How to Clean Mold with Tea Tree Oil

Take advantage of sunlight for drying up mold and killing odors.

When mold is detected in the home, many will reach for the strongest cleaning agent they have. But many household cleaners contain chemicals that aren't safe to use around kids and pets. Mold, a fungal growth that multiplies rapidly and may cause respiratory complications, is just as easily handled without all the chemicals. Tea tree oil, a natural fungicide, is highly effective at eliminating mold.

Things You'll Need

• Soft-bristled brush
• Tea tree oil
• Spray bottle
• Laundry detergent
• Baking soda
• Medium-bristled brush
• Newspaper or paper bags

Instructions

Mold on Washable Fabrics

1. Take the fabric outside and brush away the mold with a soft-bristled brush.

2. Mix together 2 tsp. of water with 1 cup of tea tree oil in a spray bottle.

3. Saturate the affected area with the solution.

4. Scrub the area gently with a clean cloth to work the solution into the fabric.

5. Hang the fabric outside to air-dry in the sunlight. Sunshine is effective for killing mold spores and eliminating odors. Allow the fabric to soak in the sun for one to two hours.

6. Launder the fabric in hot water with laundry detergent and a cup of baking soda to ensure that any lingering odor is eliminated.

7. Hang the garment outside to air-dry.

Mold on Hard Surfaces

1. Saturate the mold with a spray bottle filled with water. This helps to prevent mold spores from getting loose into the air.

2. Place newspapers or paper bags on the floor below the area you are cleaning to catch the mold.

3. Brush away the mold with a medium-bristled brush.

4. Mix 2 tsp. tea tree oil into 1 cup of water and scrub the area with the solution and a cloth or sponge.

5. Sponge the solution onto the area to saturate it.

6. Allow the area to air-dry.

7. Pick up the newspapers or paper bags and fold them onto themselves to trap the mold. Discard them immediately in an outside trash receptacle.

Tips & Warnings

• Always protect yourself from mold by wearing gloves, glasses and a mask.

• If the weather isn't cooperative for hanging fabric outside, hang the fabric in a dry, well-ventilated area of your home.

References

• George Mason University; Tea Tree Oil; Jasmine Wilson
• Keene State College: Green Cleaning
• North Dakota State University; Remove Mold for a Healthy Home; Kenneth Hellevang; April 2009
• Florida State Solar Energy Center; Mold Growth; Philip Fairey, et al