Learn how to get rid of mold in your home without relying on dangerous, toxic chemicals.

Mold is pretty gross, and far worse, it can even make you sick. Exposure to damp, moldy environments can cause a host of ailments, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For those with a mold allergy, it can cause nasal stuffiness, coughing, wheezing, and skin irritation. Not to mention, that it can even cause serious, life threatening lung infections in those that are susceptible.

Mold most commonly forms in bathrooms, but it can also appear in other damp places like basements. But you don’t need toxic chemicals to get rid of it. In fact, using bleach or ammonia can come with its own set of symptoms. One study published in the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine found that parents who regularly cleaned with bleach had kids that got sick more often. For example, kids were 20 percent more likely to get the flu, 35 percent more likely to get tonsillitis, and 18 percent more likely to get any kind of infection. The study found that bleach kills so many germs that it takes a toll on the immune system and can even do damage to a child’s lungs.

So, how to get rid of mold without the chemicals that may make us sicker?

Not to worry–you can kill mold totally naturally. In fact, you only need one ingredient to do it! Simply spray the moldy area with undiluted vinegar. Spray the vinegar and let sit for a few hours and then use a scrub brush or a sponge (along with a little elbow grease) to remove the mold. This All-Natural Scouring Powder from Wellness Mama is also effective. The powder includes borax and baking soda. Just sprinkle on a wet surface and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes, then go in with a scouring pad. If you’ve got a really bad build up of mold (like a gross tub, sink, or toilet) come back again and spray it down with vinegar and then leave for a few more minutes and come back with a scrub brush.

If you’re not a fan of the vinegar smell, you can also add in some essential oil like lavender, lemon, or tea tree oil for a fresher, less pungent scent. Add 5-10 drops of essential oil to a spray bottle full of vinegar.

According to MNN, hydrogen peroxide is another safe option to get rid of mold. “You can also use hydrogen peroxide, which is commonly used as a disinfectant, to clean mold naturally. Just spray some on the moldy surface, let it sit for at least an hour, and then scrub the surface clean.”

Getting rid of mold just got a whole lot easier, right? And you don’t even need to go anywhere near toxic chemicals to get the job done. Plus, if you’re vigilant you can stave off mold growth before it takes hold by regularly spraying down problem areas with vinegar.

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Bathroom image from Shuttershock

The post How to Get Rid of Mold With Just One Ingredient–And Without Toxic Chemicals! appeared first on EcoSalon.

More than meets the eye.

Aside from the one way we all know vodka can be put to good use, it’s not a completely pointless liquid otherwise. In fact, the alcoholic beverage spreads itself quite thin on the usefulness scale. Vodka’s anti-bacterial properties are what give it such potency in combatting a lot of common ailments and household issues – from earaches to carpet stains. Grab yourself a bottle, or two, and redefine what it means to booze.

Poison Ivy Reliever

Apply vodka to an area affected by poison ivy and it will dry up surrounding skin, getting rid of any oils that are causing the poison ivy to inflame and itch.

Laundry Freshener

Fill a small spray bottle with vodka and lightly spray clothes. The vodka smell goes away when the clothes dry completely. The vodka helps to remove any unwanted odors.

Flower Preserver

Plants produce the ripening gas ethylene, which promotes maturation. Vodka stunts ethylene production and allows for flowers to stay fresher, longer. Spray flower stems with a 2:1 ratio mix of vodka and sugar. Repeat every few days.

Insect Repellent

Keep the insects at bay by squirting some vodka on your skin before going outdoors. Add essential lavender oil. Insects hate the smell of lavender, and you will prefer it to the smell of vodka lingering on your skin. You could also mix vodka into your scented moisturizer.

Jelly Fish Bite Soother

Much like vodka helps to treat poison ivy on the skin, the liquid also helps to alleviate the pain and itch that come post nasty jelly fish bite. Bring along a 1:1 mixture of vodka and water in a spray bottle to the beach just in case of an attack.

Hair Shiner

Add 1-2 ounces of vodka to your shampoo and watch as your hair emerges from a shower feeling cleaner, silky, and shiny.

Band-Aid Remover

Vodka will help to dissolve the sticky edges of a band-aid and allow for a painless removal. Not that you would, but a few swigs before peeling the adhesive off won’t hurt either.

Computer Screen Cleaner

Using water to clean a computer screen often leaves behind distracting smears. Apply vodka to the screen and wipe away for a seamless and clear complexion.

Eye Glasses Cleaner

It may not be the best idea to carry around a bottle of vodka, but a small spray bottle may be less conspicuous and prove to be very useful. Your glasses will get star treatment on the go.

Air Freshener

Mix equal parts water and vodka in a spray bottle and spray around the house. The vodka dissolves odors and the solution is completely odorless.

Razor Blade Cleanser

Soak razor blades in vodka and dissolve away build-up and buff the razor all in one. This trick will keep your razor blades clean and disinfected whilst extending the lifespan of your razor collection.

Jewelry Cleaner

Let your jewelry sparkle and shine. Soak and lightly scrub them in some vodka to remove any impurities.

Pore Reduction

Lightly soak one side of a cotton ball in vodka and dab your face. The vodkas acts as an astringent, tightening the pores and removing excess oils.

Homemade Mouthwash

Because of vodka’s capacity to fight bacteria and prevent infection, you can gargle it in the A.M. (without swallowing) to clean your mouth. Vodka may not be the first thing you want to taste on a sensitive morning stomach, so dilute it with equal parts water add a few drops of mint oil.

Cold Sore Treatment

Vodka can help to reduce cold sore inflammation and redness by drying the affected area. Dip one end of a Q-tip into vodka and use it to dab sores.

Shower Cleaner

Attack those moldy, dark crevices with a toothbrush and some vodka. Spray vodka onto moldy areas, let sit for 15 minutes, and then scrub away. The vodka kills the mold.

Antiseptic

Vodka is a great disinfectant and antiseptic. Apply to minor cuts and burns to kill bacteria.

Stickiness Remover

Vodka works wonders on removing all that is gooey! From stickers on car surfaces to gum on the bottom of a shoe, a little vodka goes a long way.

Treat Ear Aches

Put a few drops of vodka into your ear. Let the alcohol sit in the ears for a few minutes each and then drain. The vodka kills bacteria that causes pain.

Stain Remover

Vodka effectively gets rid of ink, grass and lipstick stains. Dab stain with vodka and rub the stain away. Add the stained garment to the laundry afterwards for a more thorough clean.

Tooth-Ache Reliever

Gargle vodka without swallowing, unless you want a buzz. The vodka will prevent infection and reduce inflammation and soreness in the mouth.

Foot Odor Cure

For those of you who suffer from foot odor, consider vodka your new best friend. Soak your feet in a shallow bucket of vodka, which will kill bacteria-causing odor. Let your feet dry to get rid of the vodka smell or wash your feet with fragrant soap directly after the treatment.

Fever Alleviation 

Vodka works well as a liniment to reduce a fever, because it evaporates very quickly and can provide a cooling relief. Apply vodka to a soft cloth and place on your chest.

Images: Karola Riegler, Bark, Tasumi1968, Marcus Vegas, Seishin17

Aylin Erman currently resides in Istanbul and is creator of plant-based recipe website GlowKitchen.

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