Autumn has now arrived and the weather is starting to get a lot colder, which means it is best to be on the lookout for mould creeping into your home.
Late September is the time people begin to dry their clothes indoors, and the moisture from wet laundry can lead to a build-up of dampness and humidity.
Mould can only grow if there is lots of moisture in an environment and if not dealt with the spores can destroy wallpaper, wood and drywall inside your home which can lead to costly repairs.
Luckily Omar, a cleaning expert from Crafty Home Creators, has shared that his grandmother’s “foolproof method” of getting rid of mould is not only simple but will save you time, energy and money.
He said: “The secret to this mould removal trick lies in one key ingredient: white vinegar. White vinegar is a natural disinfectant with antifungal properties, making it a fantastic alternative to chemical cleaners.
“Unlike many commercial products that only mask the problem, vinegar targets the mould at its source, killing 80 percent of mould species and preventing future growth.”
It may sound simple, but vinegar contains acetic acid which can penetrate deeply into a surface, so not only does it kills mould spores but prevents it from growing back
How to use vinegar to get rid of mould
You will need:
- White vinegar,
- Soft cloth or sponge
- Scrubbing brush
- Empty spray bottle
- Baking soda (optional)
Method:
To begin, make sure a room is well ventilated so open the windows and doors in the room as the air will help reduce the moisture in a room to stop mould from spreading.
Pour the white vinegar into an empty spray bottle and spray it generously on the mouldy area.
Leave the vinegar for at least 30 minutes but preferably longer as the longer you leave it the more time the vinegar has to break down the mould spores.
After the time is up the mould spores should be dying, so just wipe the loosened mould with a cloth or sponge.
If the mould has been there for a long time or is particularly stubborn, use a scrubbing brush or leave the vinegar to soak longer if it will not budge.
However, if it continues to be a problem then apply baking soda, as this ingredient absorbs moisture and is also alkaline, which raises the pH level of the surface and prevents mould from being able to survive.
Omar said: “If you’re dealing with a particularly tough patch of mould, sprinkle some baking soda onto a damp sponge or brush and scrub the area lightly after the vinegar treatment.
“Baking soda adds a mild abrasive quality that helps to scrub the mould away more thoroughly.”
This “nearly effortless” cleaning solution is a natural way to remove mould without having to scrub it for ages or use harsh and expensive chemical cleaners.
