As we close up windows and doors for the colder months, we accidentally create the perfect breeding ground for mold. But rather than use harsh chemicals to combat growth, did you know that some essential oils kill mold?
Rather than wait for the mold to appear, using the right essential oils could help to prevent germination in the first place, keeping your home healthy while making your room smell nice.
But before you send your best essential oil diffuser to war on mold, there is one trick you need to know, mold remediation pros warn. Here’s how to use essential oils that kill mold effectively.
Essential oils that kill mold
Getting rid of black mold in your home is not easy, and usually requires a mix of harsh chemicals, cleaning with vinegar, and the best dehumidifiers to tackle it effectively.
However, as with most things, prevention is better than a cure. That’s where essential oils that kill mold come into play. The trick is to pick the right oils for the job, opting for 100% pure ones that have natural anti-fungal properties.
Laura Ascher, natural living expert and owner of Our Oily House, explains that several essential oils have been found through studies to have anti-fungal properties that can stop the spread of mold around the home, especially on non-porous surfaces.
The most popular being tea tree oil (from Amazon), clove oil (from Walmart), lavender oil (also from Walmart), and Lemongrass oil (from Amazon).
She shares, ‘My favorite essential oil to use, based on my experience, is tea tree essential oil. It contains compounds, most notably terpinen-4-ol, that directly damage the structure and function of mold cells.
'When mold spores or hyphae are exposed to the oil, their cell membranes become compromised, leading to leakage of vital contents and disruption of energy production. In practice, that means tea tree oil can kill active mold growth and also inhibit new spores from germinating, reducing the chance of recurrence.’
Popping your oils into a waterless essential oil diffuser, such as the Vivitest ceramic essential oil diffuser from Amazon, is your best bet for large-scale coverage, but you can also clean with essential oils for more targeted treatments.
Waterless essential oil diffusers can disperse essential oils without increasing indoor humidity.
Of course, essential oils that kill mold are only part of the prevention strategy, and like any measure, should not be used in isolation, Laura adds.
Michael Zohouri, mold remediation expert and founder of Pyramid Eco, adds, ‘My advice is to use essential oils only after you've tackled the root cause. Improve the ventilation, manage humidity levels, and then use something like clove oil to help stay on top of any minor regrowth.
‘Most of the problem areas we see are caused by poor airflow, cold spots, and excess moisture. Unless you deal with those underlying issues, no amount of cleaning or oil will keep mold from coming back.’
A dehumidifier, such as the energy-star-rated Insignia 35 pint dehumidifier from Best Buy, has been invaluable in helping to prevent mold growth in my small, damp kitchen, with the added benefit of mitigating the risk of mold when drying clothes indoors in winter.
Mold prevention essentials
Michael says, 'Clove oil in particular has strong antifungal properties. It can help slow mold regrowth after cleaning, especially on non-porous surfaces like tiles or glass. It won’t remove mold on its own, but it may support prevention when used correctly.'
This waterless essential oil helps to distribute mold-fighting essential oils without contributing to increased humidity in your home.
With Energy Star Certification, this 35-pint dehumidifier reduces moisture in the air, allowing you to feel more comfortable, and features auto-shut off and a full bucket indicator that notifies you when the water tank needs to be emptied.
This large room air purifier cleans rooms up to 1,000 sq ft in one hour, catching microscopic particles such as mold spores thanks to its HEPA filter system.
Distilled white vinegar is a fantastic non-toxic cleaning tool for any home and can be used to effectively kill mold bloom on surfaces without harsh chemicals.
This easy-grip scrubbing brush is suitable for cleaning bathtubs, tile walls, countertops, shoes, and laundry and is easy to disinfect after cleaning away mold.
FAQs
What removes mold spores from the air?
One of the best ways to remove mold spores from the air is to invest in the best air purifier with a HEPA filter. HEPA filters are designed to trap 99% of microscopic particles, helping to reduce circulating mold spores and prevent airway irritation and regrowth.
We recommend the Shark Neverchange Air Purifier MAX from Best Buy, which promises to capture up to 99.98% of airborne particles over a 1400 sq. ft. area.
Meet the experts
Laura's journey began in 2013 as a new mom seeking natural solutions at home. She has spent the last decade and more creating DIY bath and beauty products, natural cleaners, room sprays, pest repellents, and beyond. She spent years learning, testing, and perfecting DIY recipes, from laundry soap to skincare, pest control solutions, and household cleaners.
Michael Zohouri leads the retrofitters at Pyramid Eco as its founder, bringing over a decade of experience to the company. His expertise spans energy-efficient retrofitting projects, including insulation, solar, and heat pump installations.
Essential oils might be a more natural way to target mold, but beware of some common essential oil mistakes, such as mixing oils with bleach, that could produce potentially toxic results.
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