Kill Mould – The Ultimate Guide

Vinegar is a natural acid. It’s also non-toxic (it’s even safe to drink) and harmless for the environment.

Vinegar also happens to be very cheap. You can also use vinegar undiluted or mix it with other cleaners such as baking soda.

Washing clothes in vinegar can be an effective method for removing the mould but it’s best if you can leave items soaking in the vinegar for 60 minutes or so.

But if you are trying to remove mould from furnishings or carpets you run the risk of staining the material especially if you leave the area damp or have to rub vigorously to remove mould markings.

Vinegar can work well to remove mould from non-porous surfaces particularly glass, tiles and other smooth surfaces.

Read More here: Does Vinegar Kill Mould?

We offer a 12-month guarantee against mould returning.

It does have anti-fungal 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.

Read More: Does Oil of Cloves Kill Mould?

We offer a 12-month guarantee against mould returning.

… and there are an enormous variety of brands and types on the market.

The reality is some are much more effective than others. Some disinfectants will kill microbial and fungal organisms but with such a range of products out there you need to do your homework. Check the ingredients list. What are the active ingredients?

Will they be safe for carpets or delicate fabrics or will they damage the fibres and cause discolouration.

Some commercial disinfectants still include more traditional ingredients such as oil of cloves or tea tree oil.

Read More: Does Disinfectants Kill Mould?

Steam cleaning is also used for removing mould stains too but the term ‘steam cleaning’ often refers to a number of different techniques.

It’s important that you know which one you’re using because the results can be disastrous if you get it wrong.

When people think of steam cleaning carpets they mostly refer to using hot water and detergent extraction techniques.

Although this method will remove many stains and mould it will not eliminate the mould spores permanently because the water temperatures are simply not high enough.

Read More: Does Steam Kill Mould?

Essential oils such as eucalyptus oil are extremely popular with Australians for cleaning inside the home and providing a refreshing scent.

The aroma is such an unforgettable part of Australian life. There is a huge range of eucalyptus species and the medicinal properties vary widely across this range.

Eucalyptus oil distilled from the right species (particularly E. globules) and at the right strength does have some medicinal and anti-bacterial properties.

However, as with so many natural remedies they can also be dangerous at the necessary potency levels.

Pharmacy grade eucalyptus oil contains at least 70% of the active ingredient cineole/eucalyptol and at this potency is considered dangerously toxic (potentially fatal).

Your average retail product will be considerably less potent or effective. Eucalyptus oil is also highly flammable.

Read More: Does Eucalyptus Oil Kill Mould?

Sugar Soap is commonly used for cleaning surfaces in preparation for painting.

Sugar soap is a generic term and its makeup varies a little from country to country but generally it contains an alkali substance (sodium carbonate), an abrasive substance, an organic solvent, and water.

Sugar soap is a cleaning agent and can be effective for removing stains, grease, and loose paint flakes.

Sugar soap can also rejuvenate painted surfaces but you need to be very careful to avoid removing too much paint or damaging the surface.

Read More: Does Sugar Soap Kill Mould?

Baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) is one of those items that should be in everyone’s pantry cupboard.

It is a powerful cleaning agent and is especially effective at removing stains and greasy marks from metallic surfaces such as pots, pans, and sinks.

Its mildly alkaline pH level (8.1) means it just eats away stains on other non-porous surfaces such as cups and plates too.

Baking soda is also a powerful deodorizer. If your food scraps bucket is starting to stink, simply wash and dry it then sprinkle a liberal amount of baking soda around the inside of the bucket.

Leave it overnight then wash and dry it again. You’ll be amazed at the results.

Read More: Does Baking Soda Kill Mould?

Lavender is an extremely popular essential oil famed for its aromatic and calming scent, which is why it’s often used to help people get a better night’s sleep.

Lavender also possesses some other therapeutic qualities including a degree of potency as an antibacterial agent.

Lavender really comes into its own as a freshener for your home—diffusing the scent through an essential oil burner is a lovely way to make a room smell fresh and clean.

But even lavender won’t hide the dank, musty smell of a serious mould problem in your home. Some studies have shown that lavender oil can be effective against bacteria but it is of very limited use against mould especially on porous surfaces.

Lavender essential oils are distilled from lavender flowers. But due to the massive popularity of lavender oil an entire industry has arisen that promotes cheap inferior oils.

Read More: Does Lavender Oil Kill Mould?