Mould is a grey and unpleasant household pest. It occupies spaces very quickly, but getting rid of this unwelcome guest is much harder than you might expect.
Mould often ‘decorates’ the walls, floors, window frames and the windows and other surfaces of your home. So it would seem that mould should be eradicated primarily because it looks very unaesthetic and damages the structure of buildings.
But the biggest problem is not even there: mould damages our bodies and affects our health. Mould removers and folk remedies come in a wide range of forms, from those found in cupboards to store-bought remedies (such as a mould remover from a household goods store) that give a 100% result.
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What are the most effective and efficient folk remedies against mould?
Removing mould with vinegar
Vinegar is an excellent anti-mould remedy that not only removes unwanted odours, but also helps to eliminate mould. Vinegar is one of the mould killers found in every home.
It is best suited for small areas of mould damage. Vinegar is said to be 80% effective as an anti-mould treatment.
How to use?
Spray the vinegar liberally on the mould-damaged areas and leave it for a few hours. By the way, use only pure vinegar: diluted vinegar will not work. If the smell of vinegar is annoying and unpleasant, you can add a few drops of essential oil to the spray bottle.
Vinegar smells pungent but does not have any adverse health effects. Afterwards, rub the mould colonies with a damp cloth to remove the vinegar and mould residues.
Vinegar is a remedy for mould that our great-grandparents proved, and their wisdom is not to be dismissed.
Anti-mould remedy – baking soda powder
How to use? Mix powdered baking soda with water (about 1 part water to 1 part baking soda) and apply the mixture to the affected areas.
You can rely on this mould killer if you let it work overnight, but if you don’t have the chance, a few hours will do. Afterwards, again remove any residue from the solution with a clean, damp cloth.
However, many people who have tried it say that baking soda is a bit too mild as an anti-mould remedy. However, it is perfect if you notice mould in your fridge or bakery. Clean the inside of the fridge or breadbox thoroughly with a soda solution, then dry the surfaces well.
Make sure your fridge or bakery is not damp, or mould will become a regular visitor. You can also use products that absorb moisture.
Baking soda is also an excellent absorber of moisture: you can sprinkle it on horizontal surfaces affected by mould and then sweep or vacuum it up.
Anti-mould spray – Tea tree essential oil
Tea tree oil has long been known as a mould-killing, anti-fungal agent.
How to use? So, 3-5 tbsp. Mix 3 to 5 teaspoons of tea tree essential oil with half a glass of water. Pour the resulting solution into a spray bottle.
Then spray the solution on the mould-occupied areas and leave it for at least 1-3 hours, possibly longer. Afterwards, simply wipe the surfaces with a damp cloth. This anti-mould spray is one of the most environmentally friendly.
Mould removers – hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is widely used as a treatment for viruses, bacteria, moulds and bacterial spores, as well as to disinfect surfaces. It safely removes mould from kitchen surfaces, household appliances, bathrooms and pipes, walls and more.
How to use?
Hydrogen peroxide should be mixed 1:1 (i.e. equal parts) with water. Spray the solution on the mould affected areas and leave for about 10 minutes, then wipe the sprayed areas with a damp cloth.
If you are spraying peroxide on more sensitive surfaces, such as painted or wallpapered walls, then you can first spray a small area of peroxide and observe whether the solution has affected the finish. For maximum effect, the solution should be left on the mould affected area for longer.
Hydrogen peroxide is considered as an alternative to chlorine-containing products and bleaches because it has no long-term negative effects.
Mould remover bleach
If folk remedies for mould have not brought the expected results, then perhaps the best mould remover is bleach.
How do I kill mould with bleach?
Add water and household bleach (10:1) to a spray bottle and spray the solution on mould-affected walls, floors, window frames etc.
Mould remover bleach is very effective, but bleach is not an environmentally friendly product and there is an increased chance of the bleach damaging the surface, so spray small areas first to get a solution and watch for lightening.
Lemon juice is also suitable for mould control
How to use? First squeeze the lemon juice, then brush it on the mouldy areas and leave it on for at least 10 minutes. Afterwards, again remove any residual juice with a damp cloth.
However, lemon juice is only effective once mould has started to grow, before it is established.
Household soap as an anti-mould remedy
If the mould in your home is recent, you can use household soap: 10 g of soap chips in 1 litre of water will do. Use this solution to wash the mouldy areas. This type of mould remedy is again one of the most natural and least harmful.
You can’t eradicate mould if you don’t tackle the cause
However, none of the measures described above will have a lasting effect if you don’t tackle the cause of the mould. The most common causes of mould are:
- In case of defective workmanship. In such cases, mould testing should be carried out to find out the exact cause of the mould in the house or other room.
- In case of increased humidity, the installation of quality dehumidifiers should be taken care of.
- In the absence of adequate ventilation. More frequent ventilation of the room, as well as the installation of vents, fans and other solutions can help.
Home mould control: don’t forget to arm yourself with the right ammunition
Mould is far from being friendly to our health, as you can inhale its spores. So before you start cleaning it, equip yourself properly: wear a protective mask or respirator and gloves. When you have finished your work, ventilate your home thoroughly.
And take all the necessary measures to make sure mould never comes back. And if the mould is very widespread and you can’t tackle it on your own, if you have no idea why it keeps reappearing, don’t delay and contact our team!
