Mold is a type of fungus, which is usually found in the air and in damp, dark areas, and in the home it is both an aesthetic problem and a health problem.
Many types of mold that grow on walls and other parts of the house can be toxic. The problem is further compounded if we also use products to remove mold from walls which are also toxic. In this case, we try to solve a problem by adding a new one.
There are many types of mold, they are common and found in all environments, even in food, such as certain types of cheese.
It can also be useful in the medical field, as is the case with penicillin, discovered by Alexander Fleming, which is a derivative of one of the varieties of fungi called moulds.
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mold and health
Although most of the fungi that make up molds are harmless to the health of humans and animals, some are capable of releasing toxins, or rather mycotoxins, which can seriously affect health.
Take for example the so-called black mold produced by the fungus Aspergilluswhich is one of the most toxic and also one of the most common in homes with high humidity and temperature conditions.
It can cause lung disease, allergic sinusitis, skin infections of the outer ear canal, and onychomycosis (or ringworm of the nails), among other conditions.
Therefore, keeping the home free from moisture and the creation of fungus and mold can also serve as a form of disease prevention.
Even when the varieties of fungi present on the walls or other parts do not emit toxins, they can cause allergic reactions or hypersensitivity to molds, and can lead to watery eyes and nasal congestion.
For this reason, it is important to avoid creating damp places and above all to prevent mold from reproducing and invading the walls and other parts of the house.
By removing the mold from the wall, we will also eliminate the musty smell it generates, thus contributing to the well-being of the spaces and areas of the house.
Three natural products to clean mold from walls
We are going to see three different ways that we can use to eliminate mold from the walls and prevent it from reappearing.
Over the years I have found three natural ingredients that are very effective in eliminating mold. The first is tea tree oil, an essential oil that can be found in most health food stores and has many other uses, the second is grapefruit seed extract and finally the vinegar.
There are advantages and disadvantages in each of them, that’s why I present the three to you and everyone evaluates or tests the one that best suits their needs, possibilities and expectations.
The tea tree, an effective solution against wall moldVinegar is by far the cheapest and most accessible. Tea tree oil is expensive, but it’s a broad-spectrum fungicide and seems to kill all mold families immediately, but the problem is that it has a very strong smell, but that dissipates in a few days .
Although grapefruit seed extract is also expensive, it is odorless and has other health benefits.
Mold can be dangerous to your health, even for people without mold allergies. It is not uncommon for a moldy environment to cause exhaustion or depression in the people who live or work there. Therefore, we are not talking about a merely aesthetic thing.
In addition to cleaning, it is important to keep objects and spaces dry. There are areas where a lot of moisture accumulates, such as basements (in which case a dehumidifier can be used) and carpets.
It is also important to repair leaks in the water pipes, to check the seals of the bathtub and other bathroom accessories, to dry the curtain and the tiles after the shower and to check that it is not there are no cracks or any other type of damage in the bathroom. walls and roofs that can let in moisture.
tea tree oil
This is the most effective of all methods. Used it successfully on a moldy ceiling after fixing a leak; I’ve also used it on the bath mat with impressive success and on the fridge after parties. The problem is that it is a bit expensive, and it has a fairly strong smell that disappears over time. But it pays a lot.
To use the tea tree to clean mold, we can do the following solution:
- 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil.
- 2 cups of water
We mix and place the liquid in a spray bottle or sprayer. It is necessary to shake before each use. It is used by spraying this mixture on the affected area and should not be rinsed off.
seed extract grapefruit
The advantage of using grapefruit seed extract instead of tea tree oil to remove mildew from walls or any other surface is that the former is odorless.
This mold release product is quite effective. We will prepare it in the following proportion:
- 20 drops grapefruit seed extract
- 2 cups of water
Mix the ingredients in a spray bottle. As for the tea tree, we will shake it to mix it before each use. We spray the affected areas and that’s it. It also does not wash off and lasts a long time.
The vinegar
Pure vinegar is inexpensive and kills 80% of mold that can grow in our homes. For this, you must use white alcohol vinegar, that is, vinegar that has no color. In Spain it is easily obtained in stores such as Mercadona or pharmacies, and is known as cleaning vinegar.