How To Spot Black Mold And 8 Natural Ways To Clean It

How would it make you feel to find out that you have a toxic substance growing in your home? It could be in your shower, in your walls, in your air ducts, on the ceiling of your basement, or just about anywhere else, but black mold may be threatening the health of your entire family.

Mold loves damp, dark environments. People who live in humid climates or old homes are most likely to be the ones with black mold problems.

If you do have black mold in your home, you’re probably suffering from symptoms that you were not aware were related to mold at all. You may write them off as seasonal allergies or chronic issues, but following a mold detox for your body and home, your symptoms may very well disappear.

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Symptoms of Black Mold

Many of the black mold symptoms that people experience are identical to allergies or hay fever symptoms because really, your reaction to black mold is an allergic reaction. Over time, symptoms may become more severe.

Some of the most common symptoms include:

Headaches
Chronic fatigue and weakness
Difficulty concentrating
Eye irritation
Sneezing, nasal congestion
Chronic coughing, shortness of breath
Irritation to the mucous membranes (sinuses, mouth, throat)
Rashes
Stiffness/joint pain (especially in the morning)
Tingling and numbness of the skin
Increased thirst
Increased urinary frequency
Metallic taste in the mouth
Abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea
Nausea, vomiting
Bleeding in the nose
Depression, mood swings
Fever

The severity of symptoms depends on how much mold is present (i.e., how many spores you inhale) and on the duration of exposure.

Signs of Black Mold in The Home

If you live in an old home, a humid area, or you become aware of the following things, you may have mold growing in your home.

Moldy smell
Deterioration
Damp basement
Warping
Rust
Leaking roof
Leaking pipes
Sight of mold

If you think you may have mold in your home, do something about it! Mold is a major health risk, and it’ll only get worse over time. Here are eight ways to get rid of this dark fungus from your home naturally.

8 Ways to Get Rid of Black Mold Naturally

1. Baking Soda

Baking soda is an excellent natural cleaning solution and deodorizer. It’s also completely safe to work with, making it a family-friendly choice. Baking soda gets right to the root of the issue and eliminates mold completely when used correctly.

This method does require a little elbow grease, but the outcome is well worth it. Don’t forget to wear a mask when scrubbing away toxic substances like black mold.

Method:

Mix equal parts baking soda and water so that it forms a paste.
Apply the paste to the mold and leave it until it has dried.
Use a brush to scrub off the mold and baking soda from the affected area. Wipe away any remaining baking soda.

To prevent mold from growing there again, put two tablespoons of baking soda and two cups of water into a spray bottle. Shake vigorously and spray over the area. Let it dry, and then leave the baking soda there to protect the area and prevent regrowth.

2. Vinegar

White vinegar is another great nontoxic, affordable, and effective multipurpose cleaner that can be used to get rid of black mold. Its acidity allows it to break through all kinds of buildup and toxins.

No need to mix vinegar with anything else. Simply put vinegar into a spray bottle and apply it all over the area with the mold. Allow it to sit for an hour as it dries. Wipe down the area with a damp towel and allow it to air dry (open windows, bring in fans, etc.).

3. Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is a nontoxic antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial solution. Its oxidizing properties allow it to kill off microbes and prevent unwanted bacteria and fungi from growing and multiplying.

Make sure to spot test first, as hydrogen peroxide can act as a bleaching agent.

Mix two parts water with one part 3% hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle. Spray on the affected area and allow the solution to sit for ten minutes. Scrub away stubborn stains and wipe down the whole area with a damp towel. Allow the area to dry.

4. Tea Tree Oil

Essential oils are known for their antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. Tea tree oil is not an inexpensive solution, but a little bit goes a long way, and it’s extremely effective. Not only will it get rid of the mold, but it will also help to cleanse the air and detoxify the whole room in which it is sprayed.

Combine one teaspoon of tea tree essential oil with one cup of water in a spray bottle. Shake well and apply the mixture to all areas with black mold. Allow the mixture to sit for ten minutes and then wipe the area clean with a damp towel. Lightly spray over the area again with the solution and allow to dry.

5. Vodka

Believe it or not, vodka is an excellent cleaning agent due to high alcohol content. Grab the cheapest vodka you can get your hands on and pour it straight into a spray bottle. Spray on the mold and let it sit there for about an hour. Wipe clean with a damp cloth and allow to dry.

6. Grapefruit Seed Oil

This odorless yet powerful essential oil made from grapefruit seeds is an antifungal agent worth using if your home has been attacked by black mold. It is proven to kill all sorts of fungal infections, including candida, athlete’s foot, nail fungus, yeast infections, and fungal skin infections. Turns out, it will also kill the fungus infecting the walls of your home.

Add ten drops of grapefruit seed oil and one cup of water to a spray bottle and shake well. Spray on all areas with mold and let the solution sit for ten minutes. Wipe away with a damp cloth and allow to dry.

7. Increase Ventilation

If that pesky mold just keeps coming back, there’s a good reason. It means that water is constantly sitting around, not drying, for long periods of time. That’s why it’s so common to get mold in and around the shower or bathtub.

Make sure that areas of high humidity are well ventilated. Open windows and doors after a steamy shower, and bring fans into the basement to keep it dry.

8. Keep the Shower Dry in Between Uses

As mentioned above, the shower is a hot spot for black mold. Get a squeegee for the shower and wipe down the walls after every use. Tell your family to do the same. Make sure water doesn’t accumulate and sit in corners and crevices inside and outside the shower.

Conclusion

You really don’t want black mold sitting around in your home. At the first sign, combat mold using the natural remedies above. Once you do this, you can breathe easy knowing that you have a safer and cleaner household for your whole family to enjoy.

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Larry & Oksana Ostrovsky, founders of BeWellBuzz, are Life Upgrade Coaches committed to helping you navigate through the latest natural health and personal development information to a destination of optimal wellness. The goal of this site is to be a catalyst in creating and spreading the Buzz, dispelling dangerous myths, society norms and helping you elevate your spirit, do more, live better, and think deeper one day at a time.

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