How to Kill Mold on a Cement Floor With Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is a green alternative to using bleach for mold on cement.

Tea tree oil is an aromatic essential oil derived from the tea tree. It possesses antiseptic and antifungal properties and is sometimes used in alternative medicine for skin ailments, including acne. Tea tree oil is a non-toxic alternative to using bleach for killing mold on hard surfaces, such as cement floors. It will also make the room smell fresher. Many health food stores and other shops that sell essential oils sell tea tree oil.

Things You'll Need

• Safety goggles
• N95 mask
• Stiff-bristled broom
• Bucket
• Large spoon
• Sponge mop

Instructions

1. Put on safety goggles and an N95 respirator mask to protect against airborne mold.
   Sweep the cement floor with a stiff-bristled broom to remove loose mold.

2. Fill a clean bucket with 1 gallon of warm water. Add 6 tbsp. of tea tree oil to the water. Stir it with a large spoon to disperse it.

3. Wet a sponge mop in the tea tree and water solution. Scrub the cement floor, beginning in the corner the farthest away from the doorway.

4. Mop 5-square-foot sections at a time before placing the sponge mop back in the bucket to re-wet it with the solution. Leave the solution on the floor and allow the cement to air-dry without rinsing.

5. Mop the floor again the following day, with a freshly mixed tea tree oil and water solution, if you notice any remaining musty odor, which could indicate some remaining mold.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep pets out of the area until the floor has dried completely. According to the ASPCA, tea tree oil may be toxic to animals.

References

• Natural Healthy Home: Natural Home Cleaning With Tea Tree Oil
• Keene.edu: Green Cleaning
• ASPCA: Tea Tree Oil