Vinegar is better at killing mold because it can work on both porous and nonporous surfaces. It also terminates molds at their roots so the mold won't return and is also safer than bleach. You can even combine it with baking soda to make it more effective.
Bleach kills most mold. White vinegar kills slightly more species of mold. In both cases, mold on a porous surface will likely recover because the chemical doesn't penetrate down to ALL the mold. Physical removal is easiest on things like drywall.
Hydrogen peroxide, commonly used to disinfect wounds, is active against a wide variety of micro-organisms including mold. It acts by releasing oxygen at a rapid rate, which kills mold by oxidizing the surface and breaking down proteins and DNA.
So the answer to the titular question is vinegar. Vinegar is better for cleaning. But that's because bleach isn't intended for cleaning, but for disinfecting. And, by the way, if you want to use bleach for disinfecting, make sure the area you want to treat is clean (and rinsed clean, if you used vinegar!) first.
Chlorine Bleach is widely recognized as the absolute BEST cleaner to get rid of mould.
As a mold professional we use a 2-step process. We use our enzyme treatment and then apply our mold inhibitor. We also take a look and find the moisture source to help alleviate more mold from growing. As a DIY homeowner removing mold from your furniture, we would recommend using Concrobium.
Yes, you can leave vinegar on mould overnight, though this isn't necessary as it usually takes effect after an hour. However, you can't use any type of vinegar, for mould removal you must use distilled white vinegar.
Vinegar is a safer choice than bleach. If mold is growing on porous surfaces: Vinegar can penetrate deep into the pores of the surface, killing around 82% of it. Molds that are growing on surfaces such as carpets and upholstery may be treated with vinegar for better results.
Vinegar has a very low pH level which means it's very acidic, so it can corrode some surfaces over time. For example, using vinegar on natural stone like granite or marble can dull and scratch the surface and it can corrode surfaces like unsealed grout, window seals, and fridge and dishwasher gaskets.
Some species produce pigments on solid growth medium and can produce different types of polysaccharides. These bacteria are found in substrates containing sugar and/or ethanol, such as fruit juices, wine, cider, beer, and vinegar.
Take care to protect yourself by wearing eye protection, gloves, and a facemask, if necessary, and test the product in a small area first before continuing. Mix one part bleach to four parts water. Wipe and gently scrub the mould until it is gone.
Since bleach is only able to wipe up surface mold spores, it can't seep in to materials and effectively kill mold. This also increases the amount of moisture available, allowing deep-rooted mold to thrive rather than be removed. Always remember, mold needs heat/humidity or a water event to thrive.
White-distilled vinegar is mildly acidic and has been shown to kill types of mold. Vinegar is free of chemicals, so it is environment-friendly and safe for people and pets. Baking soda can be added to vinegar to tackle different types of mold as it kills different mold strains.
For large amounts of mold, the only method that kills mold 100%, every time, is removing all of the mold-infested materials entirely, and replacing them with new materials.
White vinegar, also known as distilled vinegar or spirit vinegar, is made by fermenting grain alcohol (ethanol) which then turns into acetic acid. Water is then added to the vinegar, so white vinegar is made of five to ten percent acetic acid and ninety to ninety-five percent water.
Vinegar is often recommended for cleaning hard water deposits on chrome bathroom fixtures, but this advice can be misleading. While it can dissolve mineral buildup, its acidic nature poses a risk to chrome finishes. Prolonged exposure to this solution can lead to the acid eating away at the finish.
Vinegar is good at killing plant matter, that much is true. But it can rarely penetrate deeply enough to kill fungi like mold down to the root. That's why it usually isn't truly effective in cleaning black mold, green mold, and most kinds of common house molds.
Bleach cannot get to the root of the mold on a porous surface. So while the surface may appear free of mold after using bleach on it, the root of the mold will still be present and growing. And guess what? After a couple of days you'll start to see that mold appear once again.
Use regular, distilled white vinegar to kill mold, as it's the most acidic. Some homeowners can even utilize vinegar directly to their walls or linoleum floors as a cleaning technique to prevent mold from forming.
According to ServiceMaster Restoration and Cleaning, the mild acid in vinegar kills about 82% of known molds and can help prevent future outbreaks. It's a great solution for cleaning small areas of mold on hard surfaces in your bathroom, kitchen and basement.
Vinegar is an acidic cleaner that can etch concrete if used undiluted or left on for too long. However, when used appropriately, diluted vinegar can effectively clean concrete driveways, removing stains and grime while being a cost-effective and natural cleaning solution.
Vinegar is better at killing mold because it can work on both porous and nonporous surfaces. It also terminates molds at their roots so the mold won't return and is also safer than bleach. You can even combine it with baking soda to make it more effective.