Ways to Kill Mould Naturally

Three natural ingredients that kill mould:

• Tea tree oil (an essential oil found in most health food stores),
• Grapefruit seed extract,
• 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 mould 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.

Mould can be dangerous to your health, even if you aren't allergic. Many people react to mould by getting tired and even depressed. Try to stay on top of moisture and mould 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 mould and mildew as well as this spray. Has been used successfully on a mouldy ceiling from a leaking roof, on a musty bureau, a musty rug, and a mouldy shower curtain. Tea tree oil is expensive, but a little goes a very long way. Note that the smell of tea tree oil is very strong, but will dissipate in a few days.

2 teaspoons tea tree oil
2 cups water
Combine in a spray bottle, shake to blend, and spray on problem areas. Do not rinse.

Shelf Life: Indefinite
Storage: Leave in the spray bottle

Grapefruit Seed Extract
The advantage of using grapefruit seed extract instead of tea tree oil for killing mould is that it is odourless.

20 drops grapefruit seed extract
2 cups water

Combine in a spray bottle, shake to blend, and spray on problem areas. Do not rinse.

Shelf Life: Indefinite
Storage: Leave in the spray bottle

Vinegar Spray
Straight vinegar reportedly kills 82 percent of mould. Pour some white distilled vinegar straight into a spray bottle, spray on the mouldy area, and let set without rinsing if you can put up with the smell. It will dissipate in a few hours.

Mould In The Kitchen

Some really unhealthy moulds can grow in the kitchen, yet all of them can be stopped before they start, or cleared up and the source removed.

Outside of leaking pipes – or any sources of mould in the structure of the kitchen — here are seven common sources of mould in the kitchen, a few of which you may not have considered:

1. THE REFRIGERATOR DRIP TRAY
This tray is easy to forget about, but boy, oh boy, what strange coloured moulds can grow there! It is found under the fridge-usually behind the fan grate in the front of the fridge at the bottom. Check this two or three times a year.

2. GARBAGE DISPOSAL
All sorts of mould can grow on rotting food in the garbage disposal if you don't keep it clean. Make sure to run it at least once a day. Pour straight vinegar down into it at least once a week or so (about 3-4 cups).

3. GARBAGE
Try to gauge the size of your garbage cans to be the same size as how much they hold in a day. You want to remove day-old garbage from the kitchen, to avoid mould.

4. INSIDE THE FRIDGE
Make sure to keep old food cleared out from the refrigerator. A weekly sweep of the deeper reaches of the fridge is recommended.

5. COMPOST
One of the biggest mould sources in the kitchen is the compost bucket. Make sure you can remove it every day, and be sure to keep it covered.

6. ROTTING POTATOES
There is nothing worse than rotting potatoes and fruit! Make sure to check room temperature food bins frequently.

7. CUTTING BOARDS
Cutting boards can grow mould quickly and easily. Wash the board once a week with straight household vinegar. Let it set for 10 minutes or so before rinsing!