How to Eliminate Mildew & Mold
Keeping mold and mildew at bay in the home is a daily challenge. Certain rooms, such as the kitchen, bathroom, basement and attic, are breeding grounds for mold and mildew because of the amount of moisture present in them. If not eliminated, mold and mildew can ruin walls and furniture and even cause allergies and illnesses in you and your family members. Luckily, there are some things you can do to eliminate mold and mildew in your home and prevent future occurrences. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Plastic gloves
- Safety goggles
- Nose/face mask
- Stiff scrub brush
- Dry cloth
- Spray bottle
- Tea tree oil
- Grapefruit seed extract
- White distilled vinegar
Instructions
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1
Mix 2 teaspoons tea tree oil with 2 cups water and pour into a spray bottle. Spray the affected areas with the mixture. Use a scrub brush to scrub away the mold or mildew. Wipe with a clean cloth.
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2
Combine 20 drops grapefruit seed extract and 2 cups water in a spray bottle. Spray this combination on the problem areas. Do not rinse, rather scrub the areas with a scrub brush and then wipe with a clean cloth.
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3
Pour white distilled vinegar into a spray bottle. Spray vinegar directly on mold or mildew and let the vinegar set; do not rinse.
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Tips & Warnings
Tea tree oil and grapefruit seed extract have the same effect; the difference is in price and smell. Tea tree oil is more expensive and has a strong smell to it while grapefruit seed extract is less expensive and odorless.
To prevent mold and mildew from reoccurring, stay on top of moisture as soon as it arises. Dry out or use a dehumidifier in areas that are damp, such as basements and bathrooms. Fix roofing or plumbing leaks.
Always wear gloves and a mask when cleaning mold or mildew.
If you have health concerns, speak to your health care provider before starting cleanup.
References
- Photo Credit cleaning and sanitation products studio isolated image by dinostock from Fotolia.com
