7 Non-Toxic DIY Ways to Get Rid of Mold

eHow may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process here.
Woman polishing bathroom fixture.
1 of 8

Mold is one of the stubbornest and most irritating cleaning problems you can face around the home. It crops up anywhere there's moisture, in predictable places like the kitchen and bath but also in basements, attics or wherever else you'll find drips and condensation. It's a concern, not only because it's unsightly, but because it can damage your home and cause respiratory problems for some people. The ultimate answer to mold is fixing the underlying problems (stopping drips and leaks, and improving ventilation) but you'll still need to clean it up and discourage re-growth. Bleach or harsh fungicides are the usual suggestions, but you may prefer one of these non-toxic or less-toxic alternatives.

Image Credit: Hero Images/Hero Images/GettyImages
First Aid Kit
3 of 8

Hydrogen Peroxide

Pull that bottle of hydrogen peroxide from your bathroom shelf or first aid kit and put it to use as a mold fighter. Use ordinary household peroxide at 3% concentration, and pour it into a spray bottle. Mist the affected surface heavily, and let the peroxide sit for a good 10 to 15 minutes before scrubbing off the mold and stains. Wipe the surface clean, then mist again with peroxide (lightly, this time) and leave it to dry. Peroxide is a natural antibacterial and anti-fungal, and as a bonus, it acts as a "kinder, gentler" bleach to remove the mold stains.

Image Credit: Volker Möhrke/Corbis/GettyImages
Close-Up Of Baking Soda Against White Background
4 of 8

Baking Soda

Baking soda works in much the same way as vinegar, but for the opposite reason. Vinegar creates an environment that's to0 acidic for mold to flourish, while baking soda makes surfaces too alkaline. Alternating soda with vinegar gives you the best of both worlds, since some molds are more resistant to one or the other. Dissolve a teaspoon or two of soda in a spray bottle of warm water and spray it onto the affected area. Scrub with a scouring pad or a brush, then rinse and repeat. Let the area dry once you're done. Not only does baking soda not have an unpleasant smell of its own, it will help take away odors from mold and from other cleansers.

Image Credit: Abdullatif Omar / EyeEm/EyeEm/GettyImages
Brown colored glass essential health oil bottles
5 of 8

Tea Tree Oil

That little bottle of tea tree oil you've been keeping on hand to treat athlete's foot, or as a general-purpose disinfectant, has just as much potential for combating mold. It's a potent anti-fungal and antibacterial, so you don't need much. One teaspoon of the oil for every cup of water is all you need: Just mix it and spray it, then scrub to remove visible mold. For an even more powerful cleaning solution, mix your tea tree oil with vinegar instead of water. Both the oil and vinegar have strong and distinctive odors, but they'll dissipate over time.

Image Credit: Douglas Sacha/Moment/GettyImages
Grapefruit halves and peel
6 of 8

Grapefruit Seed Extract

Another popular natural-source disinfectant, grapefruit seed extract, can be found in the natural-products sections of online and conventional retailers. It's concentrated like tea tree oil, so you don't need to use much. Use about 10 drops of extract for every cup of water in your spray bottle, then mist the molded area heavily and scrub to remove the stains and visible mold. Reapply as needed, leaving the extract to dry on the affected surface.

Image Credit: Isabelle Rozenbaum and Frederic Cirou/PhotoAlto Agency RF Collections/GettyImages
A woman juices a lemon by hand, Switzerland, Europe.
7 of 8

Lemon Juice

If you like the idea of cleaning with vinegar but find its sharp, penetrating scent unpleasant, lemon juice may be your best alternative. It's just as acidic as white vinegar, so it's equally effective at killing mold, but the scent of lemon juice is actually pleasant and refreshing. That is, after all, why commercial cleansers are often lemon-scented. Don't dilute the lemon juice — just use it on the mold at full strength with a spray bottle or a wet cloth or sponge. Scrub the area and then wipe it clean, and repeat as necessary after it dries.

Image Credit: Adrian Mueller/Aurora/GettyImages

Advertisement

Video of the Day