If you’ve got mold in your home but don’t have the money to hire professionals and get rid of the menace, you’ve come to the right place. There are lots of ways to get rid of mold naturally without burning a hole in your pocket.
For a small mold infestation, at most, you’ll only have to spend money on buying cleaning solutions and wipes- and if you order free samples online, you can bid goodbye to mold for free! For a large infestation, you might have to shell out some money, but you’ll definitely get the job done for a lot less than what you’d have to pay professionals.
Here are three tips on getting rid of mold and keeping it away for good without having to rely on professional mold removal services.
Dry It All Out
Mold needs moisture to grow, so the best way to eliminate it is by controlling moisture around the house. Use a dehumidifier to keep humidity levels in check, and avoid leaving wet items around the house. Also, avoid leaving wet clothes inside the washing machine or dryer.
If you have a damp basement, reduce water seepage by repairing settlement cracks and extending downspouts or using a rain barrel. Further, waterproof the walls from the outside and use waterproof paint on the inside walls. Remember to reduce condensation by wrapping pipes with insulation foam.
Do away with carpets and upholstered furniture that cannot be dried completely. If moisture is a recurring problem around the house and specifically in the basement, avoid carpeting the floors and try other options.
Ensure Proper Ventilation
Mold usually forms in places that have little to no ventilation. So while having a dehumidifier helps, it is important for your house to be well-ventilated.
Routine domestic activities such as taking a hot shower, cooking, or doing the laundry can encourage the growth of mold. Be sure to use exhaust fans and open windows to let air circulate. If possible, hang clothes outside the house to dry. ACs and dehumidifiers can produce moisture so be sure to check them periodically and clean them as directed by manufacturers.
Use Natural Ingredients to Your Advantage
Eliminating mold doesn’t require you to use toxic chemicals; a lot of ingredients in your kitchen and pantry can effectively kill mold! Here are a few of them.
Vinegar
White distilled vinegar, being a naturally anti-microbial liquid, not only helps get rid of the smell of mold, but the mold itself. All you need to do is spray undiluted vinegar onto a mold or onto surfaces where mold keeps coming back. Let the vinegar sit or wipe clean mold using a brush or cloth.
You can also mix equal parts of vinegar and water and spray on mold-affected areas. If the smell of vinegar bothers you, simply add a few drops of an essential oil of your choice to the solution before spraying.
Vodka
Don’t worry, you don’t have to use the expensive stuff you’ve stashed away! Just use any cheap vodka or distilled ethanol and spray on moldy areas.
You can mix equal parts of vodka and ethanol for less stubborn mold. Clean with a cloth or let the solution dry. As with vinegar, you can use essential oils with vodka to make your home smell good.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is a natural disinfectant and very effective at eliminating mold. Just sprinkle the powder onto moldy areas and let it sit for a while. Grab a brush and set about scrubbing away the tough mold.
For very stubborn mold, use baking soda with the vinegar-water solution.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a common household item and is anti-fungal, anti-viral, and antibacterial in nature. Moreover, it releases oxygen when applied which oxidizes the surface of mold and breaks it up.
Spray hydrogen peroxide on moldy surfaces and leave for about ten minutes. Scrub or clean to remove mold residue. You can use hydrogen peroxide with vinegar or baking soda for better results.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is an effective natural mold remover but is a bit expensive than other common household ingredients. However, a solution of just a teaspoon of tea tree oil and a cup of water can last you for long.
Simply spray the solution on areas where mold is a recurring problem to eliminate mold spores and preventing infestation. Don’t bother about the smell of tea tree oil as it will dissipate within a couple of days.
Grapefruit Seed Extract
Grapefruit seed extract works as good as tea tree oil but has the added benefit of being odorless! Just mix about 20 drops of the extract in 2 cups of water and spray on the mold. Let the extract sit to eliminate and prevent mold.
Conclusion
Mold might seem to be a huge problem, and while it needs to be taken seriously, you don’t have to call mold experts to get rid of it. By adopting healthy practices and using common household ingredients, you can eliminate mold effectively and keep it from coming back to haunt you.
With the tips given here, you know eliminating mold on your own is possible. So get started as soon as you can!
