If you have a mold problem, you may not need expensive cleaning agents. Instead, you can use baking soda and vinegar, items you may already have in your kitchen. Vinegar has a wide range of applications in our homes, mostly as a cleaning agent.
It is also known to kill about 82% of mold species due to its acetic acid. Baking soda, on the other hand, is perfect for absorbing moisture, which is a catalyst for mold breeding. Therefore, as a powerful combination, a mixture of vinegar and baking soda is not only odorless but also useful in getting rid of mold naturally.
In this post, we have provided a detailed guide on how to remove the mold using these home remedies. If you’d also love to learn why mold occurs and other better ways to deal with it, we have covered that too.
What Causes Mold?
Mould continues to be a significant issue for many homeowners. Not only is it awful-looking, but it poses a danger to your health band furniture. But what exactly is mold?
Mould is a type of fungus, small and naturally occurring organisms that can be black, brown, green, white/greyish, or even orange. Mould is present everywhere, indoors and outdoors. It thrives in the presence of moisture and breeds by releasing spores into the air. As long as you have molds in your house, you continuously inhale these spores. This could worsen Asthma and other respiratory allergies. However, small amounts of mold may be harmless.
Below are some of the conditions that cause mold.
Condensation
Air contains water vapor, but the level is reliant on the temperature present in your home. When moist air meets with a cold surface or cold air, it cannot preserve its original amount of vapor; therefore forms water droplets.
A family can produce even up to 15 litres of water vapor daily due to the usual bathing, washing, cooking, and even breathing. If you have poor ventilation, most of this vapor will be trapped within your house. Inadequate ventilation also leads to condensation of this vapor, which causes dampness. Buildings with solid concrete, brick, and stone are at a high risk of condensation, which leads to mold problems since these types of walls are colder. To avoid condensation, ensure your home is well ventilated at all times.
Leakages
Leaking of pipes in either residential or commercial buildings occurs when you least expect them. If left unattended, it will cause a lot of dampness around it. Mold grows well in humid and damp conditions like walls, bathrooms, and kitchens where leaky pipes often occur.
Repeated and unnoticed leaks cause significant moisture build-ups in walls leading to walls weakening and severe mold growth. And the worst part is that the mold will continue to grow unless the leak is fixed and the mold removed. Homeowners should frequently check for leaks before they cause further damage and to stop the spread of mold.
Food
Leftovers of vegetables, fruits, and the bread also attract molds. This is because they provide nutrients which the fungus can feed on, causing it to spread at a faster rate. You will also find mold on cardboard, window frames, concrete dirt, leather, and fabrics. As long as there’s some moisture and food source, mold can occur anywhere within your house.
How to Clean Mold with Vinegar and Baking Soda
As stated earlier, baking soda and vinegar are an excellent combination of combating mold. You will need the following:
- Vinegar
- Baking soda
- Brush/ scouring pad
- Gloves
- Mask
- Piece of cloth or a rag
Follow the following simple steps with your gloves and mask on.
- Mix baking soda and vinegar respectively in the ratio 2:1
- Mix until it forms a thick paste.
- Smear some of the paste onto the surface and allow it to rest and dry.
- Scrub vigorously until the mold disappears.
- Repeat the process if there is some stubborn mold.
- Rinse with clean water and wipe dry.
FAQs on Black Mold
How Does Mold Affect You?
If there is a mold infestation in your home, you may start experiencing sneezes, cough, wheezing, headaches, runny nose, watery eyes, and fatigue quite often.
Inhaling mold spores can block the airways, triggering nasal congestion, chest tightness, and throat irritation. Persistent exposure to extreme levels of indoor wetness can fail lung functions and lead to long-lasting health complications such as Asthma. Some toxic types of mold produce allergens or other poisonous substances.
How Does Black Mold Affect Your Floor?
Mold gives your floor an ugly stain and may weaken the grout between the tiles. It has a habit of growing under the carpet, in concrete cracks, and even between the tiles. When this happens, you have no choice but to replace the whole flooring, which is time-consuming and quite expensive.
What Does Black Mold Smell Like?
Black mold, also known as Stachybotrys, does not have a strong smell, but the scent is very distinct. To tell of the presence of mold in your home, follow the smell. The simplest way to describe the smell of black mold is “musty” or “earthy.” Though, other people relate the scent to that of rotten leaves, plants, wood, and even sweaty socks. While mold is growing, it produces gases called microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOC’s) which are associated with fatigue, headaches, and nausea.
How Common Is Toxic Black Mold?
Toxic black mold is rare. A lasting moisture problem regularly causes this dense, black mold. Black mold is often seen when there is flooding or water damage or high levels of condensation. In the open air, toxic black mold breeds in soil, and plants remain.
Are All Black Molds Hazardous?
There is no specific type of mold termed as “black mold,” as most molds are black. Often people use this term when mentioning the class called Stachybotrys. There is no evidence to suggest that exposure to Stachybotrys is more dangerous than any other type of mold. Nevertheless, extreme exposure to black mold triggers an increase in allergy and asthma symptoms.
Therefore, to be safe, you should get rid of any mold growth and prevent it from growing back in your home.
Can Cleaning Black Mold Make You Sick?
Any kind of exposure to mold can cause coughing nausea, irritation in your eyes, dizziness, and allergy reactions. Very toxic mold can also trigger Asthma. When cleaning, use protective gear such as gloves and eyeglasses.
Conclusion
Mold causes a very unsightly look on your walls, floors, and any other areas where they appear. Besides damaging your home, mold also causes allergy reactions, nausea, fatigue, and other health complications. There are several commercial cleaning agents out there, but you can also effectively clean using vinegar and baking soda.
Prevention is also better than having to clean. Therefore, develop a habit of regularly fixing any leaks in your house, sealing the floor, and maintaining ideal humidity levels. You can do this by using dehumidifiers to get rid of excess humidity. Fans and adequate ventilation prevent the accumulation of excess moisture.
