Household molds are stubborn organisms and left untreated they can be extremely toxic. While molds can sometimes be beneficial in the home, they generally do more harm than good by digesting organic material as their food source. Common mold resources are leaves, wood, insulation and paper. They need at least fifty percent humidity to thrive, and once flourishing, they release lightweight spores into the air. In addition, untreated mold within a household can contribute to a variety of allergies and infections. A few familiar symptoms are; suppressed immune system, respiratory problems including asthma and infection, eye irritation, coughing, skin rashes, headaches, decongestion, memory impairment, depression, and mood swings.
The first step of removing mold is locating it. It can be found around windows, in bathrooms, basements, attics, garages, and other unsuspecting areas. Basically, anywhere where there is high moisture, water damage, high humidity, condensation, and water leaks is where you will likely find mold spores.
Once you’ve found the mold and begin removing it, you’ll want to wear a mask. You don’t want to risk ingestion of the airborne spores. Use gloves, non-ammonia soap and hot water to scrub non-porous surfaces. Some natural ingredients that kill household mold and mildew are tea tree oil, grapefruit seed extract, and white vinegar. Tea tree is a natural fungicide. When using, dilute with warm water and let soak on mold. Tea tree has a strong scent, but unlike bleach, which is a common mold killer, the odor is harmless. Grapefruit seed extract works in the same way tea tree does but has a more pleasing scent. And white vinegar is a natural disinfectant that can be used for almost everything cleaning related in the home. Although vinegar alone hasn’t been known to completely kill off mold, it has helped in the elimination and the prevention of re-growth.
Yes, removing home mold takes some elbow grease. In my experience, the areas where mold is likely to grow needs constant upkeep and care. It helps to maintain an environment where mold growth is inhibited. This can be done by stopping any leaks, plenty of cross ventilation, and keeping prone areas dry. Getting rid of household mold is an important step in maintaining optimum air quality and health.
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Eco-Friendly Solutions for Household Mold
Household molds are stubborn organisms and left untreated they can be extremely toxic. While molds can sometimes be beneficial in the home, they generally do more harm than good by digesting organic material as their food source. Common mold resources are leaves, wood, insulation and paper. They need at least fifty percent humidity to thrive, and once flourishing, they release lightweight spores into the air. In addition, untreated mold within a household can contribute to a variety of allergies and infections. A few familiar symptoms are; suppressed immune system, respiratory problems including asthma and infection, eye irritation, coughing, skin rashes, headaches, decongestion, memory impairment, depression, and mood swings.
The first step of removing mold is locating it. It can be found around windows, in bathrooms, basements, attics, garages, and other unsuspecting areas. Basically, anywhere where there is high moisture, water damage, high humidity, condensation, and water leaks is where you will likely find mold spores.
Once you’ve found the mold and begin removing it, you’ll want to wear a mask. You don’t want to risk ingestion of the airborne spores. Use gloves, non-ammonia soap and hot water to scrub non-porous surfaces. Some natural ingredients that kill household mold and mildew are tea tree oil, grapefruit seed extract, and white vinegar. Tea tree is a natural fungicide. When using, dilute with warm water and let soak on mold. Tea tree has a strong scent, but unlike bleach, which is a common mold killer, the odor is harmless. Grapefruit seed extract works in the same way tea tree does but has a more pleasing scent. And white vinegar is a natural disinfectant that can be used for almost everything cleaning related in the home. Although vinegar alone hasn’t been known to completely kill off mold, it has helped in the elimination and the prevention of re-growth.
Yes, removing home mold takes some elbow grease. In my experience, the areas where mold is likely to grow needs constant upkeep and care. It helps to maintain an environment where mold growth is inhibited. This can be done by stopping any leaks, plenty of cross ventilation, and keeping prone areas dry. Getting rid of household mold is an important step in maintaining optimum air quality and health.