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Loading...Mold and Mildew Eliminator: Vinegar with Essential Oils
- Annie B. Bond
- July 24, 2008
- 7:00 am
- 45 comments
I live in the humid Hudson Valley in New York, and I’ll never forget one of my first summers here when a green-like mildew grew inside of closets and over and inside of shoes. Being sensitive to mold I was very alarmed that the thick humidity would make such colonies flourish in my bedroom.
I have a number of tricks up my sleeve to kill mildew and mold, three of which are written about in 3 Ways to Kill Mold Naturally. These three are tea tree oil, vinegar, and grapefruit seed extract. Grapefruit seed extract is good for those who want no odor for the few days after spraying the mildew. I’ve used them all very successfully.
I’d like to add more about vinegar and essential oils. Studies by Heinz and others have shown that straight household white distilled vinegar kills 82 percent of mold when used straight up. (This means straight 7 percent acid solution from a bottle of vinegar that you buy in the supermarket.) This is a very good kill rate. And you can’t beat the price.
The problem is that many people write to me saying that they hate the smell of vinegar. What to do? I’ve been experimenting with adding a few drops of essential oil to straight white distilled vinegar and the results for smell are remarkable and unexpected. The essential oils seem to mellow out the bite of the smell of vinegar, leaving a vibrant essence that is mostly the smell of the essential oil with a bit of a sharp almost resinous touch, which would be the transformed vinegar.
A boon is that essential oils are very antimicrobial and will work to kill mold, too.
To try this yourself, place about 1/2 cup straight white distilled vinegar in a spray bottle. Add about 10 drops of essential oil, to start, shake, and smell. How do you like it? Do you need more essential oil? Just make sure not to add more than 15 drops of oil as it can be strong. I personally love lavender in this.
Spray this concoction directly on mold and mildew. Don’t rinse. The smell will dissipate.
Note: Make sure to avoid your eyes!
Read more: Home, Household Hints, Non-Toxic Cleaning, essential oils, grapefruit seed extract, lavender, mildew, mold, tea tree oil, vinegar
Annie B. Bond
Annie is a renowned expert in non-toxic and green living. Named one of the top 20 environmental leaders by Body and Soul Magazine, Annie has authored four books, including "Home Enlightenment" (Rodale Press, 2005) and "Better Basics for the Home" (Three Rivers Press, 1999).
Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may
not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.
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All beautiful! Thanks
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45 comments
+ add your ownThanks! When I want to remove stubborn odors(smoke at afriends home), I put a dish with white vinegar in the room and it absorbs most of the odor.
i need to try!
I love it thank you! I was wondering what to use on some mold I have and now I know.
and I want my bathroom to smell like a salad...mmmm.
I've used it with good results. Rather have smell- which goes away, than mold.
Thank you.
but what is "essential oils" u mean just scented oil u buy for ur burner???? help!? i wanna try this
Great tip, thank you.
With harsh, acidic cleaners you need to wear gloves. How green is that?
Fantastic tip - thanks for posting.
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