Are there ugly green or black slimy patches on your walls or bathrooms? This means that you are having a problem called mold. It will not only make your home look unhygienic, but also create hygiene problems for you. So it is better to get rid of this uninvited guest as soon as possible.
The problem of molds can be solved by using some of the effective home remedies found in the nature.
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What Is Mold?
Molds are basically fungi that grow in clusters. Their growth is in the form of multicellular filaments called as hyphae. Single-celled fungi are known as yeast.
You can observe these yeasts on your stale bread. Mold and yeast spoil the food, but are very helpful in the preparation of beverages, antibiotics, and enzymes.
Mold can be observed in a variety of colors with a musty smell. These unwanted microbes will make your homes and offices their workplace, making the air stale leading to poor ventilation. Sometimes molds can be greatly destructive, fighting a war with the damp places in your home.
Moisture or humid environment is required for the mold to grow. Air humidifiers, cooking, leaks or washing could be the sources of moisture. The amount of molds present indoors is greater than the molds present outdoors.
Molds have spores and release them into the surrounding air. These tiny spores and invisible to the naked eye and anyone can inhale them. They enter into the lungs and can cause respiratory problems. They can even cause skin irritation and allergies.
So here are a few remedies that will clean up these greenish black patches in your buildings.
11 Best Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Molds
1.Remove The Moisture
Humidity is food to the molds. So it’s best to get rid of the moisture in the air.
- Buy a dehumidifier for the kitchens and bathrooms.
- Repair any leaking pipes and fix the cracks in the wall.
- Keep the doors and windows open to let the stale air out.
- Ventilation fans are good for air circulation.
- When not in use, always keep the shower curtain closed.
- Don’t let wet clothes, moist rugs, damp carpets etc. just lying around in the house.
2.Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is known for its anti-fungal properties. It is a powerful natural agent that has the capacity to kill the mold.This is best remedy to get rid of fungus from the wall.
- Take a spray bottle and fill it with water. Add 10-12 drops of tea tree oil in it.
- Spray this solution on the hard surfaces where the mold growth can be seen.
- Scrub it a little and repeat the process if needed.
- Shake the spray bottle well each time before using it.
3.White Vinerar
Vinegar acts as a good cleansing agent. It has antifungal and anti-bacterial properties. It can kill up to 80% of the mold.
- Take some white vinegar in a spray bottle.
- Spray it on the molds, this will kill and dissolve the fungi.
- Take a cloth and wipe it off.
4.Distilled Ethanol
Fermented liquids have the capacity to kill the growth of fungi. Alcohol like vodka, which is prepared by grain distillation, will eliminate the molds.
- Take some cheap alcohol in a spray bottle.
- Spray it on the mold. Let it set for 5 minutes.
- Take a cloth or a sponge and wipe it off.
5.Grapefruit Seed Extract
Grapefruit seed extract is a very effective home remedy to get rid of molds. It is also odorless and inexpensive.
- Take 500ml of water in a spray bottle and add 20 drops of grapefruit seed extract in it.
- Shake well and spray it on the places with molds.
- Don’t wipe it off the surface. Just dap it a little with the help of a paper towel. Don’t use water.
6.Baking Soda
Baking soda is strong and thus can kill the growth of fungus. It acts as a great cleaning agent for the molds.
- Take 500ml of water in a spray bottle and add about 1 tsp. of baking soda in it. Mix it well.
- Spray it on the mold and scrub it with the help of a scrubbing brush.
- Wash it with clean lukewarm water.
- After the area it cleaned, spray the solution again. Let it dry. This will kill the remaining fungi.
- You can follow this technique along with the vinegar method.
7.Hydrogen Peroxide
This is a very simple and easy method to get rid of the nasty molds.
- Take 3% hydrogen peroxide and apply it directly on the mold.
- Wipe it with a sponge.
- Don’t leave hydrogen peroxide sitting on the surface as it is very harsh.
8.Borax
Borax is a mineral powder that is natural and is white in color. It acts as a pesticide, disinfectant, herbicide and fungicide.
- Take 4 L of hot water and mix 250 ml of borax in it. Dissolve it completely.
- Pour this solution in a spray bottle and spray it on the surfaces with molds.
- Let it set for a few minutes.
- Take a scrubbing brush and scrub the area.
- Do not wash away the borax.
9.Varnish
Varnish is very effective in getting rid of the mold. It not only kills the fungi but also prevents any further reoccurrence.
- Scrape out the mold with the help of flat edged knife.
- You can also use any of the above mentioned remedies.
- Then, treat the area with varnish.
- This is very good for wooden surfaces as varnishes stays much longer on it.
10.Soap Water
Soap water is the basic step in removing the mold. It is also the simplest of all the remedies.
- Scrape out the mold with a knife and salt paper.
- Mix some detergent in water to form soap water.
- Then wash the affected area with this.
- Repeat every day to avoid the mold growth.
11.Tile And Grount Sealing
It is very important to seal the gaps and cracks in the tiles as the moisture build up could result into mold growth. Sealants that are organic are available in the market.
Tips
- While using the home remedies, wear gloves and a mask. If you sense any kind of eye irritation, wear goggles.
- In severe cases, wearing a respirator is recommended.
- Don’t use a home vacuum cleaner or a fan during the process, as they can spread the spores from the molds.
- Rent a HEPA vacuum cleaner, as it has special filters to remove toxins.
- Dry the area out with HEPA vacuum. It will suck the moisture out from small cracks in the walls and tiles.
- Never reuse the towels or sponges you use to scrub the molds.
- Wrap the used towels in plastic bag and discard them.
- Drain out any stagnant water from your kitchen sinks, bathrooms, basins, toilets etc.
- Wash your clothes after cleaning the molds.
- Seal all the cracks and unfinished tiles in your home to prevent the further growth of the fungus.
- Place all the wooden objects in sunlight, in case of green or black mold.
- Improve the air ventilation in your house.
- Use wood polish after using cleaning agents as they can affect your walls and wooden surfaces.
- Fix all the leaking points in your roofs.
- Avoid using very strong chemical agents for mold removal. Mold gives off very pungent smell to its surrounding that will lead to respiratory problems and allergies.
- Using mild acids is not at all recommended.
- Avoid using bleaching agents near your garden or lawn as they are not eco-friendly and will kill the plants.
