Mold is a fungus that can quickly become a problem in your home, especially in moist or humid areas like the bathroom. It is unsightly and poses several risks to your overall health. If mold gets really bad, it can even cause structural damage to the house. How and why does mold grow and what can you do to get rid of it? The DIY anti-mold spray in this article should help you defeat the problem!
Why Does Mold Grow In The Bathroom?
Moisture and heat are the two ingredients that create a humid environment, which is ideal for mold growth. Mold spores start to grow in a humid habitat, which you create every time you take a shower or bath. Even if you wash your face or hands with warm water in the sink, you increase humidity in that area. The microscopic organisms that exist in the air or dust can feed mold spores and cause it to rapidly reproduce and spread. It is your responsibility to address the problem as soon as you see any mold.
Now, there are numerous ways to help prevent mold growth in humid environments like the bathroom. If you see mold, just be careful because scrubbing it can cause it to release more mold spores, which can worsen the problem. If you just start to notice it in small patches, the natural ingredients in the anti-mold spray in this article should help you get rid of it.
Vinegar
Vinegar exhibits antibacterial and antifungal properties, making it an affordable and natural treatment for many types of mold. Distilled white vinegar contains about 5-8% acetic acid, which is moderately strong and has a pH of 2.5. This acidity can disrupt the growth of several types of fungi and microorganisms. According to some research, vinegar is effective at preventing mold growth on fruit and at removing common household molds. However, it isn’t effective at killing every type of mold. Vinegar tends to be safe on a variety of surfaces, but you may need to check to see if it is safe to use on the surface where you see mold growth.
Lemon Essential Oil
Lemon essential oil is quite versatile and commonly used in aromatherapy practices. Similar to other citrus oils, lemon essential oil can break down mold spores at a molecular level. Researchers attribute this ability to the strong anti-fungal properties. Not only does lemon essential oil give off a pleasant and inviting aroma, but it also works to prevent mold from forming on surfaces like shower grout and bathtub caulking.
Tea Tree Oil
As a powerful fungicide, tea tree oil is best known for its antifungal properties in regards to skin care. Tea tree oil is effective against bacteria and fungus, but can it kill indoor mold? There are mixed views about this because an ingredient that can tackle fungus on the body may not work great on mold. According to some research, tea tree oil may help to clean moldy areas, but it cannot do it on its own. Combining it with lemon essential oil and vinegar, though, is the right way to solve the problem.
DIY Anti-Mold Spray
Ingredients:
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 20 drops lemon essential oil
- 40 drops tea tree essential oil
- 8-ounce spray bottle
Instructions:
- Pour all of the ingredients into a spray bottle, screw on the top and shake well to combine.
- Make sure to shake well before each use. Because mold is toxic, you should always wear a face mask and gloves when cleaning mold and mildew.
- Spray the anti-mold solution on the surface you want to clean and let it sit for about an hour. Using a microfiber cloth and scrub brush, remove any surface mold and then spray again.
- Allow to air dry. Use again when needed.
