Ways to get rid of mold in your home?

It is unsightly, can cause allergies, and can even make you sick. Mold is something you don't want in your house. Mold can be easily cleaned up if it's caught quickly. No matter the location of mold in your home there are safe and effective ways to remove it from a variety of household materials.

For your home to be restored to its original mold-free status, all you need is a basic understanding of household supplies and mold.

What is Mold?

First of all, what exactly is mold? Mold is made up of tiny living organisms that thrive when moist areas like basements or bathrooms are damp. Mold and its spores exist everywhere. There are more than 100,000 types of mold, so every homeowner has at least one.

Many kinds of mold are safe, but some can be harmful. No matter the reason, mold shouldn't be allowed in your home. Mold can be harmful to your health, as it can break down matter and trigger allergies. It can also look similar to soil buildup.

Mold is a living organism. The best methods to remove it are killing it and then removing it. If the household mold is kept to a limited area, it should be possible to remove it yourself.

Bleach vs Vinegar: The Killer of Mold

Uh oh, you found the mold. What are you supposed to do? The typical answer is to use bleach or another cleaning chemical on it. Although these cleaners can be harmful to your family and yourself, they are not effective against mold. Vinegar, however, is the real mold-killer.

How does vinegar kill mold if harsh chemicals cannot? Bleach can be used to kill surface molds, but it is not able to penetrate porous materials. It cannot get to the root problem.

Vinegar, however, can penetrate porous surfaces and attack the mold membrane with its acidity. Thus, the entire mold colony is effectively killed so that any spores that survive can reproduce and grow again. While bleach might temporarily clean a moldy area, vinegar can remove it completely.

Vinegar, and Other All-Natural Solutions for Mold Removal

You're probably now aware that bleach does not work and are wondering how you can get rid of mold with vinegar.

Good questions! Vinegar is an easy way to kill mold. But there are other effective, non-toxic solutions. Here are the best natural ways to get rid mold from your home.

Vinegar: Just put some vinegar into a spray can and generously spray any moldy surfaces. Let the vinegar sit for at minimum an hour while it does its magic. Wipe the area with water and a paper towel. Let dry. That's it!

Hydrogen peroxide: Hydrogen peroxide acts in the same way that vinegar on hard surfaces. Use a spray bottle to apply hydrogen peroxide at 3%. Allow the solution to soak for 10 minutes. Remove the mold from the surface and wipe off any residue.

Baking soda: This mild chemical has the right pH level to kill mold effectively without posing a danger to pets or people. Simply mix 1/4 teaspoon baking soda into a spray bottle with water. Spray the moldy area. Then scrub the area with water and rinse. After that, spray it again with water. Dry the area. Wipe off any residue with a damp towel.

Tea oil: You may not have tea tree oil in your home, but you can buy it online and at health food shops. It is a powerful fungicide that can be used for killing mold. Combine two tablespoons of tea tree oil and two cups of water in an aerosol spray bottle. Spray your mold for 24 hours. Get rid of the mold.