White distilled vinegar is the kind of vinegar that kills mold effectively. It is most commonly found with 5% acidity and works best undiluted, so there is no need to mix it with water first. However, because it is a mild acid, avoid using vinegar on aluminum, cast iron, waxed wood, or natural stone surfaces. Cleaning vinegar, which contains about 6% acetic acid, can also be used to kill mold. Both generic and name brands are effective at killing mold.