From Guest Blogger Diana Smith: Getting Rid of Mold Naturally

Mould makes for more than a merely aesthetical issue – it is toxic and, as such, not something you want to touch, breathe in, or even be in proximity of. Using a variety of chemicals will help you get rid of it, but toxic compounds are, just as mould, something best avoided entirely. Fortunately, there are natural ways to kill mould and here are some guidelines to abide by.

Know why you’re getting rid of it

Sure, you’ve doubtlessly heard a ton of stories and read dozens of articles that have claimed that mould is a health hazard, but being aware of this fact is nowhere near as efficient as knowing it. One of the biggest problems with health issues related to mould are the symptoms – not the lack of them, but rather the fact that they aren’t necessarily relatable to mould. For example, a runny nose during summer is a relatively common thing, as are headaches, rashes (especially if you are a pet owner), fatigue, depression and many others, yet all of these are potential symptoms of a mould problem. In fact, mould exposure can also be associated with numerous cancers.

Humidity is a problem

Mould and mildew usually catch on in bathrooms and kitchens, primarily because these are wet environments. Investing in a dehumidifier can go a long way in stopping the mould from spreading, but this might not entirely solve the issue. Leaky plumbing is the main culprit behind mould and mildew occurring in hard-to-reach areas, such as behind the walls, under cabinets or behind and under your washing machine. Damp rugs, moist towels, and wet clothes are potentially the biggest issue – leave them lying around for too long and you’re risking getting into direct skin contact with mould!

Try the tea tree oil mixture

Mixing a teaspoon of tea tree essential oil with a cup of water and putting it in a spray bottle will give you one of the most efficient weapons against mould. Spray the content and leave it on for a couple of hours (or even better, overnight) and it will kill the nasty fungus. Now, scrub the area in order to finish off any persistent mould that has survived the first wave of tea tree oil and leave it on the surface, so that it doesn’t come back. Optionally, if you run out of tea tree oil, you can finish off with baking soda, wiping the whole area.

Vinegar

If you know your way around housekeeping, you know how useful remedy vinegar is. In fact, plain white vinegar is among the best all-natural cleaners out there! By its nature, vinegar is antimicrobial, so there is no need for mixing it with other ingredients; just pour it into a spray bottle and spray it onto wherever your mould problem might be. A couple of minutes is more than enough for it to get rid of the nasty fungus.

An expert opinion goes a long way

One of the biggest issues with mould lies in the fact that it isn’t easy to spot. In fact, even if you happen to stumble upon mould or mildew in a single place, there is no guarantee that this is the only problem spot in your home. Opting for environmental consulting before taking things into your own hands is always the smart way to go – an inspection will determine whether there’s a health risk around that’s invisible to the naked eye.

Going natural with mould removal is an excellent choice, but in order to handle everything properly, first you need to know why you’re getting rid of it and where to look first. Of course, the best way to go is hiring experts to find the mould for you, so that you can use the mentioned natural removal methods on target spots.