When you have mold in your home it can be an absolute nightmare. Mold seems to grow everywhere, leaves a bad smell, is a health hazard, and is destructive. When you have mold in your home you will do just about anything to get rid of it. The steps one needs to take in order to get rid of mold are well documented.
You want to use cleaning solutions that are capable of killing the mold.
However, you must always be sure that you are using safe practices. Somebody dealing with mold always asks, “can I mix vinegar and bleach together to kill mold?” The answer is always absolutely not.
Here we will go into the reasons why vinegar and bleach do not mix, and why you should always use the right tools to get rid of mold.
The Science Behind Bleach and Vinegar
What is Vinegar?
Vinegar is an acidic liquid that is created by fermenting ethanol by acetic acid bacteria. Vinegar is commonly used as a food ingredient, however, it is also a highly valuable cleaning agent.
What is Bleach?
Bleach is a chemical typically made up of sodium hypochlorite or hydrogen peroxide used to sterilize materials. It is often used for killing mold on non-porous surfaces.
Mixing Vinegar and Bleach Creates Chlorine Gas
Bleach can be a volatile substance and vinegar is an acidic substance. Needless to say, putting those two substances together could lead to a nasty chemical reaction. When you mix vinegar and bleach together, you create chlorine gas.
Why is Chlorine Gas Dangerous?
Chlorine gas is particularly dangerous because it is poisonous. It causes severe irritation and even corrosion to the eyes, respiratory tract, and even skin. If you are exposed to chlorine gas you can experience burning eyes and will develop a nasty cough, and even develop edema of the lungs and airway.
The Risks of Mixing Bleach and Vinegar
Irritation of the Eyes, Skin, and Respiratory System
As previously mentioned, when you mix together vinegar and bleach you create chlorine gas. Chlorine gas is ostensibly a chemical weapon that will wreak havoc on your eyes, skin, and respiratory system
One of the things you will experience is a burning sensation in your eyes, and in fact, permanent damage can be done to them as a result of chlorine gas exposure. Your skin can develop nasty rashes that are highly irritable.
If you were to inhale chlorine gas, then you would first experience a nasty cough before having difficulty breathing. The truth is that chlorine gas exposure is capable of doing long-term damage to your respiratory system.
Most of the symptoms you experience from chlorine gas exposure will ultimately go away within 2 weeks.
However, it needs to be said that if your exposure to chlorine gas was direct and extreme in nature, permanent problems could develop.
Potential Long-term Health Effects
There is a myriad of problems that can develop as a result of exposure to chlorine gas. Here are just some of the things that can be long-term health effects:
- Chest pain
- Coughing
- Sore throat
- Tooth corrosion
To understand more about chlorine gas exposure and its potential effects follow this link for more information from the CDC.
What Else Can I Remove Mold With?
It needs to be said that bleach is still a viable chemical to use when combating mold growth in your home. You just have to be cautious in how you use it. The truth is the only thing you should be mixing bleach with is water.
However, there are other cleaning solutions that you can use to rid your home of mold.
Using Hydrogen Peroxide
One chemical solution that is just as effective for killing mold, without potentially destroying the material the mold is attached to, is hydrogen peroxide.
In order to use hydrogen peroxide to kill bleach, it must be mixed at a one-to-one ratio with water. Place the mixture into a spray bottle and then spray down the mold-afflicted area.
Allow the mixture to rest for 10 minutes before gently scrubbing the mold away with a soft bristle brush.
Using Baking Soda and Water
If you would like to use an even less abrasive solution, baking soda and water are your dream team. You can mix 1/4 of a tablespoon of baking soda with a standard-size spray bottle full of water to create a cleaning solution that can kill mold if allowed to set long enough.
Or you can mix a larger quantity of baking soda with water to form a cleaning paste that can also do the job. Once the cleaning solution is applied, allow it to set for 10 to 15 minutes before scrubbing with a soft bristle brush.
Once you have scrubbed away the mold, rinse the area before drying with a towel.
Using Commercial Mold Removers
If you are too concerned with safety or do not wish to take a do-it-yourself route, your best solution is using commercially available mold cleaning solutions.
There are numerous options on the market with varying degrees of effectiveness for long-term success.
Some will get rid of the immediate mold and nothing more, while others may have longer-lasting effects to discourage future mold growth further.
It is all a matter of what you prioritize for your current needs. So, fear not, my mold-battling friends! We've compiled a list of the best commercial mold cleaners and killers that'll have your home smelling like fresh springtime air in no time.
- Mold-B-Gone: A superhero cleaner that'll kill and prevent mold from coming back, leaving your home smelling like lemons.
- Moldinator: The heavy-duty cleaner that'll take down even the most stubborn mold, making your mold problem beg for mercy.
- Bye-Bye Mold: Not only kills mold but also gets rid of that musty smell that comes with it.
- Mold-No-More: The cleaner that kills mold and prevents it from coming back with long-lasting protection. Finally, sit back, relax, and enjoy a mold-free home.
That should help a bit. But what about a nice list of
Are you a fan of all-natural solutions to your mold problems? Fear not, my crunchy-granola friends! We've compiled a list of the best natural mold cleaners and killers that'll leave your home mold-free and smelling fresh as a daisy.
- Vinegar: The all-purpose, all-natural solution to everything, including mold. A 70% water to 30% vinegar solution can kill mold within 10-15 minutes of being applied. Plus, your home will smell like a delicious salad dressing!
- Tea Tree Oil: This essential oil smells amazing and has antifungal and antiseptic properties that make it a potent mold killer. Mix a teaspoon of tea tree oil with a cup of water, spray it on the affected area, and watch that mold disappear.
- Baking Soda: Not only is baking soda great for baking, but it's also an effective mold killer. Mix a quarter tablespoon of baking soda with water to create a paste, apply it to the affected area, and scrub away that mold.
- Hydrogen Peroxide: This common household item is a powerful mold killer. Mix hydrogen peroxide with water in a 1:1 ratio, spray it on the affected area, and let it sit for 10 minutes before scrubbing it away.
- Citrus Seed Extract: Derived from the seeds of grapefruit, this extract has potent antimicrobial properties that make it an effective mold killer. Mix 20 drops of citrus seed extract with two cups of water, spray it on the affected area, and watch that mold disappear.
While there are loads of other natural mold cleaners and killers, these should give you a good start.
Conclusion
If you are to take anything away from what you have just read, you must not mix bleach with anything but straight water. Attempting to mix vinegar and bleach together will only result in your own harm.
