Mould Protocol

Rainy weather brings moisture, and unfortunately, moisture brings mould.  It can grow on our walls, furniture, clothes and bedding and inhaling the mould spores triggers chronic conditions such as fatigue, asthma and allergies.  

Luckily, there are a few simple steps you can take to reduce moisture in your home and kill mould spores naturally:

• Place small bowls of rock salt mixed with baking soda in areas of the home prone to harbouring moisture like bathrooms, wardrobes or areas that don’t get much natural sunlight. The rock salt will absorb moisture from the air, while the baking soda will aid in the removal of musty odors.

• In wet weather, close all your doors and windows to prevent warm, humid air from entering your home and keep them open when there is a cool breeze. 

• Invest in a dehumidifier if you can for lengthy rain periods or if your home tends to hold humidity.  

• Keep wardrobe doors open and remove bedding regularly to allow air flow.  

• Fix leaks around the home, avoid hanging washing indoors and use fans if you have them!

Mould can begin to form within 48 hours on any damp surface but the good news is that you can clean it, kill the spores, treat the stains it leaves behind and make a mould prevention spray using a few simple ingredients including clove essential oil, vinegar and sodium percarbonate - and absolutely no toxic bleach!  Did you know that bleach DOES NOT kill mould spores?  It only changes the colour!  Tea Tree and Clove essential oils are both anti-fungal and used throughout this protocol.

Step 1: Clean the Surface

This is a multi-purpose cleaning spray is best used for removing germs and prepping your surface for the best results in the next steps.  I use the same cleaning spray on all surfaces in my house but I halve the amount of Castile Soap for general use. 

100ml White Vinegar

100ml Distilled Water

40 Drops Clove Essential Oil

Spray lightly over affected surfaces and leave for 10 minutes.  Wipe surface with a damp cloth.  Repeat or follow with the prevention spray in Step 4 for best results.

It can take 48 hours for mould spores to die and fall away from the surface.

Step 3: Treat the Stains (optional)

This step is completely optional but often the dark patches mould leaves on light coloured surfaces can be unsightly and may leave you wondering whether the mould is still growing!

100ml 3% Hydrogen Peroxide Solution

10 Drops Clove or Tea Tree Essential Oil

Mix ingredients in a 100ml glass spray bottle and spray on affected surfaces.  Leave for at least 4 hours and wipe down with a damp cloth.  Repeat for stubborn stains or for areas where a paste is convenient (in the shower for example), try the following:

1/2 Cup Sodium Percarbonate

1/4 Cup Hot Water

10 Drops Clove or Tea Tree Essential Oil

Mix all ingredients to form a paste and apply to affected areas.  Leave for at least 4 Hours and wipe down with a damp cloth.

Step 4: Prevent the Mould (optional)

This step is also completely optional but is great for homes prone to mould and slowing the process or preventing it completely in naturally damp, dark spaces.

100ml Ethanol or Isopropyl Alcohol (70% minimum concentration)

50 Drops Clove Essential Oil

Allow affected surfaces to dry completely and spray lightly.  There is no need to wipe this solution down as the alcohol will simply evaporate leaving the Clove Essential Oil to work its magic!

Please note that these methods have not been lab-tested.  The conditions in and around your home will affect the results and if your building is water affected and there is moisture built up behind your walls and flooring you should engage a mould specialist.  You may need to deal with the root cause of the problem such as leaks and drainage before you have any success with mould removal, both natural or otherwise.