White vinegar is known to kill 99% of bacteria, 82% of mold, 80% of germs and viruses, is safe to use on fabrics and is much better to use around babies and pets than most of the biocides on the market. Chlorine Bleach, which has been used on mold for years, is a harsh chemical that is under dispute about it's effectiveness on mold. The Chlorox company has been quoted as saying that bleach is "effective on hard, non-porous surfaces against Aspergillus niger and Trichophyton mentagrophytes (Athlete’s Foot Fungus), but it didn't say whether it was effective against other molds. Many people still use bleach on molds that are on porous surfaces, even though the company does not say it is effective for this purpose. Bleach is corrosive and can ruin most porous surfaces over time. Green cleaning solutions with vinegar kill more bacteria and mold than bleach.
Stop the Mold
When mold is spotted on a porous surface, remove the item from the area if possible and immediately find the source of moisture. If moisture is allowed to remain or return to the area, mold will find it's way back and continue to grow even if it is effectively killed in this procedure. If the item can be removed, set it in the sun and allow it to dry. The sun will start the green cleaning process by depriving it of the moisture it needs. Brush away any excess mold, but remember these are live mold spores and should be treated with caution to be sure they don't come back inside.
Vinegar Mixture
To use vinegar, mix 1/4 cup of organic vinegar and 1 quart of distilled or purified water in a clean spray bottle. Shake well. Spray the organic vinegar mixture onto the moldy areas until thoroughly soaked. Leave the vinegar mixture on the stain for 20-30 minutes or so depending on the amount of mold. For very populated areas of mold, leave on longer.
On walls, the vinegar can be left overnight. For walls, use a clean rag, dipped in more of the green cleaning solution and gently rub the area. The vinegar kills 82% of all mold, unlike bleach which discolors it, but can't penetrate deep inside the wood to kill all of it. For carpets, respray the affected area thoroughly, scrub with a scrub-brush and blot with a clean dry rag. Repeat until the stain is gone. This method will kill the mold deep inside the carpet.
Be sure to test the vinegar solution in a small, inconspicuous area first to test its colorfastness. Vinegar is effective, organic and safe, use it on a variety of surfaces to organically clean bacteria, mold and viruses.
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