Mix a bleach solution with ½ cup of bleach and 1 gallon of water. For mold that cannot be cleaned off, use a stronger strength solution of 1 cup bleach and 1 gallon of water. Place the plastic container in the solution so that all of the moldy areas are completely submerged.
Vinegar. If you want to use a more natural approach than off the shelf antifungal cleaners, you can use distilled white vinegar to get moldy bath toys clean. Distilled white vinegar contains a compound called acetic acid, which is what makes it an effective mold killer.
While it is possible to use bleach to kill mold as well, experts agree that vinegar is a much better option. Unlike bleach, vinegar can effectively kill the mold at the root, which means it's less likely to return. Vinegar is also less toxic than bleach, making it a better choice for household use.
Mold generally can't break down plastic easily. However, plastic contains many additives, such as plasticizers, cellulose, lubricants, stabilizers, and colorants to help provide desired features, and these additives ARE very easy for mold to break down.
Using white vinegar to kill mould
If cleaning with detergent doesn't work, it's possible to remove mould using diluted vinegar and a microfibre cloth. If mould cannot be removed using the vinegar method, cleaning with diluted bleach or a commercial product may be required.
Hydrogen peroxide kills mold effectively on materials such as clothing, floors, bathroom fixtures, walls and items such as kitchen appliances. Pour 3% concentration hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle. Spray the moldy surface completely to saturate the area with hydrogen peroxide.
Use a bleach solution of no more than 1 cup (8 ounces) household laundry bleach per 1 gallon of water to kill mold on surfaces.
Put the container in the freezer until it is frozen solid. Then you can open it and pop the moldy whatever into the garbage with not a lot of fuss. Just get rid of it right away, because the smell of that defrosting isn't for everyone!
Also, you risk causing damage to the area beneath the mold when you leave the vinegar to sit on it for too long. So when it comes to removing mold with vinegar, it's best to avoid leaving it overnight and stick with the 30 minutes to 1 hour sitting time.
mildew and mold will develop within 24-48 hours of water exposure. Even worse, it will continue to grow until steps are taken to eliminate the source of moisture, and effectively deal with the mold problem.
To clean mold, use regular white distilled vinegar, typically sold with 5% acidity. You can also use “cleaning vinegar” with 6% acidity. Both are effective at killing mold.
How Long Does it Take for Vinegar to Kill Mold? Depending on the amount of mold, let the vinegar sit on the mold at least 60 minutes before wiping or scrubbing.
The plastic and glass surfaces on most small kitchen appliances, such as blenders, coffee makers, and toasters, are safe to clean with vinegar, but you want to avoid any rubber parts or metal that vinegar can corrode. This includes stainless steel.
The method: Make a solution of water and vinegar using 1 tablespoon vinegar per 1 cup of water. Pour into the container and let the solution sit for 1 to 2 hours. Wipe clean, rinse, and dry.
Mix 2 teaspoons of borax with 1/2 cup white vinegar in a spray bottle. Apply the mixture on mildew and let sit for about 30 minutes. The borax will scour the surface while the white vinegar combats the mildew and mold. Rinse with clean water and allow the area to dry thoroughly.
3 Distilled white vinegar in the condiment aisle contains around 5% acetic acid and 95% water. Cleaning vinegar contains about 6% acetic acid. While vinegar will kill the mold, it is slow acting, and the discoloration and stains from the mold may remain and require additional scrubbing with another household cleaner.
Spray vinegar and leave it to help prevent future mold growth. You do not have to wash the vinegar away. Once the surface is clean, you can spray it with vinegar and leave the vinegar on the surface to keep the mold from returning. Keep a spray bottle of vinegar in your shower and spray the surface every few days.
Black Mold Removal Using Vinegar
White vinegar is a mildly acidic product that cleans, deodorizes, and disinfects. It can also kill 82% of mold species, including black mold, on porous and non-porous surfaces. You can use it safely on most surfaces, and its offensive odor goes away quickly.
Remove standing water and wet materials. Use a wet vacuum to remove water from floors, carpets, and hard surfaces. Dry your home and everything in it as quickly as you can – within 24 to 48 hours if you can. Open all doors and windows when you are working and leave as many open as is safe when you leave.
Mildew refers to certain kinds of mold or fungus. The term mildew is often used generically to refer to mold growth, usually with a flat growth habit. Molds include all species of microscopic fungi that grow in the form of multicellular filaments, called hyphae.
Using White Distilled Vinegar to Kill Mold
White vinegar is most commonly found with 5% acidity and works best undiluted, so don't worry about mixing it with water first.
While molds are a natural part of our ecosystem, one cannot completely eliminate it. Mold spores are typically inherent in all indoor and outdoor spaces, so technically, it is impossible to completely eradicate all molds – but the key is to control it's growth.