Vinegar to get rid of mould: the ratio and the method
Published by Aurala Naturals. Last updated 12 November 2026.
Vinegar to get rid of mould works as a first wipe on hard surfaces such as tiles, grout and glass. The Australian Centre for Disease Control suggests 4 parts white vinegar to 1 part water. Wipe, wait, rinse and dry the surface. Vinegar does not stop mould growing back if the room stays damp, so dry the room and treat the air after you clean.
Wipe the mould off, then run First Light in a waterless diffuser in the room where it grows. Six essential oils go into the air where the mould keeps coming back. Lab tested: 99.2% on direct contact.
Aurala is a Gold Coast business. In a wet week, people reach for the vinegar bottle under the sink, wipe the shower grout, and watch the black fade. A fortnight later the same grout line is speckled again, because the bathroom is still wet for hours after every shower.
Does vinegar work on mould?
Yes, on a small patch on a hard, sealed surface. White vinegar is acidic enough to clean light mould off tiles, glass shower screens and sealed grout. It is a cleaner, not a dry-room plan.
Use plain white vinegar, not cleaning vinegar with added fragrance, and not balsamic or apple cider vinegar on surfaces you care about. The Australian Centre for Disease Control ratio is 4 parts white vinegar to 1 part water.
For the wider picture on oils and household cleaners, see natural mould treatment with essential oils.
How to clean mould with vinegar
- Open a window or run the exhaust fan. Wear a mask, gloves and eye protection.
- Mix 4 parts white vinegar to 1 part water in a spray bottle or bowl.
- Spray or wipe the mix onto the mould on tiles, grout or glass. Leave it to sit for at least 10 minutes.
- Scrub with a stiff brush or cloth. Rinse with clean water.
- Dry the surface with a towel, then keep the room drying until it is no longer damp to the touch.
Work in a small area at a time so the mix does not dry out before you scrub. Repeat once if the stain is still visible on sealed grout.
Where vinegar is the wrong tool
Skip vinegar on natural stone such as marble or limestone, on unsealed timber, and on electronics. The acid etches stone and can mark timber.
Vinegar also does not reach mould that has grown into porous plaster, the back of a wardrobe, or black dots sitting inside shower silicone. If the colour is inside the bead, replace the silicone. Our guide to mould in shower silicone and grout covers that call.
Stop the mould coming back in the room where it grows. First Light is six essential oils in one bottle: clove, Litsea cubeba, tea tree, eucalyptus, peppermint and cedarwood. Run it in a waterless diffuser every day. Lab tested: 99.2% on direct contact. From A$39.99 with free shipping Australia-wide.
Why mould comes back after a vinegar wipe
The wipe removes what you can see on the surface. It does not dry the wall, and it does not stop spores landing from the air. In a bathroom that stays wet, the same grout line grows mould again within days or weeks.
Squeegee the shower, run the fan for twenty minutes after you wash, and hang towels so they dry. Then put a six-oil blend into the air of that room. First Light is clove, Litsea cubeba, tea tree, eucalyptus, peppermint and cedarwood. Lab tested: 99.2% on direct contact.
Vinegar or clove oil?
Vinegar is the cheaper first clean on tiles and grout. Clove oil is a contact treatment people use after the clean, not a substitute for the wipe. If you are choosing an oil, read clove oil for mould and use a measured blend rather than a supermarket bottle on its own.
Weighing vinegar against clove oil? See clove oil vs vinegar for mould for the side-by-side. Choosing between the two bottles? Read vinegar or bleach for mould: which one for which surface.
FAQ
What is the vinegar to water ratio for mould? 4 parts white vinegar to 1 part water, as the Australian Centre for Disease Control suggests.
Can I use vinegar to get rid of mould on walls? On washable painted walls, test a small hidden spot first. For a full wall method, use how to get rid of mould on walls.
Does vinegar kill black mould? It cleans light staining on hard surfaces. For the broader method, see how to get rid of black mould.
How long do I leave vinegar on mould? At least 10 minutes, then scrub, rinse and dry.
Will vinegar stop mould coming back? No. Dry the room and run First Light in the air after you clean.
Related guides
Ready to stop the mould coming back in the room where it grows? Get First Light, six essential oils in one bottle, from A$39.99 with free shipping Australia-wide. Lab tested: 99.2% on direct contact.
