Vinegar vs Bleach for Mould: Which Actually Works?

The internet is full of conflicting advice about mould removal products. Vinegar advocates say bleach is useless on porous surfaces. Bleach advocates say vinegar isn’t strong enough. Here’s what the science actually says.

Bleach: Surface-Only Solution

Bleach (sodium hypochlorite) kills mould on non-porous surfaces effectively. But on porous materials like plasterboard and timber, it only whitens the surface mould while the roots survive deeper in the material. The water content in bleach can actually add moisture to porous surfaces, feeding regrowth.

Vinegar: Better for Porous Surfaces

White vinegar (acetic acid) penetrates porous surfaces more effectively than bleach and kills approximately 82% of mould species. It’s also safer to use (no toxic fumes) and doesn’t add chlorine to the indoor environment.

The Real Answer

For small areas on hard surfaces: either works. For porous surfaces: vinegar is better, but neither truly resolves mould that has penetrated deeply. The root system (hyphae) survives both treatments. This is why ceiling mould and grout mould keep returning — you’re cleaning the symptom, not fixing the moisture cause.

For anything beyond a small, surface-level patch, professional remediation is the only lasting solution. View Adelaide costs.