The Most Effective Solutions for Removing Mold from Your Home

Introduction

Mildew, also known as mold, prefers to grow in damp areas around your household. They are a type of fungus that if left unchecked will cover the windowsills, shower walls, and any other part of your household that remotely attracts moisture. It can cause minor to severe health problems if they grow within your homes, such as breathing problems, asthma, and other allergic reactions. It’s advised that you seek professional help when facing a mold outbreak, something which you can easily do by Googling ‘home cleaning services near me’. However, if they are not near you or if you prefer to DIY, then here are a quick few home remedies that will help you get rid of mold from your home.

The Solutions

1. Solution of the tree tea oil– Tea tree oil is a prime repellent for spiders. However, it can also come in handy when dealing with black mold, or any other variants. The oil is considered a natural fungicide that doubles as a cleaning reagent. It is more than capable of getting rid of mold and preventing it from returning.

Begin with combining one teaspoon of tea tree oil with one cup of water. Based on the size of the area, you can increase the solution, but strictly to the 1:1 ratio. Shake the mixture properly and pour the entire thing into a spray bottle. A dampened towel can also be used but a spray bottle covers more area. After you’ve applied the entire mixture over the mold-affected areas, leave it for an hour or so. Now take a dry towel or a microfiber cloth and wipe the entire thing away.

Make sure you are wearing protective gloves and a mask to protect yourself against any floating particles. Even though it’s a natural solution, the overall mixture can irritate your skin and even cause breathing problems.

2. Baking soda– Baking soda is the answer to almost all house-related cleaning chores. Not only is it a safe substance that you can easily use near your pets and kids, but it’s also a great absorbing agent. When applied over mold, it sucks the invader dry off the wall and also prevents any further growth.

Take a container and add one part water and one part baking soda. If you need more, be sure to maintain the 50-50 ratio. As you keep stirring, a thick paste will be formed. Apply the solution or paste-like substance with a towel and leave it for 10-15 minutes. After that, use a brush to scrape away the mold spots. After you are done, mix two tablespoons of baking soda with two cups of water and pour the solution into a spray bottle. Shake it well and hard before spraying a uniform layer over the place you just wiped with the brush.

The first coat cleans off the mold, while the second layer prevents any further growth in the near future.

3. Grapefruit seed extract– Grapefruit extract may be great for healthcare remedies, but it can also be used for clearing off mold from your home. The seeds contain various useful compounds such as limonoids and naringenin which are classified as polyphenols. They are responsible for inhibiting mold growth and do so by disinfecting and sterilizing the wall surface. Even after cleaning, the acids keep preventing the mold spores from returning to the surface.

To prepare the solution, use ten drops of grapefruit seed extract oil and pour it in a cup of water. You can use towels, but as always, spray bottles are recommended. Spray the solution, and let it sit for about ten minutes to an hour. It is usually how deep the mold formation is in your home. The deeper and bigger the mold spots, the longer you will want to let the solution settle on the surface.

After the allotted time has passed, use a cloth to rinse off the mixture, and make sure to use gloves and while cleaning.

4. Vinegar solution– Vinegar constitutes antibacterial and antifungal properties. It’s a cheaper alternative if you are not comfortable with any of the aforementioned substances. Vinegar usually contains 58-% acetic acid and has a pH value of 2.5, which is enough to stop the growth of several organisms, alongside fungi.

However, it is advised that you not use vinegar on stone countertops, electronic screens, wooden floors, miscellaneous metals, and porous surfaces. To create the solution, pour some undiluted vinegar into a spray bottle. You can even pour it directly, but it’s just wasteful. So use a spray bottle and spray it over on the mold. Let the solution sit for at least an hour before washing it off. Dry the region thoroughly and afterward get rid of the brush and the cleaning towels (this applies to all the methods mentioned above).

Some homeowners prefer bleach, but the fumes can be irritating to skin, eyes, and lungs especially for people with respiratory problems.

5. Hydrogen peroxide– Do not get confused by the name, because hydrogen peroxide is a natural solution. It contains antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. Moreover, not only is it safe to use, but it does not affect the surface at all and is environment-friendly. However, it can bleach wool, so to prevent any accidents, clean off any fabric that might come in contact with it.

To create the mixture, mix one-part hydrogen oxide (3%) with two parts of water in a spray bottle. Stir and spray all over the surface. Let the solution sit for at least ten minutes or wait till it stops bubbling. Then proceed to clean the surface with a dry cloth or rag. Repeat the process if necessary or if you think the surface still needs some cleaning.

Conclusion

A clean home is necessary for the well-being of you and your family. Mold can be cumbersome, but it’s still manageable. These DIY remedies do a great job of handling almost any kind of mold. However, if the mold persists even after repeated attempts, then you should consider calling in the experts. Simply search for ‘home cleaning services near me’ and you will get numerous recommendations.