Green DIY mold/mildew remedies

Green DIY mold/mildew remedies.

As the owner of a very recognizable eco-friendly cleaning company in Seattle, I’m often asked how to keep mold at bay between professional cleaning appointments. Whether or not you hire Professional House Cleaners, these green tips for preventing, reducing, and removing mold and mildew, especially in bathrooms with low ventilation will help. There’s even a “Huh?!” of the day!

 

Water runs frequently in bathrooms, making it moist and humid, an environment that allows mold to thrive. When people don’t clean the surfaces or dry them off, mildew begins to form. If it isn’t removed, it develops into mold.

 

Here are some of our Green DIY remedies for preventing, reducing, and removing mold and mildew.

 

White Vinegar

Spray undiluted white vinegar directly onto the area prone to mold. Leave for at least an hour, then scrub.

You can also spray the area after each shower as a preventative.

Tip: Add essential oil in any scent you like to reduce the vinegar smell.

Baking Soda/Vinegar/Water

This combination is inexpensive yet effective. Two parts baking soda, one part white vinegar, one part water.

Pour baking soda into a spray bottle, add very hot water, then add vinegar to the rest of the bottle immediately before using. This will fizz a lot, so don’t shake it until you’re ready to use it. Let it sit for 10 minutes before wiping away.

For showers: Spray the area daily and after each shower as a preventative.

Tip: Add essential oil in any scent you like to reduce the vinegar smell.

Baking Soda/Salt/Hot Vinegar

This combination is also inexpensive and effective. Pour baking soda directly onto the spots that tend to get mold. Pour salt onto the same area. Microwave Vinegar for two minutes then spray it onto the baking soda/salt mixture. Let it sit for at least 10 minutes before wiping away.

Tip: This is also a great weekly drain cleaner for your sinks.

Common Sense Disclaimers:

• Never mix vinegar with bleach or any other toxic product. It can irritate your eyes, throat, lungs, or worse. The mixture is caustic which means it is able burn or corrode organic tissue by chemical action.
• Never use vinegar on Marble or Granite countertops. It may cause etching.
• Never use vinegar on fine jewelry, especially Pearls. Items consisting of Calcium Carbonate (like pearls and limestone) when combined with acids, can dissolve.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea Tree Oil is expensive when compared to other solutions but you may already have some; plus it smells great.  It is a natural astringent and antiseptic; that’s why it works well for those prone to acne. When the area prone to mold is dry, sprinkle several drops of Tea Tree Oil directly on those areas to help pull out any residual moisture and deter mold. Once the area has gotten better, mix Tea Tree Oil with water, then spray the area after each shower.

Tip: Put a few drops of Tea Tree Oil or Eucalyptus Oil in your bath or shower to open up your sinuses.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Your standard drug store brown bottle of Hydrogen Peroxide is an antifungal, antiviral, and anti-bacterial solution. It works a lot like bleach but without being so environmentally destructive. It’s best if you can add a spray attachment to the brown bottle and just spray the area daily and after each shower.

Tip: You can also add a tablespoon or so to your washer to help “bleach” white clothes.

Lemons

Since Lemons are very acidic, they act as an antiseptic, stain remover, and natural “bleach.” Pour freshly squeezed lemon juice over the moldy area. Let it sit for 10 minutes and then wipe. You can also add baking soda to the area for stubborn stains.

Easy Dehumidifier / “Huh?!” of the day!

Fill a bowl or container with coffee whitener (powdered non-dairy creamer). Leave it in the moist area. When it has soaked up as much moisture as possible, the coffee whitener will harden. Throw it out and repeat as often as needed.

Most low-cost/common non-dairy creamers are not vegan. They’re considered non-dairy due to the omission of lactose, but they are not free of animal ingredients. They usually contain Sodium Caseinate, a form of casein, which is a derivative of cow’s milk. There are plenty of vegan/true non-dairy coffee creamers on the market, though they are often in liquid form. The powdered vegan creamers I’m familiar with are from Coconut Cloud and Simple truth. The Simple Truth creamer comes in containers instead of packets, so while there is waste, it’s probably better for this application.

 

Regardless of which method you use, using a squeegee after each shower to get water off the door and walls will go a long way. Then dry the mold prone area with a towel after each use.

 

 

Obviously, I highly recommend buying our Multi-Purpose Cleaner and spraying the area daily. You can read more here or see our shop. Our products are all environmentally friendly and are safe for your family, pregnant partner, animals, surfaces, and the environment. Bonus, they smell fantastic!

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for being green!

Jennifer L Troyer, Green Guru/President
Seattle Green Cleaner ~ For a cleaner home and a cleaner conscience™