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Everyone has seen them, those tiny dark spots that spring up around the bathtub, on window sills, and on shower curtains. Mold. Mold is a type of fungus that loves to grow in dark damp places and can seemingly spring up overnight. Not only is it unsightly and smelly, but it can also be quite dangerous. The best thing to do if you spot mold in your home is to take action immediately, which means it’s time for some DIY mold removal.

The trouble is that many home mold removers are extremely toxic, making them bad for you and the environment. Not to worry, there are many eco-friendly options that work just as well if not better, making it possible for you to remove the mold without having to use any harmful products in or around your home. Let’s take a look at our picks for the best non-toxic mold removers, then we’ll discuss how you can use them to remove the mold and prevent it from coming back.

Top 5 Best DIY Mold Removal Options of 2021


Reviews of the Best Non-Toxic DIY Mold Removal

Naturally It's Clean Mildew Stain Cleaner

Enzyme Cleaners

Quick Look: Breaks down tough stains. Kills bacteria. Removes and prevents mold. Check Price at Amazon

You may have never heard of enzyme cleaners, but trust us, you want to know about these incredible eco-friendly cleaners. These cleaners contain natural enzymes that break down and eat bacteria and germs – making cleaning a breeze.

When it comes to mold, enzyme cleaners not only work on the mold, but they also help to remove the foundation of the mold by breaking down the molecules that molds thrive on. This means that it will kill the mold and prevent it from growing back. An enzyme cleaner would be a great choice for cleaning any porous surfaces because the enzymes can penetrate all those tiny cracks and truly get to the heart of the problem.

These cleaners are very simple to use. All you have to do is spray down the surface and allow it to sit for 10 to 15 minutes, making sure that the solution does not dry out. If you have a particularly tough spot to clean and you want it to soak for more than 15 minutes, you can either spray on more cleaner or just spray water over the area to keep the enzymes active. Once it is done soaking, wipe the area down with a damp rag and the mold should wipe away. Another wonderful benefit of enzymes cleaners is that they completely remove odors by consuming the bacteria that causes the smell, so not only will the mold be gone, but that musty smell will go with it.

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White Vinegar

White Vinegar

Quick Look: Eco-friendly, non-toxic, kills most bacteria. Removes and prevents mold. Check Price at Amazon

Vinegar has gained a lot of popularity over the last few years as a cleaning product, but in truth, people have been using vinegar for thousands of years and for good reason. Vinegar is not only great for preserving foods, but it also kills many types of bacteria and some viruses. It is completely environmentally friendly and safe to use around your home. It can remove stains, clean glass, and best of all it kills and prevents mold.

Since vinegar is edible, it is the perfect cleaning option for those who have small children and pets. It may make your home smell like pickles for a little while, but the smell dissipates quickly, leaving behind sparkling clean surfaces that are germ and mold-free.

You can purchase vinegar at any grocery store and it is quite inexpensive, usually ranging between $1-$3 for an entire gallon. You can also buy concentrated cleaning vinegar for tougher cleaning jobs. If you use regular white vinegar, you can use it just as it is, no diluting required. Simply fill a spray bottle and spray the moldy area. You may have to use a little elbow grease, but the mold will come off. If you have a problem area, you can use the vinegar to prevent mold as well. Simply spray the area once every two weeks to ward off any new spores that are trying to take hold.

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Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen Peroxide

Quick Look: Disinfectant, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral. Kills mold and spores. Check Price at Amazon

Hydrogen peroxide has been used as an antiseptic since the 1920s and still commonly used today. Not only is it effective against bacteria, but it is also antiviral and antifungal, making it a great cleaning product.

Hydrogen peroxide is non-toxic and environmentally friendly. It is fully biodegradable and safe for home use. You should not swallow it, but it is safe to use on your skin and can even be used as an antiseptic mouthwash. It can cause skin irritation if used in high concentrations, but you will only need the 3% concentration for your non-toxic mold removal project, so no worries about it hurting your skin if you happen to accidentally spill some.

All you have to do is grab a spray bottle and mix 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide with two cups of water. Spray the solution over the entire area and allow to sit for at least 10 minutes, then wipe away with a damp rag. If you have any stubborn spots you can dip the rag in more hydrogen peroxide and give it a little scrub. This solution is a great option for removing mold from porous surfaces such as fabric, but it can have a lightening effect, so spot test before doing a large area.

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Baking Soda

Baking Soda

Quick Look: Removes stains and odors. Works on smooth and porous surfaces. Check Price at Amazon

Baking soda is a super common household item that has all kinds of great uses from removing bad odors to making your pancakes soft and fluffy. Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is a natural substance that maintains pH balance. This means that baking soda can neutralize both acids and bases, making it great for getting rid of unwanted smells and bad stains like those that come from mold and mildew.

Baking soda is slightly abrasive, so it is great for deep cleaning situations like scrubbing away mold. It can also have a drying effect and since mold loves moisture, anything that removes moisture will help to prevent mold from growing.

You can either mix baking soda with water in a spray bottle and spray down the moldy area or you can make a baking soda paste to put over the mold. The paste works better for tougher spots, but if you have a larger area to cover, you may want to go with the spray. Just cover the area with your chosen mixture and allow it to sit for a time, then wipe away the residue. If you use the paste, you can allow it to dry completely, the scour is away with a scrub brush or toothbrush. Repeat if necessary.

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Tea Tree Oil

Tea Tree Oil

Quick Look: Antibacterial, antifungal, and antiseptic. Eco-friendly, effective against mold and mildew. Check Price at Amazon

There is all kinds of information online about how incredible essential oils are. Some of it is true and some of it may be exaggerated, but it is hard to exaggerate about tea tree oil. Tea tree oil has so many uses from repelling bugs to getting rid of dandruff. It is eco-friendly and non-toxic, although it is very powerful and should be used with caution. Overexposure can cause skin irritation, so it is a good idea to dilute it before using it on your skin.

When it comes to cleaning products, tea tree oil is a great disinfectant. It can be used all over your house to disinfect as well as deodorize. It will freshen your home without any harsh perfumes. Some people don’t care for the smell of tea tree oil because it can be a little strong. If that is the case with you, you can simply add a few drops of a citrus or floral essential oil to brighten the scent.

To remove mold, simply mix 1 teaspoon of tea tree oil with 1 cup of water in a spray bottle and shake vigorously to combine. Spray the moldy area and allow it to sit for a few minutes then wipe it away with a damp cloth. You can use this same spray to prevent mold by simply spraying down problem areas every couple of weeks.

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How We Chose The Best DIY Mold Removers

No one should have to worry about whether their mold remover is more dangerous than the mold itself. That is why we focused on finding DIY mold removal options that were safe, effective, and easy to use.

Safe

Whether you’re worried about your children and pets or simply want to be able to clean without harming your lungs, non-toxic cleaning products are a vital part of living a healthy and earth-friendly lifestyle. That is why we chose products that are safe all around so your home can be sparkling clean and 100% safe.

Effective

Sometimes eco-friendly products aren’t quite as effective as their harsher chemical counterparts, but when it comes to mold removal effectiveness is paramount. That is why we chose products that have been proven to work against even strong molds like black mold.

Ease of Use

Cleaning is not fun and it certainly should not be made more complicated with products that take forever to work or have to be applied over and over to get the job done. All the products on our list work quickly and require very little effort on your part. You’ll still have to do a bit of scrubbing, but the mold will be taken care of. Not only will it be gone, but most of these products work to prevent mold from regrowing which means less work in the long run.

What You Need To Know About Mold

Mold is so prevalent that everyone comes into contact with it at some point. If you’re still not sure what mold is and why you should avoid traditional mold removers, here is a little information on the subject.

Mold

Mold is a fungus that grows in damp dark areas such as basements, bathrooms, and window sills. You can also find molds on foods and plants. Mold spreads via spores that float through the air until they find an appealing place to take up residence. Most molds are dark in color, looking black, brown, blue, or gray. Some look fuzzy while others look powdery. Mold can grow very quickly, sometimes springing up in as little as 24 to 48 hours.

There are many different types of mold, some of which can be very harmful. Mold can cause skin and eye irritation, respiratory problems, severe allergic reactions, and more. The best thing to do if you find mold in your home is to remove it as quickly as possible.

Avoiding Harsh Chemicals

Many mold removal recommendations involve the use of bleach or other toxic chemicals. Although bleach is very effective against killing surface mold on smooth materials, it is also dangerous, both for you and the environment. Bleach fumes can burn your lungs, causing serious breathing problems and not just when you’re cleaning. These fumes can hang around for hours, still harming you and your family for hours after your chores are done. Bleach can also react with other common household chemicals like ammonia with even more serious repercussions.

Bleach does not break down the way that natural cleaners do. This means that if it enters a waterway it can cause damages for years to come. Not only is it poisonous, but it can also kill helpful bacteria in the water and cause cancer in certain animals.

Protect yourself and your family by avoiding bleach and other harsh chemicals that do more harm than good.

Call A Pro

As we mentioned, mold can be very dangerous. If you find a large area of mold in your home you should call a professional mold removal service immediately. Never touch mold with your bare skin and wear a mask if you’re going to be around mold for any large amount of time.

How to Use The Best DIY Mold Removers

Normally this section would be reserved for information about choosing the best product for you, but all of these products work well and you could easily use them all in one way or another. So here are a few tips to help you get rid of the mold for good.

Combine Products: Although each of these products is powerful on its own, they can be even more powerful when combined. You can mix them in different combinations, such as combining vinegar and tea tree oil for a strong multipurpose disinfectant spray. You can also use them one after the other for a strong cleaning routine. If you have stubborn stains that refuse to come up, try sprinkling baking soda over the stain and then pouring hydrogen peroxide over the baking soda. Allow it to sit for a few minutes and then give it a scrub.

There are thousands of recipes for homemade cleaning products online and nearly all of them will involve at least one or more of the products we’ve mentioned. That shows you how well these products work.

Clean Your Cleaning Tools: That may sound a little funny, but mold can grow back from even one tiny spore. After you have finished cleaning, be sure to clean your brush, rag, or sponge to remove any residual spores.

Prevention: Prevention is the absolute best way to deal with mold. After you have removed the mold, make sure that it doesn’t reoccur by removing the cause. This may involve fixing a leaking pipe, repairing a leak in the roof, or installing a dehumidifier. Be sure to keep the area dry and occasionally retreat it with your DIY mold remover.

Bottom Line

No one wants to find mold in their home, but it happens to all of us. As long as you catch it early, there is no reason to be alarmed. Just grab your eco-friendly mold remover and stop the mold before it has the chance to spread. By using these strong non-toxic products, you can rest assured that your home is mold-free and safe for you and your entire family. By choosing environmentally-friendly products you can also know that you’re helping to protect the world outside your home. We hope this information has given you the confidence to slip on your DIY work gloves and defeat the mold once and for all.

Top 5 Best DIY Mold Removal Options of 2021