Six Non-toxic Ways to Get Rid of Mold and Mildew
You probably don’t know it but you’ve got a silent killer in your house. It can be found on bathroom tiles, in closets and even under floors. Mold and mildew may not often be visible to the naked eye but they can cause allergies, stomach problems and even cancerous tumors. Black mold, especially, can be very deadly because it can cause serious diarrhea and respiratory problems. Although you might think that the only way to remove mold or to kill them is by using widely available mold removal substances, these are also toxic and can cause the same problems as mold itself. There are healthier, non-toxic options to remove mold from your household using organic
and safe methods. Follow these easy, non-toxic ways to killing and preventing mold in your house.
1. Combat mold-friendly environment. Mold and mildew, especially black mold, thrives on an environment that isdark, moist and warm. This includes your bathroom (especially your bathtubs and your shower stall), basements with leaking pipes and on roofs. To prevent mold from growing, be sure to wipe down your shower stall or bathtub after bathing, fix leaky pipes and clean your roof regularly. You should also be sure that there is no standing water anywhere in your house. You should also allow fresh air to ventilate throughout all the rooms in your home.
2. Use the rays of the sun. You can put clothing, rugs or other items that have mold and mildew on them under the sun. This is an easy, safe way to remove mold without using harsh, toxic chemicals. You can also use a sun lamp to kill mold. The UV rays of the sun can even kill airborne mold and mold spores. You can draw open the curtains of the rooms in your house to let healthy sunlight in to kill mold and mildew.
3. Use a vinegar spray. Using vinegar is a safe and effective way to remove mold without exposing yourself to toxic chemicals. Simply put vinegar and water (about 40% vinegar and 60% water) in a handy spray bottle. Shake the mixture and spray all surfaces and areas where there is mold or where mold can grow. Don’t worry about the vinegary smell—this dissipates after the vinegar-water mixture dries.
4. Try tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is an antiseptic and an anti-bacterial. It is also a great remedy against mold and mildew. Mix one teaspoon of tea tree oil with about a cup of water. Dab a sponge or rag in the mixture and proceed to wipe down or scrub moldy areas. You can also dampen a soft rag with a little of this mixture to remove mold (and even that icky moldy smell!) from leather wallets and bags.
5. Go for grapefruit seed extract. Like tea tree oil, grapefruit seed extract is an effective antiseptic and anti-bacterial agent. It can fight, prevent and get rid of mold, including black mold. As with vinegar, you can mix grapefruit seed extract with water (about 9 drops of extract with one cup of water) to create a non-toxic spray that can kill mold and mildew.
6. Kill mold and mildew with baking soda. Baking soda has a lot of benefits—it can whiten, deodorize and kill black mold. You can create a baking soda spray by mixing ¼ tablespoon baking soda with one cup of water in a spray bottle. This can be sprayed onto surfaces with mold. It can even deodorize your bathroom and kitchen as well.
Mold and mildew, especially black mold, is very harmful to your health. But you don’t have to use toxic cleaners that can also cause health problems just to remove mold from your home. Keep in mind these healthy alternatives to keep your house free from mold and other toxins.
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December 30th, 2009 at 5:14 am
Another non-toxic solution is Thieves essential oil. Homeowners with mold concerns may want to check out the remarkable research on toxic mold removal done by environmental expert Dr Ed Close. Simply diffusing a therapeutic-grade essential oil regularly will likely result in an environment very hostile to mold, not to mention the health benefits, long-term protection, and simply making your home smell great.
In one instance, 10,667 stachybotrys mold spores were identified in a per cubic meter area. After diffusing Thieves essential oil for forty-eight hours, Dr Close retested. Only thirteen stachybotrys remained. Similarly, 75,000 stachybotrys mold spores were identified in a sample of sheetrock. After seventy-two hours of diffusing, no stachybotrys mold spores remained. (Stachybotrys has a reputation for being the most toxic mold.)
January 29th, 2010 at 2:54 pm
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