Vinegar contains a mild acetic acid that makes it a reasonably effective general-purpose cleaner around the house. While vinegar is nontoxic to humans, it reportedly kills many types of household mold. However, killing mold isn’t really the point: mold spores are everywhere in the air we breathe, and anywhere the conditions are right for mold growth the problem will come right back. Therefore, the true objective of killing mold is to remove it from the surface then eliminate the conditions that lead to mold growth.
Step One
Put mild white vinegar in a spray bottle without diluting it. Vinegar has a mild acidity, making anywhere you spray it very inhospitable for mold. Do not dilute the vinegar when placing it into the spray bottle; you want to use it at full-strength, not watered-down.
Step Two
Spray the vinegar onto moldy surfaces and wait for an hour. If possible, let the bathroom air out during this time.
Step Three
After an hour, wipe the area clean with hot water and dry the surface with a towel. Damp surfaces encourage mold growth, so be sure to wipe the area clean fully. After you have wiped the vinegar away, it should not smell anymore.
Step Four
Use vinegar to prevent outbreaks of mold before they happen. Vinegar is reported to kill 82% of mold species[1], making it an exceptionally effective solution for preventing mold from inhabiting your bathroom like it owns the place. Plus, vinegar does not have any toxic fumes (like bleach) and is all-natural. Simply spray a bit of vinegar onto a mold-prone surface and leave it. If you do this regularly, mold will have a tough time growing, and you will not have to remove it in the first place.