Mould can be a big worry now that autumn is here. Not only is it a health hazard, but it can also make your home much colder and damper, which can be uncomfortable to live in.
This time of year, more people are bringing their laundry indoors to dry it, which can lead to condensation building up inside homes, which can eventually lead to mould.
Charity Nichols, an expert from Green Tulip, has shared that a simple and safe natural product can be used to clean mould and prevent it from growing on your walls.
She noted that white vinegar and baking soda are some of the most popular ways to kill mould as they are very effective but can also damage certain materials around the home.
She said: “Different methods are suitable for different surfaces, and you should always test a small area first.
“Whilst the methods are natural, using the wrong one for a surface can cause damage – for instance, as vinegar is so acidic it can cause marble to start to dissolve.”
A white vinegar and baking soda mould killer is safe on tiles, glass, plastic, wood and concrete. However, if you wish to find an alternative, there are as many natural solutions as possible to stop mould from becoming an issue this winter.
How to get rid of mould this autumn and stop it growing back
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is a natural antimicrobial agent that will break down mould spores and also create an environment that hinders its ability to grow.
Charity said: “Tea tree oil is a natural antifungal and antibacterial agent. It can be used to kill mould and it also helps prevent it from coming back.”
All you need to do is place 15 drops of tea tree oil and two 450ml of water in an empty spray bottle. Then, spray a generous amount of the solution on a mouldy survive and allow it to sit for 60 minutes.
Once the time is up, the mould should easily come away once you gently scrub it.
Vodka
Mould needs moisture to survive, and alcohol is a drying agent that quickly dehydrates mould spores so they die.
Vodka with at least 40 percent alcohol is also a disinfectant, so it kills not only mould but also bacteria, so the mould spores have no chance to grow back.
Charity said: “Vodka’s high alcohol content effectively kills mould spores and prevents their growth.”
You need only add equal parts water and vodka to an empty spray bottle, spray the solution on the mould, and leave it for 10 to 15 minutes.
Once the time is up, use a cloth or stiff brush to wipe at the mouldy survive, and it should easily come away without any effort.
If you wish, you can combine the vodka spray and tea tree oil to make a “supercharge” cleaning solution that will kill mould effectively, so you do not need to worry about it again this winter.
