English Ivy is exceptional at purifying air, removing 78% of airborne mold in 12 hours. Its dense foliage traps moisture and absorbs mold spores and other airborne toxins, making it an ideal choice for improving indoor air quality and alleviating allergy symptoms.
Mold's biggest weakness? Moving air. Mold thrives on moisture and stagnant conditions, but airflow is its natural enemy. By keeping air circulating in your home, you can prevent mold from taking hold.
Make a bleach solution to kill mold. Mix one cup of bleach in a gallon of water. Apply it to the surface but don't rinse it off. Mix a 50/50 solution of ammonia and water.
Mold Basics. The key to mold control is moisture control. If mold is a problem in your home, you should clean up the mold promptly and fix the water problem. It is important to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
Using vinegar could not be simpler. All you need to do is spray it directly on to the affected area, or alternatively, spray the vinegar on to a rag and then apply it on the mould this way. Wait for around 15 minutes, do it again and then finish off by wiping the area clean with a damp rag.
Most molds can be killed at temperatures of 140 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit, but the effect isn't immediate. For hot dry air sterilization to completely destroy all mold spores in a room, the entire area would need to be heated to 140 degrees Fahrenheit for three hours.
Spider plants, orchids and leafy palms can all help to remove mould spores in the home. From the bathroom to the kitchen, any room that suffers from humidity, dampness, mildew or mould could benefit from one of these clever houseplants.
Spider plants thrive in humid environments and do a great job at absorbing both moisture and pollutants from the air. They require little maintenance, but they do prefer bright, indirect sunlight. They're also great value for money as they produce baby spider plants that you can cut off and use to grow your collection!
Vinegar is a proven method for destroying mold and eliminating pesky white spots from your plants. Mix two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with a quart of water, and spray onto your infected leaves and stems. Repeat every few days until all traces of mold are gone.
Using Air Purifiers
Air purifiers and air cleaners are devices that remove airborne pollutants from the air in your home, including mold spores. In general, they work by drawing air into the system, which then passes through a series of filters designed to capture and remove microscopic particles from the air.
Unfortunately, there are not any chemical solutions that are both “all natural” and strong enough to kill mold completely. The best natural mold killer is vinegar, but vinegar does not penetrate drywall or wood very deeply, and so often leaves behind some mold deep in the material.
While mold requires moisture to grow and thrive, it does not necessarily die without it. Mold is highly resilient and can enter a dormant state when conditions become unfavorable – such as when moisture is no longer available. During this dormant state, mold will suspend its growth and metabolic activities.
Aspergillus, a common mold found indoors, is the culprit in roughly one fifth of mold related hospitalizations and fatality rates among severe cases can exceed 50%. Discovered in 2009, Candida auris a fungus which often spreads in healthcare settings and has a mortality rate as high as 60%.
Black mold has a distinct smell. It's often described as musty and earthy and may even smell like rotting vegetables, plants, or paper. Some think it smells like cedar.
You will have to eliminate the cause of the mold, such as leaking pipes, foundation cracks, and external irrigation issues. Once you have repaired your home from the water damage and eliminated the leaks that caused the mold, take steps to prevent mold from occurring again.
While painting over mould may temporarily disguise the problem, paint alone will not kill mould. Instead, the mould will continue to grow underneath the paint until it begins to show through. It may also cause the paint to bubble or flake, ruining the finish. If possible, it's best to remove the mould before painting.
For a natural solution to getting rid of black mold, combine one part baking soda with five parts distilled white vinegar and five parts water in a spray bottle. Alternatively, you can use a chemical-based mold and mildew remover, all-purpose cleaners, bleach or dish soap.