Killing Mold with Vinegar and Ammonia - Mold Inspection Freehold

Killing Mold with Vinegar and Ammonia

Mold Inspection Freehold - Seeing that you have mold in your bathroom or other damp place can be disconcerting. In addition to being unsightly, mold can cause potentially damaging health concerns. You know you need to remove it, but how? Don’t try to remove large infestations of mold yourself, though (Mold Inspection Freehold) . These DIY tricks work on small, contained spots of mold, such as found in your shower area or bathroom walls. When performing these solutions, always wear a safety mask and gloves to protect yourself.

Vinegar or ammonia can both be effective at killing mold, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Here’s a look at both.

Killing Mold - Ammonia

Ammonia, like bleach, is a potent chemical that is effective in killing virtually all instances of mold that appear on hard surfaces such as shower stalls and countertops. As a side note, it’s NOT effective on porous surfaces such as wood or drywall. Its effectiveness is counter balanced by the fact that this chemical also happens to be harsh and toxic. Never combine bleach and ammonia or chlorine and ammonia, as they will produce a poisonous gas.

Also, you’ll have to remove the mold spores that you’ve killed, because they can cause allergic reactions if left there. The first step in this process is to combine an even mix of clear ammonia and water. Place in a spray bottle, then apply to the moldy area. Let it sit for a few hours, then wipe down with a damp cloth, rinse and dry. Throw out the cloths you used rather than wash and dry them.

Killing Mold - Vinegar

On the other hand, vinegar is a much gentler solution. It’s effective in killing about 82 percent of mold species and, bonus, it’s non-toxic so it won’t pose a safety threat. While vinegar is a safe, effective solution that can get rid of small bouts of mold and won’t give off fumes like beach, it doesn’t do quite the comprehensive job that ammonia does. It’s worth a try, especially if you have small children and pets and are concerned about using ammonia in your home.

Pour white distilled vinegar into a spray bottle and spray it directly onto the mold. After letting it sit for an hour, wipe it down with a damp cloth, then dry. To discourage future mold growth, spray any surface, such as tubs, countertops and shower stalls, with vinegar once a week. This will go a long way towards preventing the re-growth of mold. You can even use vinegar to mop your tile bathroom floors.

While mold is fairly easy to remove in small cases, you should always call an expert when you are dealing with large infestations of standard mold or toxic black mold. Stock Environmental Consulting - Mold Inspection Freehold can safely remove this potentially dangerous substance from any structure for your peace of mind.