If you discover mold on your walls, you’ll need to take prompt action before it starts to really harm you and your family’s health. The quicker you act, the easier it will be to get rid of the mold, and cheaper, too. If you’re worried about using harsh, mold-killing chemicals, here are three natural solutions to get rid of that mold (and three things to do to help prevent its return).
(For tips on cleaning mold from carpets, see our post “Everything you need to know about how to remove mold from carpet”.)
White vinegar
White vinegar is a fantastic cleaning solution. It has antimicrobial qualities, and when used on mold not only does it clean, it also disinfects. Pour the vinegar into a spray bottle, spray on the infected area of your wall and leave for a few minutes. Wipe away with a clean cloth.
Distilled alcohol
An odor of vinegar is not to everyone’s taste. Distilled alcohol works equally well. While you could use vodka on your mold, ethanol is a far cheaper and better option. Use the same method as you would when using white vinegar to get rid of mold: spray, leave, wipe.
Tea tree oil
A natural fungicide, tea tree oil can be used to eradicate mold and mildew. Fill a spray bottle with water, add ten drops of tee tree oil, and shake. Spray on the affected wall, leave it to do the hard work, and wipe off. Repeat as necessary.
After you’ve got rid of mold on walls naturally…
…don’t let it return. Use these three strategies to keep your walls mold free:
Dehumidify
Mold grows in humid and damp conditions. This is why it’s most commonly found in bathrooms and kitchens. A dehumidifier will maintain room humidity to below the 60% as recommended to prevent mold growth.
Don’t let the kids leave damp towels or bath mats lying around, and dry clothes as soon as they come out the washing machine.
Ventilate
Mold also loves still conditions. Open windows and doors to allow air to flow through your home, and open ventilation fans.
Purify
Clean air helps to prevent mold. Buy an air purifier to work alongside your dehumidifier, and make sure that your air conditioning has mold and mildew filters.
For more tips on how to get rid of mold in your house, or if you have a stubborn mold infestation that simply won’t go away, contact us today. We’re available 24/7 – and we’ll be happy to help.