Is oil of cloves useful?
Oil of cloves has long been considered an effective home remedy for everything.
When it comes to essential oils for mould cleaning, clove oil is often one of the first types that people reach for. Not only is it anti-bacterial, but it’s also a known anti-fungal. For many, one of the main attractions to essential oils is the fact that they are natural. However, just because something is natural does not mean it is always safe or the best thing to use.
Mould is typically the result of an underlying problem such as humidity, lack of airflow or dampness – and without addressing these first, mould is likely to grow back time and again. Does clove oil kill mould? In a word, yes! Is it effective against large, old or spreading infestations? Not really.
To help you weigh up the pros and cons of using clove oil as a mould cleaning solution, here are some of the most commonly asked questions and answers.
Is clove oil good for mould removal?
It does have antifungal properties and may be useful for cleaning up small areas of mould before it takes hold and spreads too far. Generally, a ¼ of a teaspoon of oil of cloves to 1 litre of water is sufficiently strong to kill mould on most surfaces. You will need to leave it overnight.
To be truly effective on porous surfaces, the oil will need to penetrate to the core fibres, and this could cause problems with staining for delicate fabrics or carpets. As always, it pays to spot test on an obscure corner before cleaning the entire surface.
After 24 hours, you should clean the oil off with a mixture of baking soda and white vinegar. Oil of cloves will work on many surfaces, including glass, tiles, steel, enamel, and sealed timber but is not a good choice for fabrics.
Cleaning Kitchen Mould
In the home, there are two rooms where mould is often found; the bathroom and the kitchen. This is due to high levels of humidity and steam caused by showering, cooking and doing laundry. Kitchen mould is usually found around window frames, on the ceiling and behind cupboards, drawers and white goods.
Clove oil can be a great way to treat small areas of mould in the kitchen, especially when combined with white vinegar. The downside to this is the really unpleasant odour created that can linger for weeks. The best way to clean mould in the kitchen is with a diluted bleach solution. Once cleaned, try to increase airflow and dry off any areas of condensation.
Cleaning Bathroom Mould
Bathrooms are the number one room in the home for mould to grow thanks to daily baths and showers. As the steam rises, it slowly condenses on the walls and ceiling, resulting in condensation. In turn, this can lead to the onset of mould and mildew growth.
The bathroom is one of the few rooms where clove oil is considered safe to use, mainly due to it not being occupied for more than an hour or so a day. However, a mould removal spray from the store will more than suffice in the short term. In the long term, you may want to address airflow issues. If this isn’t possible, a dehumidifier can make all of the difference.
Is clove oil safe for Children?
A major problem with clove oil is that it may release a potentially harmful vapour, which is known as eugenol. Eugenol is potentially toxic to the skin, eyes, and liver and may trigger allergic reactions in some people – especially those with asthma and other breathing issues.
When used in a well-ventilated space and diluted as recommended, clove oil is considered to be a reasonably safe antifungal for those who are healthy. However, it is still best to use clove oil in areas where children do not sleep or play.
Is clove oil safe for pets?
There are many people who recommend clove oil as a mould cleaning solution, but is it safe for pets? While considered to be reasonably safe for use around humans, clove oil is toxic to both cats and dogs.
While it’s tempting to reach for the essential oils when first noticing mould or mildew in the home – you could end up making your pets very sick. Some of the most common types of essential oils that are toxic for pets include clove, tea tree oil, ylang-ylang, sweet birch, eucalyptus oil, citrus, cinnamon, oregano, peppermint, pennyroyal, pine and wintergreen.
To safely and effectively treat mould in a home with pets, your best option is to call in mould removal specialists such as Mould Cleaning Australia. Not only will they be able to treat different moulds by taking care of them at the root of the problem, but they’ll also know which products are safest to use in a building that houses pets.
The best way to remove mould from the home
While it never hurts to try certain home treatments for mould removal, it’s important to be aware of any potential contraindications and health concerns they could trigger. Clove oil may help with treating areas of light mould growth – but chances are it will only be a very temporary fix.
The best way to remove mould from home is to call in the mould removal experts. Not only will they perform various tests to detect mould, the number of spores and the underlying cause, but they’ll use the best cleaning and removal solutions for a permanent fix
Have a mould problem that you want to take care of without spreading it around the home? The experts at Mould Cleaning Australia are ready to help.
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