3 Ways to Kill Mold Naturally

A proliferation of mold and mildew can be the hallmark of hot and humid summers. I have a friend who has green mold growing on the shoes in her closet! A humidifier might be the best help for her, but there are also three natural materials that can be used as a spray to kill mold and mildew. They are all an excellent substitute for less environmentally safe bleach.

Learn these three tricks for killing mold and mildew. One of these you most likely already have in your kitchen cupboard.

Over the years I have found three natural ingredients that kill mold: Tea tree oil (an essential oil found in most health food stores), grapefruit seed extract and vinegar. There are pros and cons of each, but all three work. Vinegar is by far the cheapest. Tea tree oil is expensive, but it is a broad spectrum fungicide and seems to kill all the mold families it contacts. The problem is that it has a very strong smell, but that dissipates in a few days. Grapefruit seed extract is also expensive, but has no smell.

Mold can be dangerous to your health, even if you aren’t allergic. Many people react to mold by getting tired and even depressed. Try to stay on top of moisture and mold as soon as either arises. Dry out anything that is damp, such as basements (use a dehumidifier) and carpets. Fix leaks in plumbing and roofs. Wipe up spills. Make sure water doesn’t escape from shower curtains. Vigilance will pay off!

4 Reasons Why Your Damp House is Wrecking Your Health

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

Sue H.

11:21AM PDT on May 12, 2012

Good to know information, thanks.

send a green star

Tanya Z.

11:17AM PDT on May 12, 2012

WARNING: grapefruit seed extract is only effective as a disinfectant when it contains preservatives, because the preservatives themselves are disinfectants. These preservatives may include benzalkonium chloride, a relatively newer disinfectant with increasing research regarding health concerns associated with it, and triclosan, a compound that forms chloroform in water, which is a probable carcinogen (not to mention that it's the stuff that knocks people out when concentrated amounts are inhaled). This is coming from a scientist at a pharmaceutical company that works with such compounds.

11:16AM PDT on May 12, 2012

Anastasia J.

8:35AM PDT on Mar 22, 2012

I live in an old house close to water and have constant mould and mildew issues, so I'm happy to try these tips - especially the tea tree oil, if it's the most effective!

Donna H.

7:13AM PST on Mar 3, 2012

Helpful info - thanks for posting.

Sarah G.

4:42PM PST on Feb 25, 2012

Can I do 2 or 4 cups of vinegar, 2Tbs of tea tree, & 20 drops of gse? Though, I'm trying to use less tea tree on skin bc of similarities to estrogen. & trying to use less Gse bc it's the contaminant that gives it the disengaging properties.

New G.

9:27PM PST on Jan 12, 2012

Thank you.

George M.

11:01AM PST on Jan 11, 2012

Why, if all of these home remedies and natural wonders are so much better than the products they replace, have they not become products themselves? Surely there are some smart entrepreneurs out there?

Nimue P.

11:04PM PST on Dec 27, 2011

Thanks :)

James J.

10:29PM PST on Dec 27, 2011

to kill mold on leather use vicks vapour rub jack b. scrub boots with soapy water to get rid of most of it. dry in front of air conditioner to dry out. smear with vicks. my leather jacket looks great.