Why standard white distilled vinegar (5% Acetic Acid) is the most effective household antifungal for porous surfaces.
Source: Studies confirm mild acid penetrates the cell membrane.
1. Why It Works (The Chemistry)
While bleach tries to burn the surface, vinegar works by lowering the pH of the environment to a level where fungal life cannot sustain itself.
Acetic acid penetrates the fungal cell wall (chitin). Once inside, it chemically disrupts the cytoplasm, causing the cell to undergo lysis (death/bursting). Because vinegar has a low surface tension (like water), it travels deep into the pores of drywall and wood, attacking the root structure.
2. The 5-Step Application Guide
Do not just splash it on. For maximum efficacy, you must follow the correct dwell time.
Use standard White Distilled Vinegar (5% Acetic Acid). Do not use Apple Cider or Wine vinegar (sugar feeds mold).
Watering it down weakens the acid. Pour it straight into a spray bottle at full strength.
Saturate the area. Let it sit for 60 minutes. Do not wipe immediately. The acid needs time to break the membrane.
Scrub with a stiff brush to detach dead spores. Wipe clean and setup a fan to dry the area completely.
3. The Baking Soda Mistake
This is the most common error on the internet. Blogs tell you to mix vinegar and baking soda to create a “foaming super cleaner.”
Vinegar is an Acid. Baking Soda is a Base.
When you mix them, they foam up (releasing CO2 gas), but the remaining liquid is basically Salt Water (Sodium Acetate).
Correct Method: Use Vinegar first to kill the mold. Wipe it away. Then use Baking Soda paste separately if you need to scrub a stain. Never mix them in the bottle.
4. Where NOT to Use Vinegar
Because it is an acid, vinegar can cause permanent damage to certain luxury materials.
- Drywall (Painted or Unpainted)
- Wood (Framing, Decks)
- Plastic & Glass
- Concrete
- Ceramic Tile
- Natural Stone (Granite, Marble) – It will etch the stone instantly.
- Waxed Flooring – Strips the finish.
- Cast Iron – Causes rust.
- Aluminum – Causes oxidation spots.
5. Vinegar vs. Peroxide vs. Tea Tree
How does it stack up against other “natural” killers?
| Agent | Kill Power | Porous Surface? | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinegar | 82% | Excellent | $ (Cheap) |
| Hydrogen Peroxide | High | Good | $$ (Moderate) |
| Tea Tree Oil | High | Fair | $$$$ (Expensive) |
| Bleach | Low | Failed | $ (Cheap) |