How to Get Rid of Mold and Mildew (We Tested 5 Methods)

No matter how much effort you put into keeping your house squeaky clean, certain things are beyond your control. One of them is mildew and mold growth.

Mildew is a type of fungus that thrives in warm and moist areas of your home. While mildew manifests as a white or grey film on the surface, a larger infestation beyond the surface is referred to as mold. Mold is green or black and can commonly be found in bathrooms and rooms that are poorly lit with no ventilation. Also, if you happen to live in a humid climate, mold can be a constant menace.

Black mold spots not only make your home look dirty, they also pose a threat to the health of your family and your pets. The mold spores are invisible to the naked eye but stay suspended in the air. They can then be inhaled and cause asthmatic attacks, allergies and can even lead to depression in some cases.

To spot mildew or mold in your home, look for discolored, bulging or peeling paint on the walls. Your walls may also start giving off a musty smell, indicating mold growth behind the drywall surface. Examine the grout between your bathroom tiles, as it is one of the most susceptible places for mildew and mold growth. The wooden cupboards and cabinets in your kitchen are also common growth areas.

Once you’ve spotted the site of an infestation, before your begin the remediation, it is important to get rid of the source to prevent regrowth. Open up the doors and windows around the area to allow fresh air to circulate. If there is any leakage or constant condensation, get it fixed immediately to avoid further damage.

That being taken care of, it is time to remove the existing infestation. While you can easily find chemical cleaners in the market, they often give off toxic fumes that aren’t very friendly to your health. However, a number of household items work equally well in killing the fungi without posing a health threat.

Here are the five most effective household items that can help get rid of mildew or mold in your home.

Note: Always wear cleaning gloves when removing mold to prevent the spores from coming in contact with your skin.

Method 1: Vinegar

White vinegar is the safest and most inexpensive option you can use to get rid of the scuzzy mildew or mold in your home. It works as a powerful antibacterial and antifungal agent, killing the fungi effectively and cleaning your home efficiently. It is safe to use on almost all kinds of surfaces and won’t harm your skin either.

Also, do not worry about the vinegar smell. When the area is properly ventilated, the smell will dissipate in 1 to 2 hours.

Step 1. Spray white vinegar on the mold

• Fill a small spray bottle with white vinegar.
• Generously spray the vinegar all over the mold infestation.
• Let it sit for 1 hour.

Step 2. Wipe off the residue with a damp cloth

• Dip one side of a wadded cleaning cloth in plain water.
• Use the damp cloth to wipe off the dead mold. The residue will easily come off on the cloth.
• Once all the mold has been removed, give the area a final wipe with a dry cloth.

A single cleaning should remove all of the mold successfully. However, if some still remains, repeat the process until the area is completely mold-free.

Note: You can also use this method as a precautionary measure if your bathroom perpetually stays moist and is prone to developing mildew or mold.

Method 2: Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is another potent antifungal agent that can be helpful in getting rid of mold in your house. The natural oil derived from the tea tree plant is also skin-friendly and therefore, is found in a number of anti-acne treatments.

Since it is a concentrated essential oil, just a few drops of the oil is enough to treat a large mold-infested area.

Single-Step Method: Prepare the cleaning solution and spray on the mold

• Add ½ teaspoon of tea tree essential oil to ½ cup of water in a spray bottle. If you need to disinfect a large area, increase the quantities proportionately. Maintain the ratio of 1 teaspoon of tea tree oil per 1 cup of water.
• Secure the nozzle and shake the bottle well to mix the two liquids.
• Generously spray the diluted tea tree oil all over the mold infestation.
• Wait for 1 minute, then scrub off the loosened gunk with the cleaning cloth. If needed, spray some more solution on the mold and continue scrubbing until it comes off completely.
• Rinse the area with water.

Do not worry about the strong tea tree oil smell. It will dissipate after a few hours.

Method 3: Bleach

Though a harsher chemical, compared to the previous two methods, nothing works more effectively than chlorine bleach when it comes to killing any kind of fungal growth. Bleach will not only treat the visible mold but also kill the mold spores suspended in the air, thus disinfecting the area completely.

The only drawback to this method is that bleach cannot pass through porous surfaces, such as wood and drywall. Hence, it will only clean the superficial mold. However, you can use bleach to completely get rid of mold or mildew on tiles, such as in your bathroom or kitchen.

Note: Since bleach will give off strong fumes, it is best to keep the area well-ventilated. Also, cover your mouth with a mask to avoid inhaling the fumes.

Single-Step Method: Prepare the cleaning solution and spray on the mold

• Add ½ a tablespoon of chlorine bleach to ½ a cup of water in a spray bottle. Be very specific with the quantities when diluting bleach, as a higher concentration can corrode the surface being treated.
• Attach the nozzle and shake the bottle well to mix the two liquids.
• Wet the infested area by spraying the bleach solution all over the mold.
• Let it sit for 2 to 3 minutes.
• Use a household sponge to scrub off the mold.
• Rinse the area thoroughly with water and wipe it dry.
• If your kids and pets cannot reach the treated area, you do not need to give it a final rinse. The residual bleach will help prevent future mold growth.

Note: Discard the sponge after use, as it will be unfit for cleaning other areas. 

Method 4: Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide has also proven its worth in getting rid of mold from different surfaces. It works as a powerful disinfectant, killing different bacteria and fungi by changing their chemical structures. It is also a much safer option than commercial bleach, as it does not give off toxic fumes.

Direct application of food-grade hydrogen peroxide is enough to safely get rid of mold from surfaces and kitchen utensils, too.

Single-Step Method: Spray hydrogen peroxide on the mold & wipe it off

• Spray undiluted 3% hydrogen peroxide on the infested surface.
• Let it sit for 10 minutes.
• Use a household sponge to scrub and wipe off the mold residue.
• Repeat the process until the area is completely clean.

Note: Always store your hydrogen peroxide in a dark and cool place, as the light will break the hydrogen peroxide molecules into water and render it useless.

Method 5: Baking Soda

Last, but equally effective in killing mold, is baking soda. Almost every household has a box of Arm & Hammer that can be used in different ways for cleaning your home. It can also be used as a mold killer.

Baking soda works not only as a disinfectant but also as an effective deodorizer that will eliminate the musty mold smell. Baking soda also helps absorb excess moisture from the infested area.

Single-Step Method: Spray a baking soda solution on the mold and scrub

• Add a ¼ tablespoon of baking soda to 1 cup of water in a spray bottle.
• Attach the nozzle and give the bottle a good shake to completely dissolve the baking soda.
• Generously spray the solution all over the mold.
• Let it sit for 10 minutes.
• Use a cleaning cloth to scrub off the mold. The loosened mold will easily transfer to the cloth.
• Repeat the process to kill any remaining mold.

Tips

• If you live in a rainy area, it’s wise to invest in a dehumidifier to keep your home dry rather than breaking the bank to get mildew- or mold-infested areas repaired again and again.
• Always clean up any spills immediately to prevent mildew growth.
• Keep your home well-ventilated to help prevent mildew or mold growth.
• Mildew can also grow on clothes and fabrics that are stored for a long time. Add in a few naphthalene balls to keep your clothes smelling fresh. You can also use one of the remedies here to get rid of the musty smell from your clothes.
• Always keep your cleaning products far from the reach of children and pets to avoid any mishaps.