Mould Removal

Natural Mould Removal And Prevention Strategies For Homeowner

Before looking at mould removal, we will briefly look at what mould is. Moulds are micro organisms classified as fungi – a plant group that also includes mushrooms and yeast. Mould is fairly common and most people encounter some form of mould every day often unknowingly. And it is probably good that people For the most part, mould is considered unhealthy – and with good reason.

Food that goes bad usually gathers mould. Books that have been kept in a damp room eventually succumb to a mould colony. Then there is the mould that forms on wall surfaces around bathrooms and other damp surfaces – commonly referred to as black mould. Black mould is dangerous and regular exposure can trigger a number of serious illnesses. However, not all mould is harmful. The drug penicillin originates from a strain of mould. Some forms of mould are also important in the production of certain foods and drinks.

 

Mould develops remarkably fast as long as the conditions are right. At the minimum, mould needs moisture and nutrients to grow. If you keep your surfaces dry, mould is unlikely to take root. Of course, there are certain surfaces such as bathroom walls that would be difficult to keep completely dry. In such instances, regular cleaning of floor and wall surfaces should be a fairly effective way to keep mould at bay and negate the need for mould removal.

 

But other than stagnant pools of water in bathrooms and kitchens that are simply the result of poor drainage, moisture could originate from other sources and affect any room in the house. The water could be from a plumbing leak or a leaking roof. Whereas moisture is a contributory factor to mould growth, it usually goes hand in hand with poor ventilation.

 

Rooms that continuously have wet surfaces and that do not have adequate ventilation will see the accumulation of mould faster than normal and will make it difficult to ensure complete mould removal.

Irrespective of its cause, fighting a mould problem in your house can be a headache. Some products that promise instantaneous and hassle-free mould removal capabilities either do not deliver on their promise or they have side effects that can cause you and your loved ones to fall ill. This is why when considering mould removal, your first stop should be natural mould removal methods. With natural methods, you can rest in the assurance that you will not experience any side effects.

 

One such natural mould removal solution is white vinegar. It has consistently been proven over the years that white vinegar can get rid of up to 82% of mould. All you need to do is spray the affected area with the white vinegar and then allow it to set. The odour from the white vinegar can be particularly strong so you might need to open the windows in the affected room as well as other rooms in the house. When the vinegar has set properly, wipe the mould infested surface clean.

 

Tea tree oil is another effective natural mould removal remedy you can benefit from. It is a natural extract derived from the Melaleuca alternifolia plant commonly grown in Australia. For mould removal, mix two teaspoonfuls of tea tree oil with 2 cups of water. Spray the mixture on the affected areas and then leave for about two hours for maximum effect. Wipe the area and then rinse with warm water. Since tea tree oil has an odour that many people find difficult to tolerate, it would be wise to leave the windows open or turn on the fan after applying the mixture.

 

Of course mould removal is just one part of any mould solution – it is even more important to put in place measures that will ensure the mould will not recur. You could get a dehumidifier in bathroom closets and basements as these are the places that easily attract moisture and have poor ventilation. You should also seal all grout joints in floor, wall and roof tiles to keep mould from taking root.

 

 

If you cannot stomach the strong smell from white vinegar or tea tree oil, you should try grapefruit seed extract. It is just as effective a natural mould removal agent as any there is but has the advantage of being odourless. Simply add about thirty drops of the extract to 2 cups of water and shake well. Spray the mould affected area and wipe. You do not need to rinse the surface.