Even if you clean your home regularly, it is still possible for your tiles and walls to develop mold. Some environmental factors that promote the growth of mold – flood or constant heavy rains are not always within your control.
Mold and mildew are not only unpleasant; they promote sinus infections, skin irritation, allergies, and other similar health conditions.
Some people may seek the assistance of pest control companies to fumigate their homes. Using chemicals for fumigation, however, may also have certain health risks. Hiring such assistance may also be rather costly.
You can get rid of mold safely by using a strong mold and mildew remover.
Household remedies for eliminating mold from your home
You can get most mold and mildew removers from stores selling home and kitchen supplies. Try one or more of the following solutions:
- Distilled Ethanol
Distilled ethanol helps to kill mold. It also helps to stop mold from growing again in areas which are highly prone to mold. You can get distilled ethanol from pest control stores. Spray the product on areas where the mold grows.
- Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil has strong anti-fungi properties which make it an effective mold killer and deterrent. It kills living mold and prevents its recurrence.
To make your own tea tree oil solution, simply blend 100 ml of tea tree oil with the same amount of white vinegar in a spray bottle. Put in 500 ml of water and mix well.
Vigorously scrub the mold-infested area you want to treat to remove visible signs of the mold. Spray the area with your tea tree oil mixture. After 5 hours, spray again. Repeat the procedure until you remove all traces of mold.
- Chlorine Bleach
Chlorine bleach is another strong and inexpensive anti-mold remedy. Sprinkle or dust the infected area with the bleach and then use a sponge or scrub to wipe the mold off the area.
- Vinegar
Vinegar is a strong fungicide which helps eradicate mold from your floors, walls, and other affected surfaces.
Use a strong brush to scuff off the mold. Apply vinegar to the area by means of a clean kitchen cleaning sponge. Repeat the application until the mold disappears completely.
A lot of people use vinegar because it is inexpensive, easy to use, and does not leave any stain. For best results, opt for white distilled vinegar.
- Grapefruit Extract
Grapefruit extract is another safe and effective mold solution. It may be costlier than other options. However, it has no acidic smell. If you have babies or kids, you do not have to worry about any negative consequences from using grapefruit extract to eliminate mold from your home.
- Alcohol Spray
You can use alcohol like vodka to kill mold. Put come vodka in a spray bottle. Give mold-prone areas a strong squirt of vodka. The mold will become frizzed after a few seconds. Use a strong sponge to wipe the dead mold off the surface.
- Hydrogen Peroxide
Make a hydrogen peroxide solution by adding a teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide to one cup of water. Put the mixture in a spray bottle. Spray the affected area with this mixture and wait for about 15 minutes for the remedy to take effect. Use a wash cloth to wipe off the mold from the surface.
Follow up the procedure with a spray of baking soda solution (1/2 teaspoon of baking soda dissolved in one cup of water) to check the further growth of mold.
- Borax Solution
Borax is a natural cleaner. It has no additional chemicals and does not emit fumes.
Prepare your own borax solution by mixing a cup of borax with a gallon of tepid water. Use the solution for eliminating existing mold and inhibiting subsequent mold growth.
Use a brush to apply the solution. Vigorously scrub off the mold. Use a clean piece of cloth to wipe off the excess solution from the surface you are working on.
Borax works well on surfaces that are non-porous. You can use the solution on the tiles in your kitchen and bathroom. Borax may not be as effective on wooden surfaces.
- Varnish
Mold thrives on wooden floors and furniture especially when the weather is humid. The fungi can decrease the aesthetic value of your property, give off a disagreeable musty smell, and promote harmful allergens.
If you see mold in your wooden furniture or floors, try to gently scrape off the mold and apply varnish on the wooden surface. Varnish helps to get rid of any remaining mold and seals off the wood to protect it from mold recurrence.
- Grout and Tile Sealants
Excessive moisture in the kitchen or bathroom may encourage the growth of mold and mildew particularly in the space found between tiles. You can address this problem by purchasing organic grout and tile sealants and applying them to the said space between tiles. This method will prevent the unsightly formation of mold on your tiles.
- Dehumidifier
Mold tends to return when there is moisture in the air. It is wise to invest in a high-quality dehumidifier to prevent the humid environment under which mold thrive. The regular use of a good dehumidifier helps to control and prevent the formation of mold.
Mold removal tips
Mold control household cleaners will eliminate between 80% and 85% of the mold. Many of these products, however, including vinegar, ethanol, varnish, and bleach will leave an acidic odor. When using these products, make sure that you are ably protected by using goggles, protective mask, and gloves. Shield yourself from the mold spores by wearing protective clothing.
When you are applying these products, make sure to keep pets, children, and older people off the area that you are working on.
Do not ignore visible signs of mold. They may signal the presence of serious moisture problems in your ceilings or walls which, if left unaddressed may cause severe wood rot. Do not simply wipe off the mold and disregard it. Look for the water source that has caused the problem and find an effective and lasting solution.
Mold that forms near plumbing fixtures, water pipes, and icemaker or waste lines are likely to be feeding off leaks that are close at hand. Look for damp spots. Check your pipes. Look for the leaks and fix them to prevent moisture from building up.
If you want to prevent the growth of mold, you have to reduce moisture and keep your home well-ventilated. Open the windows, turn on the electric fans, install air conditioning, or use a dehumidifier.