How Vinegar Can Help You Salvage Moldy Belongings

9/16/2021 (Permalink)

White vinegar is an efficient mold cleaning product, but it is not an ideal solution for every item in your home.

A flood or burst pipe can cause significant destruction inside your Whitemarsh, PA, home, including mold damage. Some items inside your home may not respond well to mold cleaning and may need to be discarded. However, you can increase your chances of salvaging many of your possessions, if you act quickly. A variety of chemicals can aid your mold remediation efforts including one that may surprise you, vinegar.

Vinegar’s Mold-fighting Power

The white vinegar inside your pantry is a mild acid that can efficiently kill most mold types. Unlike bleach, which can damage colored cloth, vinegar is safe to use on numerous objects.

1. Non-Porous Materials

Glass and tile are examples of non-porous materials that you can easily clear of mold. To clean these items, spray or wipe the affected area with vinegar, and allow it to sit for approximately one hour. Then, rinse with warm water. To prevent regrowth, spray the area again and allow it to air dry.

2. Wooden Items

Vinegar can also help you clean and salvage moldy wooden items if you address the problem quickly. To accomplish this task, mix white vinegar, soap, and water and wipe the contaminated wood. You can also scrub the solution into the wood with a brush.

3. Clothing and Upholstery

Fabric is porous and offers many potential hiding places for mold spores. Hidden spores that are not properly removed during mold cleaning may re-contaminate your home. For this reason, you may need to dispose of heavily contaminated clothing and upholstered furniture.

You may, however, be able to salvage lightly soiled items. You can add a cup of vinegar into your washing machine, along with detergent. Once the clothing is clean, allow it to dry in the sun, if possible.

Additional Assistance

White vinegar is an efficient mold cleaning product, but it is not an ideal solution for every item in your home. Mold-damaged books and other paper objects are not usually salvageable. Leather products and electronic equipment are other items potentially susceptible to mold damage. Because these belongings are delicate, you should consult a mold remediation expert to help you properly clean them and assure they are mold-free.