Simple cleaning remedies to ward off mold and mildew growth
Mold and Mildew are fungi that love damp dark places and can infest homes. They can grow on anything, from floor tiles to carpet, and wood surfaces to plumbing fixtures. Both love damp surfaces that receive little or no sunlight. W ith a bit of hard work and some easy to find items like vinegar and chlorine bleach, g etting rid of these growths is easy.
Mildew grows on the surface of damp objects and looks like a powdery white deposit. Mold is a deeper infestation that looks black or green and can be harder to get rid of. With this article, you will see that cleaning mold and mildew is really no big deal.
How to kill mold and mildew?
You don’t need any special brushes or cleaners. Just use your usual cloth and scrubber. You can use easy to find household items like vinegar, baking soda, chlorine bleach etc., to get rid of these unwanted growths.
- Chlorine Bleach
Chlorine Bleach mixed in water can help you get rid of mold or mildew on most surfaces like tiles, grouts, outside walls etc. - Hydrogen Peroxide
Keep a bottle of a 3% Hydrogen Peroxide Solution at hand. This is a mild germicidal. This is a good option to use on the mold that has grown on the upholstery or furniture.
Vinegar is a good item to have in your arsenal of home cleaning items. Mix some vinegar with water and you can use this to clean most surfaces for removing mold.
After cleaning mold and mildew, make a paste of water and baking soda to clear off the stains and residue they leave behind. Baking soda is slightly abrasive. This helps get rid of stains without leaving scratches on fine surfaces.
General mold removal tips
It is wiser to prevent than treat. So, let in air and sunshine by opening windows and doors in rooms that get damp. This dries out moisture and so prevents the growth of these fungi. Install dehumidifiers in bathrooms and basements, to ensure that there is no excess moisture in the air.
Don’t leave damp clothes lying around, they provide ideal surfaces for mold growth. If you spot mold on your cloth, brush it off, then wash it in the washing machine, and use chlorine or non-chlorine bleach as appropriate for the cloth, to kill the growth. Hang them out to dry in the sun. Remember, sunlight also kills these fungi.
For cleaning mold and mildew in hard to reach places like behind pipes and fittings, behind wall mounted shelves etc, soak some cotton balls in vinegar, chlorine bleach, or hydrogen peroxide and insert them into these spaces. After a few hours, remove the cotton balls and clean the area with water.
Mold removal from the corners of your household is easy if you know the trick to do so. Keep your rooms clean and dry to prevent them, but if they do appear, you know what to do next!
