Natural Mold and Mildew Removal

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

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.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Nirvana J.

10:22PM PDT on Jun 18, 2013

Thanks

June 18
send a green star

Terry V.

4:50AM PDT on Jun 2, 2013

noted

June 2
send a green star

Lady K.

5:48AM PDT on May 24, 2013

thanks for the info

May 24
send a green star

Mary T.

6:01PM PDT on May 20, 2013

thank you, new alternative mold & mildew cleaners :)

May 20
send a green star

Meg G.

5:02PM PDT on Apr 28, 2013

I already use both these products for other things. I don't know why I never thought to use them for the mold issues around the home. I have used vinegar and clove oil and it is successful with most things but not the timber ceiling in one of our rooms. Will give this a go.

April 28
send a green star

Susan S.

2:52PM PDT on Sep 28, 2012

I swear by tea tree oil for cleaning. I have MCS, bleach is absolutely the worst, but have mold issues from various sources. The tea tree oil is what I use for all my cleaning, I mix it with water, white vinegar, and a shot of dish soap. Shake and it keeps forever. TTO is also a good thing to have on hand to use for minor skin issues. I have used it on pimples, burns, and also on my dogs for hot spots, though I cut it with water to put it on the dogs. I swear by the stuff, and the odor is not unpleasant, anything is better than bleach!

September 28
send a green star

JL A.

9:40AM PDT on Sep 18, 2012

good to know

September 18
send a green star

Chris R.

9:20AM PDT on Oct 18, 2011

Thanks!~

October 18
send a green star

Jan W.

7:03AM PDT on Jul 27, 2011

I've tried moldzyme without much success. The stain remained and the mold quickly returned. I'll try tea tree oil next.

July 27
send a green star

Kendra W.

7:42AM PDT on Sep 30, 2010

The best all-natural product that I know of to combat mold is moldzyme (www.moldzyme.com). It can be used to remove mold stains on furniture and walls but it can also be fogged to remove the spores from the air and get that musty/damp smell out of the air. It is an enzyme-based product which works very well and saved me a lot of stress when trying to get rid of mold our house when my daughter was still a baby and I didn't want to use bleach or harsh chemicals. Great product!