let’s handle it the right way.

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FAQ – Mold & Vinegar Edition

Q: Will vinegar kill black mold?
A: Sometimes, but not always. It might help reduce surface black mold, but deep-rooted black mold (especially Stachybotrys) needs pro removal.

Q: Can I use vinegar on painted walls?
A: Not a great idea. Vinegar might damage paint. Try a small patch test first or call ERX to safely handle wall mold.

Q: How often should I use vinegar to prevent mold?
A: Spraying vinegar in mold-prone areas (like bathrooms) once a week can help prevent new mold growth 🙌

Q: Does vinegar get rid of the mold smell too?
A: It helps! But for strong musty odors, especially after water damage, you may need air filtration or odor removal services.

Q: Can I use vinegar on wood?
A: Yes, but be careful. Use a damp cloth, not too much vinegar — and always dry the wood completely afterward.

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Final Thoughts

Vinegar is a handy mold-fighting tool 🧼 But it’s not a cure-all.

Use it for small spots and prevention, but don’t rely on it alone if the mold keeps coming back or spreads beyond what you can see. That’s where ERX comes in — your local experts in full mold remediation.

📞 Call (866)-217-7903 to schedule an inspection or ask us any questions. We’re here to help you breathe easy again.