Kill mold naturally
Practical tips to get that black stuff away.
By Networx.comWed, Sep 08 2010 at 12:33 PM EST
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Photo: Chiot's Run/Flickr 
Rid your home of mold and mildew using nontoxic and affordable ingredients that eliminate any need for a scrub brush. A proliferation of mold and mildew can be the hallmark of hot and humid summers. Though dehumidifiers help, luckily there are many natural materials that can be used as a spray to kill mold and mildew. They are all an excellent substitute for less environmentally safe bleach.
Tea tree oil, an essential oil found in most health food stores, is expensive, but nothing natural works quite as well for mold and mildew. This broad spectrum fungicide does have a strong smell, which usually dissipates within days, so use the following recipe on moldy ceilings, musty bureaus and rugs or moldy showers.
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Combine 2 teaspoons tea tree oil and 2 cups water in a spray bottle, shake to blend, and spray on problem areas. Do not rinse. Makes about 2 cups and lasts indefinitely.
Grapefruit seed extract is also expensive, yet effective, but unlike tea tree oil, it is odorless. Create a spray by combining 20 drops grapefruit seed extract with 2 cups water in a spray bottle, shake to blend, and spray on problem areas and do not rinse. It makes about 2 cups, and lasts indefinitely.
Vinegar is another natural mold and mildew remedy and by far the cheapest. Straight vinegar reportedly kills 82 percent of mold so pour some white distilled vinegar straight into a spray bottle, spray on the moldy area, and let set without rinsing if you can put up with the smell. It will dissipate in a few hours.
For light stains, dilute the vinegar with an equal amount of water. You can also prevent mildew from forming on the bottoms of rugs and carpeting by misting the backs with full-strength white vinegar from a spray bottle.
Just because your plastic shower curtain or liner gets dirty or mildewed doesn't mean you have to throw it away. Try cleaning it in your washing machine with two bath towels on the gentle setting, adding 1/2 cup baking soda to your detergent during the wash cycle and 1/2 cup vinegar during the rinse cycle. Then let it drip-dry.
A bottle of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide can also work wonders on mold and mildew. Used on its own, pour the peroxide directly on the offending area and wipe it clean.
When garments are stained with mildew, make a paste of lemon juice and salt and rub it on the affected area, then dry the clothes in sunlight. Repeat the process until the stain is gone. This works well for rust stains on clothes too.
This article was reprinted with permission. It originally appeared here on Networx.com.
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Comments
Somewhere over Wisconsin
07/14/2011 13:16 PM
Cocunut oil contains lauric acid, which is a 100% organic and completely safe and environementally friendly anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral substance. I buy 100% pure organic cocunut oil soap from a company called Tropical Traditions. I use it for hand soap, body wash, and to remove and mildew. It also works great to remove powdery mildew on plants when applied with a spray bottle. It makes me feel great to know that I'm putting fewer chemicals into my own body and my home environement..... More
Thomas J Wilso
07/01/2011 08:15 AM
mold from a house is easily removed with 5 parts water 1 part bleach
Jennifer @ NaturalParentsNetwork.com
06/28/2011 00:14 AM
Ohh, what a great list. Though, we switched to a fabric shower curtain just so I could avoid washing and cleaning that buildup, I didn't know you could wash a plastic one.
MamaChen
04/02/2011 22:18 PM
Great advice. I have some clothing with mold stains. Has anyone tried the lemon stain remover?
Marge
04/16/2011 09:23 AM
I've used lemon juice on my white uniform and set it out in bright sunlight. Results? Stain GONE.
Nothing will whiten and brighten whites like a couple of hours on the clothesline in bright sunlight.
Anonymous
Today 16:02 PM
its spelled mould.
renemaia
01/25/2011 08:52 AM
Will definitely try this, although hope it is strong enough. Where I live it is the winters that cause mold and my ceilings are black with it.
George
09/12/2010 02:44 AM
Hydrogen Peroxide and Vinegar together, spray the vinegar and then the hydro, is 1000 times more effective than them apart. It works absolute wonders.
