Natural Mold and Mildew Removal

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/10040.html

posted by Annie B. Bond Apr 14, 2007 12:00 am

filed under: Blogs, Ask Annie, citrus seed extract, natural mildew removal, natural mold removel, tea tree oil

Georgia, AZ asks:

I am very allergic to mold, and even more sensitive to bleach and other strong cleaning agents. How can I clean up mold safely?

Annie: Mold can be dangerous to your health, even if you aren’t allergic. It should be eradicated as soon as it appears. Dry out anything that is damp, such as basements (use a dehumidifier) and carpets. Fix leaks in plumbing and roofs. Wipe up spills. Vigilance will pay off! Here are the recipes that I use to kill mold. Note that the smell of tea tree oil is very strong, but it will dissipate in a few days.

Tea Tree Treasure Nothing natural works for mold and mildew as well as this spray. I’ve used it successfully on a moldy ceiling from a leaking roof, on a musty bureau, a musty rug, and a moldy shower curtain. Tea tree oil is expensive, but a little goes a very long way. 2 teaspoons tea tree oil 2 cups water Combine in a spray bottle, shake to blend, and spray on problem areas. Do not rinse. Makes 2 cups Preparation Time: Under a minute Shelf Life: Indefinite Storage: Leave in the spray bottle
Citrus Seed Extract The advantage of using citrus seed extract instead of tea tree for killing mold is that it is odorless. 20 drops citrus seed extract 2 cups water Combine in a spray bottle, shake to blend, and spray on problem areas. Do not rinse. Makes 2 cups Preparation Time: A minute or so Shelf Life: Indefinite Storage: Leave in the spray bottle

Tea tree oil and grapefruit seed extract are available in health food stores.

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Out with the Mold

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James P. says
Jul 25, 2009 9:43 AM

Do you spray it on and then walk away or do you need to come back after a while and wipe it off?

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Katie S. says
Jun 12, 2008 11:49 AM

Is there any reason you couldn't mix the citrus seed extract/tea tree with vinegar instead of water? I use vinegar a lot for cleaning and believe it kills some mold as well.

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Tammy Hughs says
May 15, 2008 4:50 AM

I used Tea Tree oil in my shampoo for a healthier scalp and rid dandruf and it worked great.

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Jody R. Sutherland says
Feb 16, 2008 5:35 AM

Thank you for the wonderful tips as I have mold inside my bathroom on the walls and the floors. The mold grows inside our toilet bowl, disgusting. I try not to put any items up on my window sills or on the floor under the windows as mold is there almost year round. I have tried washing down the windows and walls. Thank you I will try everything tomorrow or I guess I should say later today, as it is almost morning.

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Jeff H. says
Feb 12, 2008 7:49 AM

I've tried the tea tree formula on my tiled bathroom walls, and unfortunately, it simply did not work. I've also tried a white-vinegar-and-water spray, without success. I hate chlorine bleach, but it's the only thing that has eliminated my bathroom mold in the past. Does anyone have other earth-friendly ideas to share?

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Karen Carothers says
Feb 12, 2008 4:56 AM

I checked the internet... apparently you can use up to a 15% concentration of tea tree around cats. The recipe Anne recommends is only a 2% concentration, for those who are concerned (and I was, since I have a cat who likes to hang out in our empty bathtub)

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jude s. says
Feb 11, 2008 11:10 PM

Oh so simple!! Thank you. I'll try it out and recommend it to my people.

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Cornelia H. says
Feb 11, 2008 10:46 PM

This is one that I will try as soon as i can get to a healthfood shop - I have a rather damp bathroom, no matter how careful I am, and it always ends up with mould around the bath and on the shower curtain about every 4 weeks. A complete pain in the proverbial to get rid of unless one uses the chemicals which one does not want to use....Thanks so much for the tips!

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pickeril weed says
Feb 11, 2008 10:45 PM

be careful with tea tree oil around animals...i've heard that it can be fatal to cats. i was going to get some for killing mold when i saw this on several websites. i ended up getting a basement dehumidifier which is wonderful. as long as humidity is low, mold will be dormant...even dead spores are bad for people who are allergic, but if they are dormant, they won't reproduce. there is also a air purifier that kills spores and mites, etc. by heating them to death...that sounds cool.

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August Endsley says
Feb 11, 2008 9:59 PM

Awesome! Thanks for the tip.

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Disclaimer: Care2.com does not warrant and shall have no liability for information provided in this newsletter or on Care2.com. Each individual person, fabric, or material may react differently to a particular suggested use. It is recommended that before you begin to use any formula, you read the directions carefully and test it first. Should you have any health care-related questions or concerns, please call or see your physician or other health care provider.

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