TOXICS INFORMATION PROJECT
(TIP)
Tel. 401-351-9193, E-Mail: TIP@toxicsinfo.org
Website:
www.toxicsinfo.org
(Sharing
Information on Toxics in Everyday Life
&
Providing Healthier Alternatives)
Say Goodbye to Mold and Mildew
by Annie Berthold-Bond, Care2.com
Producer, Green Living Channels
A friend once offered me a very musty, beautiful
bureau. Because the bureau was so nice,
I gratefully accepted the gift, with the thought that
setting the bureau in a little sun for a day or two might kill the mold. Unfortunately, the sun didn't do the
trick. Much to my surprise, the solution
I finally found was easy, used all natural materials, and removed 100 percent
of the musty smell.
Simple Solution:
Over the years I have found three natural ingredients that
kill mold: tea tree oil (an essential
oil found in most health food stores), grapefruit seed extract, and
vinegar. There are pros and cons of
each, but all three work. Vinegar is by far the cheapest. Tea tree oil is expensive, but it is a broad
spectrum fungicide and seems to kill all the mold families it contacts. The problem is that it has a very strong
smell, but that dissipates in a few days. Grapefruit seed extract is also
expensive, but has no smell.
Mold can be dangerous to your health, even if you aren't
allergic. Many people react to mold by
getting tired and even depressed. Try to
stay on top of moisture and mold as soon as either arises. Dry out anything that is
damp, such as basements (use a dehumidifier), and carpets. Fix leaks in plumbing and roofs. Wipe up spills. Make sure water doesn't escape from shower
curtains. Vigilance will pay off!
* Tea Tree Treasure
Nothing natural works for mold and mildew as well as this
spray. I've used it successfully on a
moldy ceiling from a leaking roof, on a musty bureau, a musty rug, and a moldy
shower curtain.
2
teaspoons tea tree oil
2 cups water
Combine in a spray bottle, shake to blend, and spray on
problem areas.
Do not rinse. Makes
2 cups
Preparation
Time:
Under a minute. Shelf Life:
Indefinite. Storage: Leave in the
spray bottle.
* Citrus Seed Extract
20 drops citrus seed extract
2 cups water
Combine in a spray bottle, shake to blend, and spray on
problem areas.
Do not rinse. Makes
2 cups
Preparation
Time: A
minute or so. Shelf Life:
Indefinite. Storage: Leave in the
spray bottle
* Vinegar Spray
Straight vinegar reportedly kills 82 percent of mold. Pour some white distilled vinegar straight
into a spray bottle, spray on the moldy area, and let set without rinsing if
you can put up with the smell. It will
dissipate in a few hours.