Mold comes in many forms, some of it toxic. This article offers blends of essential oils for mold and mildew of the everyday, not toxic, variety.
Caution: Wear gloves, safety glasses, and a mask when cleaning up
mold to avoid eye irritation from accidental splash back and to
avoid absorbing mold spores into your body.
Tea Tree Oil to Remove Mold
Tea tree essential oil is a top choice for cleaning mold. This blend will often work:
- 1 cup distilled water
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 2 teaspoons tea tree essential oil (Melaleuca alternifolia)
- Add all ingredients to a spray bottle.
- Place the spray cap on the bottle.
- Shake vigorously, and spray on mold.
- Let the blend remain on the surface, not rinsing. The smell is strong at first, but it goes away.
Another way to use tea tree:
- 1 cup baking soda
- 3 tablespoons castile soap
- 30 drops tea tree essential oil
- Mix the baking soda and castile soap in a bowl to make a paste.
- Add tea tree oil.
- Use about a teaspoon of this mixture on a scrubby brush. After scrubbing, rinse the area with water.
For more scrubbing power, use tea tree blended with borax:
- 1/2 cup borax
- 2 tablespoons vinegar
- 30 drops tea tree essential oil
- A plastic container with a lid
- Combine all the ingredients in the container until they have the consistency of a paste.
- Wearing gloves, and preferably a mask, apply a little of the mixture to the mold.
- Scrub off the mixture.
- Thoroughly rinse the area with water.
Source: Aromahead
Other Essential Oils for Mold
Thyme is another essential oil for getting rid of mold. Blend the following ingredients in a spray bottle:
- 2 cups hot water
- 25 drops thyme essential oil
- 2 teaspoons citric acid powder
Shake well. Spray on moldy surfaces. Wipe clean with a damp cloth or sponge.
Source: The Naturally Clean Home
Other essential oils for mold removal include rosemary, eucalyptus, and pine.
Another essential oil blend to remove mold:
- 2 drops cinnamon essential oil
- 5 drops patchouli essential oil
- 2 teaspoons tea tree essential oil
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 3/4 cup water
If you have a mold or mildew buildup, spray the surface and leave the blend on it for a few hours. Wipe surface with a soft cloth. Spray the surface again and let dry without rinsing.
Stronger Mold Removal Blends
For stronger but still safe mold removal with essential oils:
- 20 drops clove essential oil
- 20 drops eucalyptus essential oil
- 20 drops tea tree essential oil
- 28 drops cinnamon essential oil
- 40 drops lemon essential oil
- 1/2 cup distilled water
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
Mix in spray bottle, and shake well before using.
Borax Blend
- 5 drops tea tree essential oil
- 5 drops thyme essential oil
- 5 drops oregano essential oil
- 5 drops lavender essential oil
- 5 drops orange essential oil
- 1 teaspoon borax
- 2/3 cup white vinegar
- 1/4 cup distilled water
- 8-ounce spray bottle
- In a glass bowl, combine all the ingredients and whisk until well blended.
- Use a funnel to pour the mixture into the spray bottle. Close bottle and shake.
To use: Shake. Spray some of the blend onto moldy areas. Let sit 15 minutes. White clean with a damp cloth.
Source: Cleaning With Essential Oils
Click here for a book on how to remove mold that’s toxic.
Mold Prevention Cleaning Spray
Use this spray liberally on shower curtains and other damp areas of the bath or shower to prevent mold and mildew. You can also use the spray on outdoor furniture. Never use this spray on the skin.
- 16-ounce spray bottle
- 15 ounces distilled water
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 30 drops geranium essential oil
- 40 drops tea tree essential oil
- 40 drops palmarosa essential oil (or substitute lemon essential oil)
- Fill spray bottle with 15 ounces water.
- Add the white vinegar and essential oils.
- Close bottle and shake vigorously before using.
Source: Essential Living
Also see cleaning with essential oils.
Photo Credit: Infrogmation/Wikimedia GNU