You know it.
The smell is instantly recognizable when we walk into a musky room or open a bottom cabinet door.
Mold and mildew can cause severe allergic reactions for some people, and in a few cases, mold can be deadly.
It’s even worse when mold grows on your bath towels. Using a good towel warmer is an option. But it’s not the optimal way.
To remove the nasty stuff people often turn to using harsh chemicals and sprays.
However, some of these products also pose health risks.
It is enough to make those of us with allergies want to scream.
There has to be a better way to get rid of this problem without using harsh chemicals.
And the good news is, you can get rid of mold and mildew naturally with the following proven tips.
How To Eliminate Mold With Ammonia
Ammonia is one of the most effective ways to do away with various types of common mildew on hard, nonporous surfaces.
That includes things like countertops, cabinets, and around sinks.
Before eliminating mold, there are a few things to remember.
1. Always wear gloves
2. Properly ventilate the area by opening a window or using a fan
3. Never mix ammonia with bleach
4. Use protective glasses
Ammonia fumes are toxic for some people.
If you are allergic to ammonia, please see other tips below.
Allergic reactions to ammonia are very rare, but they do happen.
First, mix a solution of ammonia and water.
A 50-50 mixture should be fine.
You can pour the solution directly onto the affected area or use a spray bottle.
Let the solution sit for about five to ten minutes and then scour the affected entire with a small brush.
Finally, wipe the area down with a damp cloth.
Rinse and repeat as necessary until the whole surface is clean.
Use Vinegar To Remove Mold
Among the most cost-effective ways to remove mold and mildew is to use plain white vinegar.
Unlike ammonia, you do not need to mix it with water.
Simply pour it straight from the bottle onto the affected area.
You can also pour vinegar into a spray bottle for doing small areas.
Vinegar is highly effective, and it is a natural antimicrobial.
Therefore, it also has some disinfecting qualities.
The odor does not hang around long, so it makes a great spot cleaner too.
You can also use vinegar unclog your favorite shower heads also.
So, it really is a helpful liquid.
Baking Soda Is Another Cheap Product That Kills Mold
Baking soda is great to use around any area that has ceramic tile.
It is mildly abrasive, and that makes it great for scrubbing away mildew from grout lines.
That is an area where mildew usually leaves stains even after we clean them using the solutions mentioned above.
First, take a small dish and make a paste out of the baking soda using water.
Then use a brush or sponge to work the paste into the grout lines.
Some people say a toothbrush is highly effective.
It lets them get around hard-to-reach places like faucets.
Once complete simply rinse the area with white vinegar.
That will eliminate any residue from the baking soda.
Finish the area off by wipe it down with a rag and some fresh, clean water.
Hydrogen Peroxide Kills Mold In Those Hard To Reach Places
Hydrogen peroxide is more expensive than baking soda, but it is also great for those hard-to-reach porous places.
The bubbling action lifts the mold from the pores making it easy to wipe away.
But first, allow the peroxide stand for about 10 minutes.
There is no need to dilute it.
Complete the job with a rag and clean water.
Tea Tree Oil Kills All Forms Of Mold and Mildew
Tea Tree Oil is among nature’s natural fungicides.
It can rapidly eliminate all of your mold or mildew problems.
However, buying quality Tea Tree Oil is expensive.
The good news is that it does not take much of it to do the job.
To clean up the area place ten drops of tea tree oil in water.
Spray the area down and then let it sit for a few minutes.
Wipe away any mold and residue using a damp cloth.
Repeat if necessary.
Some folks have reported success using Grapefruit Seed Extract too.
Bleach For Killing Everything From Bacteria To Mildew
I think we all know how that bleach is good for sanitizing an area.
What most people do not know, however, is that bleach is also great for killing various types of mold and mildew.
Be sure to use the same precautions above for ammonia when using bleach.
Never mix bleach with ammonia or vinegar and remember that bleach fumes are very strong.
Pay particular attention to adequate ventilation and consider purchasing a disposable N95 respirator from the drug store.
To eradicate mold mix one cup of bleach to one gallon of water.
Mix thoroughly but make sure you are wearing adequate eye protection.
Pour the solution onto the affected area and scrub gently using a small brush or rag.
Rinse and repeat as necessary until all traces of mold and mildew are gone.
Borax, It Is Not Just For Laundry
Some people may remember Borax from the old T.V. commercials.
It has always been a great laundry additive.
However, Borax can also remove mold and mildew.
Moreover, it is not necessary to take the precautions as mentioned above but remember that Borax is toxic.
Therefore do not ingest any of it by accident.
To remove mold and mildew using Borax mix 1 cup of the powder to 1 gallon of water.
Stir well and then pour the solution over the area.
Use a brush or cloth to clean the area as mentioned above.
Then wipe the entire area down using clean freshwater.
Conclusion
These are the top seven ways to rid your home of mold and mildew using only natural products.
Once the job is complete, take the time to look for the cause of the mold.
The source could be as simple as a dripping faucet or as complicated as a leaking roof.
Investigating the cause of the mold problem and then addressing it will ensure that the mold problem does not return.
We hope these tips are helpful!
Sources:
http://www.howtoremoveblackmold.com/how-to-kill-black-mold.html
http://www.naturallivingideas.com/get-rid-of-mold-mildew-naturally/
http://www.mnn.com/your-home/at-home/stories/kill-mold-naturally-5-eco-friendly-ideas
http://www.mnn.com/health/healthy-spaces/stories/how-to-kill-mildew-naturally
http://www.organicauthority.com/sanctuary/get-rid-of-mold-and-mildew-naturally.html
http://wizclean.com/safe-effective-ways-remediate-mold-home-crystal-lake/
Products you might like:
- How Much Should You Pay for Bidet Toilet Seats - January 31, 2017
- What are Bidet Toilet Seats? - January 31, 2017
- How to Use Bidet Toilet Seats - January 31, 2017