• Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is one of several natural mold killers that can be used as an alternative to chemicals. Combine about 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil with water in a spray bottle. Apply the mixture where you see the black mold. Allow it to saturate, then reapply if necessary. Tea tree oil is said to be one of the best natural mold killers.

• Baking Soda

Baking soda works as a remedy for mold because of its antifungal content.  Mix baking soda with water, and spray the content on the moldy area without scrubbing allow it to dry.

• Vinegar

Spay undiluted vinegar on moldy areas, do not rinse or wash off. After a while, the presence of the mold will begin to fade and so will the vinegar smell.

• Grapefruit Seed Extract

Grapefruit seed extract offers an alternative to vinegar because it is odorless and contains an antifungal property that helps fight off mold. Add grapefruit seed to water and spray on the affected area.

• Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide can be used to fight mold. Spray the hydrogen peroxide around the affected area, let it saturate for about 10 minutes.

There are several different causes of hair loss that are well known, such as genetics, hormonal changes and certain medical conditions, but there are also some lesser-known origins and one of them, believe it or not, is mold. Let’s have a look at how exactly hair loss can be caused by mold and what can be done to prevent and treat it. 

How can mold cause hair loss?

If someone is allergic to mold, their immune system assumes that the mold particles that enter the person’s body are harmful. They can enter the body by being inhaled, being touched or even by being consumed. Even though they’re actually harmless, the immune system works to release numerous chemicals, including one called histamine, into the bloodstream to fight off the ‘harmful’ particles. Histamine causes various symptoms of allergic reactions, such as itching, runny nose and watery eyes. Another thing histamine does is it causes inflammation, which reduces the amount of blood that reaches the hair follicles. This can result in hairs not receiving as much blood as they need and can lead to them eventually falling out all over your body, not just on your head. The longer you’re exposed to mold, the more you may experience hair loss. 

What can be done to prevent it?

It goes without saying that the best way to fight against this is to ensure your home is completely free from mold. Have a professional do a thorough inspection and if mold is found, be sure to have it removed as soon as possible. Mold growth can be a nuisance – not only can it cause health problems and lead to hair loss, it may even cause structural damage to your home, especially if it’s growing in your basement. 

What can be done to treat it?

The good news is that hair loss caused by mold can be treated and any hair that is lost can be regrown, though of course it may take some time. You should consult your doctor about your hair loss and tell him/her all the symptoms you’re experiencing, as there could be other factors contributing to the condition. You might even be told that your hair loss isn’t caused by mold at all – either way, it’s always best to be on the safe side and get professional advice. 

Mold is irksome, problematic and annoying. Hair loss is yet another thing it can cause and is yet another reason why it’s important to get mold detected and dealt with as soon as possible. 

If you notice green blue little fuzzy spots in different corners of your home, then you definitely have mold problems that need to be professionally addressed in order to be solved before they grow bigger. Mold spreads really quickly and affects the health of your family members. This is why it is of great importance to address all your mold problems quickly after you notice something wrong!

Here is what problems mold spores can cause if you fail to book the services of a reliable local mold inspector on time:

• Runny nose
• Headaches
• Eye irritation
• Throat irritation
• Respiratory problems
• Coughing/Sneezing
• Skin rash
• Asthma (commonly caused in infancy)

If you want to protect your family members, your guests, and yourself from the hazards of constant mold exposure, we advise you to hurry up and hire a mold inspector as soon as you suspect a problem. Mold Busters LLC is one of the most reliable contractors in Lewes, DE that can inspect your property using specialty safe equipment. For more information regarding our availability and prices, contact us.

A study from NSF International found that about half of coffee makers (we’re talking the classic, basket-and-carafe kind here) had yeast and mold growing in their reservoirs.  About one in ten were home to coliform bacteria. On average, home coffee reservoirs also had higher germ counts than both bathroom door handles and toilet seats.

And while the study tested only 22 households, germ specialist Kelly Reynolds said she doesn’t doubt the results.

“(Coffee makers) are certainly a moist environment where mold and bacteria are known to grow in high numbers,” said Reynolds, who studies household germs at the University of Arizona. “Our bodies can deal with them, but at some point they’ll grow to levels high enough to cause sickness.”

And contrary to what you may believe, hot water isn’t enough to get this gunk out. (The advice about running coffee through to disinfect? Not entirely accurate, either.)

We asked Carolyn Forté, director of the Home Appliances and Cleaning Products Lab at the Good Housekeeping Research Institute, about the most effective way to clean your coffee maker. The magic ingredient turns out to be vinegar, which (in addition to sanitizing) “decalcifies,” or removes the mineral buildup from tap water.

If you have a classic coffee maker, Forté says to give it a gentle cleaning every day and to decalcify it depending your coffee maker is full of mold on how hard the water is where you live.

“The carafe, lid and filter basket should be cleaned daily with warm, sudsy water,” Forté told The Huffington Post via email. “A coffee maker that’s used daily should be decalcified about once per month in hard water areas and every two to three months in soft water areas.”

Similar rules apply for “pod-based machines” like Keurigs — debris can clog their many nooks and crannies, so they also benefit from a vinegar run-through every few months, Forté says.

It really depends on how often you use your coffee maker and for how long it lies dormant. Because mold spores love to grow in nice, moist, quiet environments… or, say, a coffee maker you’ve left unwashed on your counter over the weekend.

No matter how often you use them, these decalcifying steps (outlined here for classic coffee makers) are the key to better-tasting coffee and we could all go for some of that.

1. Fill the coffee maker’s water chamber with equal parts white vinegar and water. Using a paper filter, allow to brew until half the chamber is empty.
2. Turn the coffee maker off and let it sit for 30 minutes, then finish brewing.
3. Rinse the machine by using a new paper filter to brew a pot of clear water. Do this twice.
4. Fill the carafe with warm, sudsy water and some rice as a gentle abrasive. Swirl the mixture in the pot, then use a scrubber sponge to remove any gunk. Rinse and dry.
5. Wipe the outside of the machine with a damp cloth (but remember, this and the previous step should really happen every day).

Voila! Delicious, germ-free coffee!

If you’re looking for a fresh start with a sparkling clean machine, check out some of Good Houskeeping’s favorite new coffee makers, from single-cups to big-time brewers.

Clove Essential Oil

Cloves are derived from an evergreen tree native to Indonesia. The flower buds natural methods are often used as a spice. The essential oil of clove has been used medicinally in Chinese and Indian medicine and herbalism as a painkiller for dentistry.

The famous Aspergillus Niger (also known as one of the black molds) is especially sensitive to clove oil. This suggests promising effectiveness in treating molds on hard (non-porous) surfaces.

Clove oil has potent anti-fungal properties and is recommended for inclusion in The Candida Diet. Cloves have been shown to put an end to Candida growth in the mouth and intestine. A study found that clove “had a fast killing effect on yeast cells.” Another study revealed the potential of clove oil as a food bio-preservative.

How to Use Clove Oil

Diffuse – After you have addressed your water problem, whether it be a leak or dampness, you could then diffuse clove essential oil, or a blend of oils known for reducing mold spores in the air.

Clean – For small mold contaminations on hard (non-porous) surfaces you may dilute essential oils with water to clean. You may want to try this suggested cleaning solution of 1/4 teaspoon of clove oil to 1 liter of water. Do not attempt to use a higher concentration of the oil as it is very potent. Always use caution when cleaning mold yourself (the EPA recommends that any mold problem larger than 10 square feet be examined by an expert), and test a small area with the solution first to make sure it wont damage the surface.

Mold thrives in places of high humidity and warmth. The more damp and warm an area is, the better. This includes walls, floors, personal items and even clothes. So what can be done about it?

The first thing to note is timing. The faster you can find a mold contaminated item, the better. Mold becomes increasingly hard to remove and deal with as it grows and thrives.

Mold can be found in some of the oddest places because it has the ability to thrive almost anywhere as long as it has the following three things:

1. Food
2. Moisture
3. Proper HumidityWith proper conditions, mold can spread quite rapidly.

Mold Grows on Clothing

As mentioned above, clothing is the perfect place for mold growth. If you happen to find mold on an article of clothing – hopefully its been caught quickly – there are a few ways to go about removing it.

Remember timing is of the essence when dealing with mold growth because the longer mold stays on the fabric, the worse it will smell and the more time it has to weaken and eventually rot your clothes.

Here are a couple of ways you can easily, safely, and quickly remove mold that is growing on clothing and get rid of the musty, moldy smell at the same time.

I. Vinegar

A very unusual approach would be to use vinegar in removing mold stains and its smell.  Vinegar is very useful and effective in removing the “moldy” smells from clothes.  Add 3/4 cup white vinegar to a load of wash.

The vinegar will remove any moldy smell from clothing. Repeat this process until all traces of mold and its smell are gone. Use detergent afterwards to thoroughly clean your clothes.

What’s so interesting about this process is that vinegar itself is made through fermentation with the help of a certain type of mold.

II. Old Fashion Cleaning

 
Brush off loose mold growth
Take all clothing that have mold or have been exposed to mold, outside and one by one, brush off any loose mold growth. By doing this outside you prevent mold spores from spreading inside the house.
Always remember to wear a protective mask and gloves when dealing with mold contamination.

Set out in the sun to dry
After brushing, leave the clothing out in the sun to dry.

Presoak in cold water
Presoak remaining clothes that have stains in cold water, then wash in hot water with 50% Oxi-Clean  &   50% .  Borox cleaner.  Allow the clothing to dry completely in the sun, repeat if required.

Use of “Mildicides”

“Mildicide“ is a new term or name given to products that are used in dealing with mold or mildew contamination.

Remember that if you choose to use a mildicide to remove mold and its odor from your clothes, always read the label for proper techniques. Mildicides are still chemicals and can be harmful to your health if not used properly.

If every item of clothing or fabric in your closet appears to be affected with mold, contact Mold Busters LLC for expert advise.

Determine if your humidity levels are high

An indoor humidity monitor can help distinguish if you need to reduce your levels. The recomended humidity levels are 40-50% RH indoors to decrease and prevent mold propagation. Condensation on or around windows is a good indication that moisture levels are too high. Act quickly to remedy the situation before mold begins to take root and becomes a much larger issue.

Increase ventilation

Be sure to use properly vented exhaust fans while cooking and dish washing and in bathrooms to reduce the moisture in the air. Ensure that ventilation throughout the home is adequate and used, especially in the bathroom.

Buy a dehumidifier

If you live an an area with high humidity, or you just can’t seem to get the levels under control in your home, an adequate dehumidifier may be needed to prevent mold and mildew growth in your home. Make sure you purchase one that will cover the square footage necessary.

You hear a lot about how to kill mold, or how to remove mold.  There are debates about whether you should use a biocide or some natural alternative such as vinegar or grape seed extract.  One thing that really helps to know, however, is how something kills or removes mold.

Now borax has a really cool name, maybe because it sounds really mean like anthrax, or Clorox, or maybe just because it has the phonic ‘ax’ in it.  At any rate, borax is interesting because it is a naturally occurring substance, and in addition to its mold-fighting powers, it is also used in making glass and ceramics.  The key superpower of borax, when it comes to fighting mold, is it’s extreme pH level.  Borax is found in very alkaline (basic) mineral deposits, and carries a pH level of about 9.3, which on a scale of 1 to 14, makes it extreme enough to be effective, yet not so extreme that it becomes harmful to humans.

You see, just like you and me, mold thrives in an environment where it feels comfortable.  For most types of mold, they like to live in an environment where the ph is somewhere between 3 and 7, which is more on the acidic side (a pH of 7 is considered neutral).  Some molds even like to live in pH environments below 3!   Enter borax, the alkaline archenemy of mold.  When you apply a borax solution to mold, it turns its environment into hostile territory.  It’s like taking a shade-loving, water sucking fern from Florida, and transplanting it into Death Valley, California, where it is extremely hot, dry, and no shade.  The plant cannot survive in such environment, so it shrivels up and dies.  And so it is with mold when you apply a borax solution.

So how do you use borax when removing mold?  Below is a quick reference guide for you to use.  Borax can be purchased at any grocery store, and it is relatively inexpensive.   You can safely use borax on any surface.  If, for some reason, you are unsure of what it might do to a bathroom sink, or a piece of clothing, simply test it on a small area first.   Borax is commonly used in laundry detergents.

How to kill mold with Borax

Recipe: Combine 1 cup of borax to 1 gallon of water. (1 to 16 ratio of borax to water)

Application:  Apply solution to the moldy area, be careful not to use too much on a porous material, like unfinished wood or drywall.  These materials absorb water, which will feed the mold by keeping it moist. Scrub the area with a rag or somewhat abrasive material until mold is removed.  Wipe area clean and dry the area.  You can lightly rinse the area, and lightly apply the solution again, but there is no need to completely rinse it off because borax inhibits any new mold from growing.  That’s it!

Cautions: Don’t eat it, otherwise it’s pretty safe.

So there you have it.  Not only do you know how to fight mold with borax, you now know how it wins!

It loses effectiveness over time.

Chlorine bleach rapidly looses its effectiveness. If you leave a glass of chlorinated water out on the counter for a few days, the chlorine will evaporate. This happens within the container as well. This evaporation process indicates that it will be hard to ascertain the true potency of your chlorine bleach solution, as the chlorine can escape through plastic. It may have been sitting at the store, or in your home for some time, diminishing the ability to perform.

It does not kill mold on porous surfaces and can actually contribute to mold growth.

Chlorine bleach can only kill surface mold. Because mold can grow deep roots within porous surfaces such as wood and drywall, bleach will not assist you in exterminating mold. The chlorine cannot penetrate to destroy the growth at its roots; it remains on the surface while the water component of the bleach reaches further, which can actually feed the mold growth.

It is toxic.

Chlorine bleach produces fumes that pollute the air and can become harmful to humans and pets. Chlorine bleach also generates a by-product called dioxin, which is linked to cancer. Use over time builds up these pollutants in the environment.

What should you use to kill mold?

If you have ascertained that it is safe to clean up the mold, there are a variety of options available. The most important step is to determine the cause of the moisture and make any necessary changes to assure that mold will not return and the area is properly ventilated. Some issues will need to be resolved by cutting out the moldy material and completely replacing it. This will make certain that the mold roots are removed and will not return.

Some people use vinegar, borax, hydrogen peroxide, tea tree oil or ammonia to kill mold, especially on small areas and non porous surfaces, as well as sanitizing mold and mildew on clothing. More specific biocides may be needed if you are dealing with a porous surface that you cannot remove, such as wood framing.

Proper treatment for mold growth will depend on the surface it has populated. Always consult a professional before attempting to remediate a mold problem yourself.