The bothersome fungus rears its ugly head in lots of places, and in a range of colors that include white, green and black. Toxicity varies, too. Among a laundry list of symptomatic issues, black mold, for instance, can cause serious respiratory health concerns. Mold can also be a trigger for headaches, sore throats, asthma and allergies.
Non-toxic solutions
If the thought of using a potent chemical-based product to eliminate obvious mold causes some worry, have no fear. There are alternative cleaning solutions to help you get rid of mold in your apartment.
Since mold is something that you don’t really want to be living with, let alone touch, somehow using an overpowering chemical agent just seems to compound the problem, especially if it means you’ll be inhaling it.
If you’re dealing with mold on wood, it’s important to know that a mildew remover that’s non-corrosive and non-abrasive is a good way to go. Options include dishwashing detergent and distilled white vinegar.
So how exactly do you get rid of mold without reaching for anything toxic that might do the deed? We’ve got 4 natural ways to help rid your apartment of the unwelcome and unsightly annoyance otherwise known as mold.
Say buh-bye to mold with essential oils
If you’ve used essential oils for aromatherapy, this idea might resonate with you as a mold fix. Many essential oils have antibacterial properties.
Try mixing 10 drops of tea tree essential oil with a cup of water and put it in a spray bottle. After spraying it on the moldy surface, let it sit overnight to work its magic. Afterwards, scrub the surface and repeat. Don’t scrub the surface the second time around. Rather, leave the mix on to help prevent further mold from occurring.
Dehumidify mold spores
While an air filter or ventilator won’t destroy the mold you have in your apartment 100 percent, it will work wonders to help prevent the presence of mold spores.
By taking mold spores out of the air, a dehumidifier is a viable non-toxic option for preventing mold from showing up over and over again by reducing any dampness in the environment.
Not just for dirty dishes
Certain everyday household cleansers could be a much less toxic answer to eliminating mold on wood than ones that are packed with chemicals. Dish detergent is on the top of the list of must-haves for the task.
Wipe off mold-affected areas with diluted dish detergent. If using the mix on wood, be sure to keep windows open for ventilation so that the wood dries quickly. As a side note, it’s important to avoid baking soda as a mold cleanser for wood because it could cause damage.
Vinegar is a viable choice
White vinegar is probably one of the most touted non-toxic ways to eliminate mold because of its acidity. Just mix with water — one part vinegar to three parts water — and put it in a spray bottle. There’s definitely going to be a bit of a pungent vinegar-y odor, so add a few drops of essential oil to squash it.
Even though mold can show up just about anywhere, it can also be dealt with by using a variety of tactics. Moisture control is part of preventing mold occurrence. Proper ventilation will control most molds and put your apartment at less risk for it in the first place.
Don’t hesitate to talk with your building management crew about any issues with mold, either. There are plenty of things that apartment maintenance personnel can assist with to prevent and control the problem, including:
- Waterproofing membranes, which prevent moisture under carpets, hardwood or bamboo flooring
- Air/water purifiers will kill mold and mildew spores, plus other potentially harmful bacteria and fungi.
- Mold and mildew preventive sealers can fight off mold in bathrooms and kitchens.
