All Natural Mold Cleaners

THEY EXIST! 

And you may already have them in your pantry!

 As much as we hate to admit it, at one time or another, we all find some mold...somewhere! Especially now when we are opening up summer rooms, getting patios ready, and (yuck) spring cleaning. It can be outside, under kitchen or bathroom tiles, under sinks...anywhere moisture can end up that doesn't get a good flow of air. Installing a bathroom fan can be a great way to reduce and prevent moisture and mold. But what should you do when you are looking for an all natural mold cleaner? I have made a commitment not  to use chemicals in my home so I need to stick to it and had to find safe alternatives once the damage was done.

The Good News is that there are many ALL NATURAL MOLD CLEANERS!

1. Tea Tree Oil - This is by far the best and maybe a little pricey but the tea tree oil has so many uses that it is certainly worth having around. Put 2 teaspoons of the oil in a spray bottle and fill with water. Spray this on the affected area and do not rinse. Tea Tree oil does have a strong smell but it will go away in just a few days!

2. Grapeseed extract - This has NO scent! place about  20 drops grapefruit seed extract in a spray bottle with 2 cups water in a spray bottle, shake to blend, and spray on affected areas and do not rinse.

3. Straight vinegar - It is shown that straight vinegar kills 82 percent of mold. Use this in a spray bottle and let it sit!

  

4. Hydrogen Peroxide - A bottle of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide can also work to kill  mold and mildew.  Pour the peroxide directly on the offending area and wipe it clean.

5. Borax - If you are making your own detergent....you already have this! Mix 1 cup into 1 gallon of water. Wet the area down with this mixture first then proceed to scrub the area. There is no need to rinse after the area is clean as the borax should inhibit mold growth!

6. Baking soda - Add half of a tablespoon of baking soda to a spray bottle of water and shake. Spray the area first with the baking soda mixture. Use a sponge or scrub brush to remove all mold from the area. Rinse the area with water then spray the mixture on again to help prevent new mold. You can also add some vinegar to this mixture since vinegar and baking soda kill different types of mold. Its like an insurance policy!

Mold on cloth items?
For clothing, try lemons! Lemons have a bleach like effect so be sure to test a spot first! Run your item with lemon and salt (or you can make a past like substance). Rub it into the affected area then let it dry in sunlight. If the stain is still there, repeat. You can was the item as normal after the stain is gone!

**Note - it is always best to spray a mold killing agent on the mold and let it sit before wiping and cleaning mold. If you attempt to "clean" it before treating, you can stir up the mold spores and cause it to spread into the air causing it to enter your airways and the air around you! Give the cleaner some time to work, then proceed with wiping and removing spores.

It is also important to note that many porous surfaces can not have the mold removed. Wood may need to be sanded or specially treated as would drywall.