You might think that only harsh chemicals are capable of effectively removing mold and mildew, but in fact, there are a number of natural methods and materials that can do the job just as well.
First of all, let’s look at the difference between mold and mildew:
Mold and mildew are essentially both types of fungi with the ability to grow on a variety of surfaces, but mildew is actually a plant disease. Visually, mold within the home will always be black or green, and thick and sticky, while mildew is often gray or white and has a powdery look.
Where is mold typically found in the home?
Mold can make an appearance virtually anywhere in the home that’s damp, and it has a particular fondness for spaces with high humidity levels, such as basements and bathrooms
Whether your home is suffering from mold or mildew (or maybe it has both), you want to get rid of it as soon as possible, and ideally, without the use of potentially harmful chemicals; here’s how:
- Hydrogen peroxide
This common antifungal and antibacterial solution is an ingredient in many natural cleaning products, and is great for eliminating mold and mildew in kitchens, bathrooms and even walls.
- Vinegar
This natural solution cleans, disinfects and deodorizes while killing many different types of molds, and when used undiluted, it performs fantastically well. Simply spray vinegar onto the affected area, leave it for around an hour, and wipe both it, and the mold, away.
- Baking soda
This super useful store cupboard staple can be used to keep your fridge smelling sweet, your oven clean and mold at bay. Add a ¼ of a tablespoon to a spray bottle, mix with water, and then simply spray away! When finished, take a scrub brush and remove the baking soda residue and mold from the surface.
- Essential oils
You’ll be aware of just how great essential oils smell, but did you know that they can help get rid of mold, too? Use Tea Tree, Cinnamon, Clove or Thyme oil to destroy mold and prevent it from growing back. Take a teaspoon of your favorite oil, and mix it with a cup of water in a spray bottle, spray the affected area and leave it for around an hour for the solution to dry, then simply wipe it away with a clean towel.
- Lemons
Lemons have the ability to break down mold and disinfect surfaces, and by simply pouring (or smearing) the juice of a few lemons onto the affected area and leaving it for a few minutes, you can then wipe the juice away and admire your mold free surface!
Don’t let mold and mildew ruin your home; use these natural cleaning solutions to make surfaces and walls hygienically clean. If your home has a big mold and/or mildew problem, you might need to call in the professionals and have them tackle it on a bigger scale. But don’t worry, reputable and experienced cleaners will use natural cleaning methods, too.
