Mold... Yuck!
Mold was never something I had to worry about until I moved to the sunny state of Florida. As gross as mold is, and as much as we'd rather not talk about it, mold can easily become a problem in your home. Unfortunately, mold happens to grow at the same temperatures that most people prefer — between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Getting rid of mold can be pretty tricky, especially if you want to get rid of it for good. With many products, you can clean it away one week, and it will be back with a vengeance the next week.
Spoiler alert! Bleach kills surface mold, but it doesn't get the to root system. On top of that, you'll be breathing in unwanted vapors that you probably don't want anywhere near you or your family.
So if you're looking for a more natural way to get rid of unwanted and unhealthy mold, there's good news! Here are five great options to choose from that won't leave you in a chemical fog!
1. Vinegar
Vinegar works great on moldy surfaces. Spray some on the affected area and let it sit for several hours. It may work a bit slower than hydrogen peroxide, but it still knows how to kick mold's butt. When the surface is ready, scrub well using a brush.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5wM8xSMM9M
2. Hydrogen Peroxide
You might already have this at home. Hydrogen peroxide is easy to find, and inexpensive. Fill a spray bottle with standard 3% hydrogen peroxide and spray it on the affected area. Let it sit for about 10-15 minutes. After the hydrogen peroxide does its thing, scrub and then wipe clean with a cloth to remove anything that was left behind. If you need a super solution, mix some hydrogen peroxide with vinegar and baking soda and stand up to that unwelcome house guest!
3. Tea Tree Oil
This is one that you may have to go out and buy, but the results will be worth it. Stir two teaspoons of tea tree oil into two cups of water and put the mixture into a spray bottle. Spray your walls and let it sit, scrub it off... never! Bonus to this method: no cleanup!
4. Citrus Seed Extract and Water
Unlike vinegar, this mold-fighting solution has no odor, so if you're sensitive to certain smells, this may be the method for you. Just add 20 drops of citrus seed extract to two cups of water in a spray bottle, and spray the affected area. No rinsing necessary!
5. Baking Soda
Here's yet another handy household use for baking soda — It's cheap, yet effective. Add some water to your baking soda to dilute it a bit, and spray your walls. Let it sit for a while, then scrub-a-dub and wipe clean with a damp cloth. Ta-da!
Bonus! Borax
Yes, borax is not exactly non-toxic. Don't let anyone ingest it! But for fighting mold and mildew, borax offers yet another inexpensive, safer alternative. Did you know? When mixed with water, borax converts to hydrogen peroxide. See above! So if you don't have any 3% hydrogen peroxide on hand, try mixing borax with warm water in a spray bottle. And let the cleaning magic happen!
Check out this video for an overview of these safe cleaning alternatives!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9f9YUA3vKl4
By the way, you don't need to wait for mold to appear to use these treatments.
If mold could potentially be a problem in your home, spray your walls with one of these solutions to help prevent it from growing. If you get rid of existing mold successfully, don't forget to circulate the air in your home. Run the air conditioner or heat, use a fan, or get a dehumidifier to keep it from reappearing!
h/t: healthy food house
