Getting Rid of Mould Naturally: 5 Non-Toxic Ways

Mould may be growing in our homes without us even knowing. Especially in the more humid northern regions of New Zealand, It loves those dark, humid places that are out of sight and rarely see the light of day.

But once it takes hold, it can be challenging to get rid of.

When conditions become ideal, mould can grow quickly - often within 48 hrs.

Why is it essential to remove mould?

Leaving mould untreated can lead to worsening respiratory illnesses, along with:

• Lowered Immunity
• Headaches
• Eye Irritation
• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Skin Rashes

Continued long-term exposure to mould can even lead to :

• Asthma
• Memory Loss
• Hormonal imbalance
• Fatigue 
• Chronic Sinus infections
• And more 

Bleach: Why you should NOT use it

• Bleach is a chlorine-based corrosive substance; even small amounts can harm our health, particularly our respiratory system.
• Bleach is not recommended for removing mould as it only kills the surface mould. 
• Bleach is a dangerous substance to have in our homes. It can become deadly if mixed with other substances such as ammonia, vinegar, drain cleaners, or hydrogen peroxide.  A shocker is that if it is mixed with dirty water or water high in organic compounds, it can give off chloroform gas. 
• Bleach is one of the top poisoning toxins of children worldwide.

Solutions - How to remove mould without bleach or other toxic products.

Fortunately, there are ways to deal with mould in a non-toxic way. 

1. Treating mould with CLEANZ

What you will need:

CLEANZ Bathroom Cleaner, CLEANZ Oxy-soak, 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. (Hydrogen peroxide can be purchased as a 3% solution and is recommended as an antiseptic/disinfectant. This is a link to a supplier we have found that is one of the more cost-effective suppliers (" Counties Cleaning")

• Spray liberally with CLEANZ Bathroom Cleaner
• Sprinkle CLEANZ Oxy Soak onto the mould, spray again with Bathroom Cleaner to wet the Oxy Soak
• Scrub with a toothbrush or scrubbing brush.
• Allow it to soak in for 3-5 mins
• Rinse it off or wipe it off with a microfibre cloth.
• Spray the surface with the 3% hydrogen peroxide solution and let it dry.

(The hydrogen peroxide has the ability to penetrate porous surfaces). Ensure you do a small test patch if you are concerned about damaging any surface.

2. Treating Mould using Vinegar

Vinegar is a mildly acidic substance that cleans, deodorises, and disinfects. It can also kill approx 82% of mould species. It can be used safely on most surfaces, and its offensive odour eventually disappears.

What you will need:

A spray bottle, White Vinegar. 

• Spray undiluted Vinegar onto the mouldy surface.
• Leave for approx an hour.
• Scrub with a brush if the mould is stubborn.
• Wipe the surface with clean water and allow to dry.

3. Treating Mould using Baking Soda.

From absorbing odours in the fridge to relieving heartburn; baking soda has a number of uses around the house — including black mould removal. It’s safe for your family and pets, and it not only kills black mould, but it also absorbs moisture that attracts mould. 

What you will need:

A 500ml spray bottle, one-quarter of a teaspoon of Baking Soda.

• Mix the ¼ teaspoons of baking soda with water in a spray bottle, and shake until dissolved.
• Spray onto the mouldy area, and leave for 30 mins.
• Scrub brush to remove the mould.
• Wash/wipe down with water removing all mould.
• Finally, spray again with the solution allowing it to dry - this will help prevent the mould from re-establishing itself

4.   Treating Mould with Essential Oils

Tea tree oil is an insect repellant, antiseptic, and deodorizer — and it’s one of the safest methods for getting rid of black mould. Tea tree oil is a natural fungicide that cleans up mould quickly and it helps prevent mould spores from coming back.

What you will need:

A spray bottle, one teaspoon of Tea Tree Oil.

• Combine the Tea Tree Oil with 1 cup of water and pour it into the spray bottle.
• Spray the mouldy area and leave for at least an hour.
• Wipe with a microfibre cloth or dry towel.
• It is advisable to wear gloves as the essential oil may irritate the skin.

5. Treating Mould with Lemons

Lemons are a natural deodoriser, antiseptic, stain remover, and cleaner — and they can also remove black mould. The high concentration of acid in lemons breaks down mould, making it easy to remove, and leaves behind a disinfected surface. Along with that wonderful citrus aroma!

What you will need:

3 to 5 Lemons

• Juice three-to-five lemons into a cup and pour over the mouldy area. 
• Let it sit for five minutes
• Then wipe the surface with a damp towel. 
• You can reapply and scrub the surface to remove tough mould stains.

Prevention is better than cure

Of course, it's better to prevent mould from making it into our homes.

These are some preventions to action to ensure your home stays healthy and mould free.

• On fine days get those windows open and let that breeze through
• Ensure dryers are vented to the outside and use wool dryer balls to reduce moisture
• Squeegeeing showers after use
• Repairing leaks
• Have effective bathroom ventilation.
• Dehumidifiers can also be a useful tool

By using our non-toxic mould removal method as outlined above, you can easily and safely take care of mould problems in your bathrooms without causing any future health issues... a healthy home win-win!