Some natural recipes to stop mold Tea Tree Oil Tea tree oil is one of several natural mold killers that can be used as an alternative to chemicals. Combine about 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil with water in a spray bottle. Apply the mixture where you see the black mold. Allow it to saturate, then reapply if necessary. Tea tree oil is said to be one of the best natural mold killers. Baking Soda Baking soda works as a remedy for mold because of its antifungal content.  Mix baking soda with water, and spray the content on the moldy area...
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We love nothing more than a good cup of coffee. But a good cup of mold? Not so energizing. A study from NSF International found that about half of coffee makers (we’re talking the classic, basket-and-carafe kind here) had yeast and mold growing in their reservoirs.  About one in ten were home to coliform bacteria. On average, home coffee reservoirs also had higher germ counts than both bathroom door handles and toilet seats. And while the study tested only 22 households, germ specialist Kelly Reynolds said she doesn’t doubt the results. “(Coffee makers) are certainly a moist environment where...
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Mold is everywhere, and toxic molds often take root within homes and other buildings. Water leaks and damp environments fuel the fugal growth and the proliferation of mold spores in the environment. Once mold is discovered, a safe and effective treatment is necessary to prevent further damage to building structure and the health of those who are exposed. One common cleaning method, chlorine bleach, is neither a safe nor often a effective solution. However, essential oils are becoming known as a harmless and potent killer of molds. Clove Essential Oil Cloves are derived from an evergreen tree native to Indonesia....
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Do Items in Your Home Have a Musty Odor or Mildew Stains? Mold thrives in places of high humidity and warmth. The more damp and warm an area is, the better. This includes walls, floors, personal items and even clothes. So what can be done about it? The first thing to note is timing. The faster you can find a mold contaminated item, the better. Mold becomes increasingly hard to remove and deal with as it grows and thrives. Mold can be found in some of the oddest places because it has the ability to thrive almost anywhere as long...
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High humidity levels can often be a contributing factor or cause of mold growth. Too much humidity in a home can lead to mold and mildew proliferation, especially during wet seasons. It is important to moderate these humidity levels and take steps to reduce them if they become too high. Prevention is the most important aspect in keeping mold at bay. Below are some suggestions to help monitor and decrease humidity in the home. Determine if your humidity levels are high An indoor humidity monitor can help distinguish if you need to reduce your levels. The recomended humidity levels are 40...
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How Borax Kills Mold You hear a lot about how to kill mold, or how to remove mold.  There are debates about whether you should use a biocide or some natural alternative such as vinegar or grape seed extract.  One thing that really helps to know, however, is how something kills or removes mold. Now borax has a really cool name, maybe because it sounds really mean like anthrax, or Clorox, or maybe just because it has the phonic ‘ax’ in it.  At any rate, borax is interesting because it is a naturally occurring substance, and in addition to its...
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Chlorine bleach is often regarded as the answer for removing and halting mold growth. It is usually the first thing many reach for when cleaning a mold contaminated area. While bleach may be effective in certain applications, it will not exonerate mold on a porous surface. Bleach can actually contribute negatively to certain mold problems. It loses effectiveness over time. Chlorine bleach rapidly looses its effectiveness. If you leave a glass of chlorinated water out on the counter for a few days, the chlorine will evaporate. This happens within the container as well. This evaporation process indicates that it will...
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DID YOU KNOW?  Painting over mold does not eliminate the problem, it only covers it up. When you have a mold problem, you first need to determine how much of the problem can be removed and how much need to be cleaned and treated.  First you will need to contain the area where the work is to be done, then remove the material that is effected that is considered disposable, that includes: drywall,  trim work, insulation, carpeting and more.  After the disposable material is removed we will then clean and treat all of the surrounding area. You should never just...
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The molds inside our homes produce toxic agents known as mycotoxins which can have negative effects on human health, and the World Health Organization (WHO) recently reported that seven million premature deaths are linked to indoor air pollution annually. And according to the Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA), the people at greatest risk of health effects and mold symptoms due to mold are infants and children, elderly people, and pregnant women; as well as individuals with allergies, asthma, sinusitis, or other respiratory conditions. The good news is that there are precautions that you can take at home. A common misconception...
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Efflorescence patterns are also sometimes mistaken for mold growth. When moisture migrates from the exterior through concrete, it dissolves some materials in the concrete. When the moisture evaporates on the inner side of the concrete wall, this material remains behind, sometimes looking like clumps or lines of fuzzy growth. This material is made of minerals, not mold; still, the presence of efflorescence indicates a moisture-intrusion problem in a basement. Mold requires moisture for growth, so you want to keep water out of your basement. Efflorescence on a foundation wall (picture above).  If your basement has ever experienced water intrusion from...
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