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Mold and Mildew Eliminator: Vinegar with Essential Oils

Mold and Mildew Eliminator: Vinegar with Essential Oils

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, , , , , , ,

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).

38 comments

+ add your own
11:30PM PDT on Apr 13, 2012

Great tip, thank you.

6:01AM PDT on Mar 26, 2012

With harsh, acidic cleaners you need to wear gloves. How green is that?

7:06AM PST on Mar 3, 2012

Fantastic tip - thanks for posting.

5:32PM PST on Feb 25, 2012

Also is the best for cleaning your windows!

4:26AM PST on Feb 19, 2012

Thanks for the article.

9:31PM PST on Jan 12, 2012

Thank you.

11:08PM PST on Dec 27, 2011

Cheers.

5:18AM PST on Dec 27, 2011

Thanks for the good information..

6:21AM PST on Dec 25, 2011

Thanks.

5:14AM PST on Dec 25, 2011

Noted. Thanks.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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