Mold is a common problem in many households but the good news is that you can remove it. But using what? Property owners need to remove mold immediately after it is discovered to prevent health issues and structural damage to the property. By understanding the methods to effectively remove mold growth, property owners can ensure the health and safety of others.

In this article, our mold remediation experts have provided tips on removing mold with baking soda. It is one of the various natural cleaning agents that is non-toxic and safe to use around children and pets. Read more to learn about how baking soda is a good agent for completely removing mold.

What is Mold?

Mold is a fungal growth that grows anywhere where moisture and dampness are present. If your house or property has recently experienced any kind of water damage or your room smells musty, there are chances you may have mold in the house. They look like green, black, or purplish spots and they can occur in any part of your house either on appliances, carpets, bathroom surfaces, walls, ceilings, upholstery, pipes, roofs, etc. The growth speed is high and can get worse if left untreated.

Mold can be harmful. It can affect your upper respiratory tract and may cause allergic symptoms such as watery eyes, sneezing, itching, breathing difficulty, headache, and nausea. Repeated exposure can cause serious health risks such as memory loss or nose bleeding.

What is Baking Soda?

Baking soda, or Sodium Bicarbonate, is an alkaline compound with PH levels between 8 to 9 that creates carbon dioxide when mixed with acid. Although it is commonly used as a baking ingredient, it is also used for cleaning, deodorizing, and personal care. Usually, microorganisms such as yeasts, mold, and bacteria are sensitive to food’s PH, and they cannot tolerate any low or high PH substance.

How to Use Baking Soda to Kill Mold

It is proven scientifically that baking soda can kill most strains of fungi such as mold or mildew. Not only does it remove and help prevent mold growth, but it also deodorizes the area and removes the damp smell from the surroundings.

For general and mild cleaning, you can mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda with 500 ml water. If you have tough black mold removal, we recommend you mix baking soda with vinegar. Vinegar is as safe as baking soda. It is free of chemicals and can tackle different types of molds.

It is a general rule of thumb that if the mold infestation is larger than 10 feet in diameter it should be professionally removed by mold remediation technicians. If it is attempted to be removed using do-it-yourself methods, it could potentially spread or get worse.

Steps for Using Baking Soda with Water to Kill Mold:

Here are the step-by-step instructions on how to clean light mold stains and remove mold using baking soda and water:

1. When using baking soda to clean mold, we recommend wearing a mask, hand gloves, and eye protection before starting the mold removal process as it may cause some irritation if you have sensitive skin. Prioritizing your safety is the most important when attempting to remove mold at home.
2. Identify the spots that you want to treat. Then begin by making the solution i.e., mixing baking soda with water. The suggested ratio is one tablespoon of baking soda for one cup of water.
3. Once the solution is ready, pour it into a spray bottle as it is easy and safe to use. Using a spray bottle ensures that the solution will be evenly applied to the moldy spots.
4. Once you have sprayed the solution on the affected area, use a brush or a scouring pad to lighten the stains. It reduces the density of the stain. Before brushing, you can leave the baking soda for approximately 2 or 3 hours on the affected area. If the mold stains are large and tough, you can also leave the solution overnight.
5. After brushing, rinse the area with clean water and make sure there is no residue. It is important to rinse the space thoroughly as sometimes baking soda leaves some sort of powdery substance and makes it look greasy. Once rinsed, wipe off the area and keep it dry by using a humidifier or letting some extra sunlight come in.

Steps for using Baking Soda with Vinegar

While baking soda is effective in absorbing moisture, vinegar has acetic acid, which is known for its anti-fungal properties. The two in combination can be used effectively and will help clean big spots of mildew that you can’t with water.

Here is the step-by-step process of how to mix baking soda with vinegar and apply it to the affected area:

1. As always safety first! Be sure to wear your mask, gloves, and eyewear to prevent direct exposure to the mold or the solution.
2. Next, prepare the solution. You should use a ratio of 1:2 which means if you’re using 1/2 cup of baking soda, use 1 cup of vinegar. If you’re using 1 cup of baking soda, we recommend you mix it with 2 cups of vinegar. It should form a thick paste.
3. Once the solution is ready, pour it into a spray bottle so it evenly spreads onto the moldy stains. Use a toothbrush or a scouring pad to brush off the stain which will eventually loosen the mold.
4. After scrubbing, use a final spray of vinegar. This last shot will help eradicate any lingering stains or residue and prevent it from growing back again.
5. Finally, pour some hot water and wipe off the area with a clean towel. Let it air dry by itself. You can also open the windows to let the extra sunlight come in and speed up the drying process.

Why Choose Baking Soda Over Chemical Cleaners?

Chemical cleaners are harsh and toxic, making them dangerous to use around kids and pets. They can also cause damage to surfaces, materials, or even to your skin. Baking soda, on the other hand, is natural and environmentally friendly. It is also more affordable, easier to access than chemical cleaners, and has a neutral pH, making it less likely to damage surfaces. That’s why it is called an effective mold killer.

How Long Does it Take for Baking Soda to Kill Mold?

Mixing baking soda and water will create a paste that you can spread over the moldy area. After applying the paste, use a brush to scrub the area and loosen the mold. You should then leave it for 24-48 hours before wiping off the paste using a clean towel.

How Much Baking Soda Does it Take to Kill Mold?

To create a baking soda solution that can effectively kill mold, use one tablespoon of baking soda for one cup of water. You can put this solution into a spray bottle and spray the affected area.

Is Vinegar or Baking Soda Better for Killing Mold?

Vinegar and baking soda are each effective at killing mold on their own, and they also work very well together. Vinegar contains acetic acid that can kill a majority of mold species while baking soda absorbs moisture that causes mold. Mix them in a ratio of 1:2 baking soda to vinegar.

Know When to Call a Mold Removal Professional

When you’re dealing with mold, there should be no delay. It is advisable to immediately act on the situation and try to eliminate it from your task for the day. However, in some situations, if you’re not willing to take a chance, you can seek help from outside.  It is best to contact a mold removal specialist to ensure the mold is taken care of correctly and efficiently.

If you spot mold in your house, schedule an appointment today with our mold remediation experts.

About Vince Sandri

Vince Sandri is a content writer and blogger with more than 12 years of experience. His expertise is in creating content related to disaster restoration, including information about preventing and reacting to natural disasters like flooding, water damage, fire and smoke damage, mold growth, storm damage and more.
Vince has been the main contributor to RestorationMasterFinder.com since 2014. Over that time, he has written numerous service pages and blogs for disaster restoration providers featured on RestorationMasterFinder.com. Vince has done extensive research and covered a wide range of topics relating to disaster restoration to help homeowners, business owners, and property managers better protect their property. He understands the problems that disasters like flooding, fire, smoke, and mold can cause as well as the best ways to respond to these issues to limit the damage.
Vince completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Aurora University and his master’s degree at DePaul University. He has been writing SEO website pages, blogs, and press releases since 2012. Vince is also a musician and can be seen playing in the Chicago, IL area.