Attacking Mold
I hate cleaning. It is a fact. I especially dislike cleaning the bathroom. The warmth and dampness is the perfect environment for persistent mold and fungus. It thrives in those hard to reach corners and in between tiles. Not only is it unsightly but it can pose some health concerns.
Did you know there’s a more ecologically and health-friendly way to deal with mold in your home? Most of us run right to the chemicals to get rid of mold before it spreads. However, these chemicals are bad for us and they’re bad for the world around us. You may find that after you’ve used a heavy dose of mold killers you feel sick or “off” for a few hours to a few days.
Commercial mold killers contain sodium hydroxide – lye, and sodium hypochlorite – bleach. These are chemicals that can be very useful and not terribly environmentally damaging in small amounts when used correctly but extremely damaging in large amounts or when used wrongly.
These chemical based cleaners are highly corrosive, which is another reason to use cleaners of this strength only when you have to. In most cases mold killing in the bathroom is not one of those times. Here are some of the other friendlier options you can use to kill mold.
Borax and Dishwashing Detergent
Use a gentle, environmentally friendly dishwashing liquid – one teaspoon mixed with one teaspoon of borax and a quart of warm water can be used to soak moldy areas. Rinse them off and air dry. Just do not overdo it with borax as it still has some health effects in large doses.
Eucalyptus
Combine a tablespoon of methylated spirits, a tablespoon of eucalyptus oil and two cups of water. Spray the problem area then allow the surface to dry.
Grapefruit Seed Extract
Twenty drops of grapefruit seed extract or other citrus seed extract can also be mixed with two cups of water. Spray and allow to dry just like eucalyptus.
Tea Tree Oil
Another great oil for attacking mold is tea tree oil – a great natural antimicrobial. Mix a teaspoon of it with two cups of water, then spray on and let dry.
Vinegar
Once again vinegar is the king of household cleaning liquids. Mix it one part vinegar to four parts water, spray, and allow to dry to rid yourself of many molds.
Baking Soda
Baking soda works well, too. Mix two parts baking soda with a one to one solution of vinegar and water to create a thick paste. Let this dry on the surface then scrub off. This process can be repeated for really stubborn mold.
Of course there are times when these substances won’t work and a more aggressive approach becomes necessary. However, you can reduce the chances of that happening by cleaning more frequently instead of letting problems build up. If you’re in a situation where even tea tree oil is not able to fix things, you can still make using commercial cleaners a lot safer.
Try damming off the affected area with cloths or towels to keep cleaners from running down the drain and use them sparingly. Wipe off runs then treat with tea tree oil after the area has been cleaned. Allow cleaner saturated fabric to sit for a while and dry in a well ventilated area before washing – that will encourage some of the problem materials to become inert.
Cleaning in general can be hard on our bodies and the environment but tackling aggressive mold can be particularly hard. The ideal solution would be to take care of the small problems before they become big problems. Set up a cleaning schedule and keep your favourite mold cleaning ingredients handy so you can attack any problem areas as soon as you see them.
Here is a link to an ebook that you may find useful. Going Green & Saving Green
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Thing you need to understand is; all homes have some degree of mold. It is a product of nature. This is especially true in coastal regions with higher levels of humidity. So if you had your home tested for mold there is better than average chance it will be found.
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If you’ve had flooding, this is pretty simple. You’ll just have to wait for the water to recede. However, if the moisture is from another source, such as a broken pipe or a roof leak, you must locate and control the source before you begin the clean up.
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