Even if you have the cleanest house or the strictest cleaning routines, mold and mildew can still appear, from your bathroom to your HVACs — or anywhere in your home where water and dampness accumulate.
Mold and mildew not only make your home look less appealing, but they can also be dangerous to your health, causing mild respiratory problems. But for vulnerable individuals, such as those undergoing a treatment plan for bulimia or anorexia and people with a generally weakened immune system, mold and mildew can lead to pneumonia. Here are natural home remedies you can use to eradicate mold and mildew — welcoming a cleaner and fresher home.
Vinegar
White vinegar is an excellent natural mold-killer, with studies showing it can eradicate 82% of mold spores, alongside viruses and bacteria. It’s best to apply vinegar on the affected areas, leave them for a few hours, and scrub the mold off. If you find the aroma of vinegar to be too strong, you can dilute it with water by mixing vinegar and water in a spray bottle. You can also use this everyday kitchen item to prevent mold growth by spraying it onto surfaces and leaving it to dry.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is one of the safest ways you can remove mold and mildew. It’s a natural fungicide that doubles as a cleaning product, boasting enough strength to prevent mold spores from returning. All you need to do is create a mixture of tea tree oil and water inside a spray bottle, apply it to the affected areas, and leave them be for an hour. After the allotted time, wipe them away using a microfiber cloth or a clean, dry towel.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is a non-toxic ingredient that’s relatively safe for you, your kids, and pets. Plus, it’s easy to use. Creating a baking soda mixture consisting of water and baking soda into a spray bottle can go a long way. It can eliminate mold and mildew while absorbing the moisture and using its drying properties to dry off the affected surfaces preventing mold growth in the future. You can spray the mixture on the mold or mildew itself, scrape them off, and rinse with water.
Grapefruit Seed Extract
Grapefruit seed extract contains polyphenols, a commonly used compound for killing bacteria in your laundry, disinfecting or sterilizing spaces, and cleaning carpet stains, leading to eventual mold growth. When you apply this extract to the affected areas, the polyphenols will continue penetrating growth and eventually prevent mold spores from coming back.
Humidity Control
Controlling humidity in your home is one of the best ways to eradicate mold and mildew. You can do this by keeping air moisture low by opening windows, turning up the air conditioner, or investing in a dehumidifier to keep your indoor air fresh and free from mold.
Although mold and mildew are natural byproducts of humidity, that doesn’t mean you should share your home with these harmful spores. But instead of turning to potentially even more toxic chemicals like borax when facing mold and mildew, use the natural methods mentioned — naturally killing these fungi at home without hurting your family and the environment.
