If you’ve ever battled the dreaded black spots creeping along your bathroom ceiling or the musty odour wafting from a forgotten corner of the laundry, you’re not alone.
Mould is a persistent foe in many Australian homes, especially as our climate swings between humid summers and chilly, damp winters.
While most of us have reached for that trusty bottle of vinegar to wage war on these unwelcome invaders, it turns out there’s a crucial detail that could make or break your mould-busting mission.
The vinegar myth—and the science behind it
Vinegar has long been hailed as a natural, affordable, and non-toxic solution for cleaning up mould. But according to Dr Heike Neumeister-Kemp, one of Australia’s leading mould experts and principal mycologist at Mycolab, it’s not just about splashing vinegar around and hoping for the best. The secret lies in the ‘ratio’.
‘Vinegar in the right percentage—that’s 70 per cent vinegar to 30 per cent water—works very well,’ Dr Neumeister-Kemp explains. ‘At this strength, vinegar is seen as a food source by the fungi, and the fungi simply overeats on it and literally explodes via osmotic pressure.’
Yes, you read that right. The fungi are tricked into thinking the vinegar is a delicious treat, and in their gluttony, they burst.
It’s a bit like setting out a buffet for an unwanted guest, only to have them eat themselves out of existence.
But if you dilute your vinegar too much, or use it straight from the bottle without checking the concentration, you might not get the explosive results you’re hoping for.
Too weak, and the mould shrugs it off. Too strong, and you might not get the ‘food source’ effect that tricks the fungi.
Preparation is key: Don’t just spray and pray
Before you even reach for your spray bottle, Dr Neumeister-Kemp recommends a few essential steps to make sure you’re not just moving the problem around.
First, remove any items that can’t be cleaned—think old books, cardboard boxes, or soft furnishings that have been overtaken by mould.
Next, it’s time to vacuum, but not with any old vacuum cleaner. You’ll need one with a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter, which traps the tiny spores instead of blowing them back into the air.
And here’s a tip you probably haven’t heard before: use a horsehair nozzle on your vacuum. Unlike plastic nozzles, which can scatter spores, horsehair is electrostatic and helps draw the spores in.
Move in a gentle, circular motion to lift as much contamination as possible from clothes, surfaces, and even carpets.
Now, it’s time for the vinegar
Once you’ve vacuumed, you can finally bring out your vinegar solution. Spray it directly onto the affected surface or onto a cloth, then wipe away.
This two-step process—vacuuming first, then cleaning—is far more effective than simply spraying and wiping.
Prevention: The best cure for mould
Of course, the best way to deal with mould is to stop it from taking hold in the first place. Dr Neumeister-Kemp points to Bali as an example: despite 90 per cent humidity, mould isn’t a problem because homes are open to breezes and sunlight.
‘The biggest mistake people make is not enough ventilation,’ she says. ‘If it’s hot and humid, use ceiling fans or air conditioning—not to cool the house below 20 degrees, but to dry it out.’
Other simple tips include:
- Airing out sweaty exercise clothes instead of tossing them in a pile.
- Not leaving wet sponges in the sink.
- Opening curtains to let in sunlight.
- Reducing clutter and dust, which provide food for fungi.
While vinegar can be an effective tool in managing mould, its success depends on how it’s used—and understanding the science behind it may make all the difference.
What’s been your experience with mould at home? Have you tried the vinegar trick for mould? Did you know about the 70/30 ratio? Or do you have your own tried-and-true method for keeping your home mould-free? Share your stories, and tips in the comments below.
Also read: Gold Coast bakery Pane Organico fined $40k after discovery of flies, mould and pigeons
