The cruel mistress La Niña made sure that much of Queensland and New South Wales were bathed in water during the summer and fall, and according to the BOM, the humid weather is likely to continue in the winter.
Relentless humidity has ensured that even people in homes and businesses not devastated by the floods are now struggling with serious mold and mildew problems.
For those who are not used to dealing with rampant fungi, it is difficult to get rid of them, with advice flying through all the social media about the best methods.
Lisa Bentley, of Lisa’s Eco Cleaning in West Brisbane, has been collecting tips on how best to remove mold for 17 years. Through extensive research and experimentation, this is the effective formula he has created.
Lisa Bentley believes she can mold almost anything. (Supplied)
How to remove mold from walls and other hard surfaces
Ms. Bentley says clove oil is key to killing mold spores. (But it can be toxic to humans and pets, so don’t eat it!)
Although some cleaners will use bleach, this will simply discolor the mold for a while, so it is no longer visible, but is likely to return.
Bleach does not kill mold spores, it only hides them for a while. (Provided by: Gillian Akers)
She says this technique will work on most surfaces except limestone or marble:
- Put 1/4 teaspoon of clove oil in a liter of water; no more clove oil is needed, as it can discolor surfaces
- Use a spray bottle to lightly spray on the mold and leave for 24 hours.
- After a day, clean the surface with a mixture of white vinegar and water (three parts vinegar, two parts water)
- A 1-liter bottle of formula should last about a year for the whole house.
Treatment of molds on leather or wood:
Mold can grow on all types of surfaces, especially if they are not kept clean. (ABC News: Damien Larkins)
- Mix 1/4 teaspoon clove oil with 250 milliliters of baby oil and shake.
- Apply very lightly to leather and wood surfaces to kill mold
- Do not overuse! – This small bottle should also last about a year.
Removal of surface and soft tissue molds:
- Put 1 kilogram of non-iodized cooking salt in a 9 liter bucket of water
- Stir with your hands until dissolved
- Put the flowery garment in the solution and leave it to soak overnight
- Take the wet item and hang it on the clothesline to dry slowly
- The slower it dries, the better: as the salt crystals are reformed, they expand into the fibers, removing the mold.
- When dry, remove mold.
Canvas awnings / umbrellas, etc .:
- Immerse a broom in the salt solution on top and apply it to the surface
- Wait for it to dry and then brush it off.
Mold prevention
Prevention is always better than cure, of course, but sometimes it’s easier said than done.
Removing moisture and moisture is the key to stopping mold as it needs moisture and nutrients to grow.
Read more tips on how to protect your home from mold-proof here.
Safety tips
Queensland Health recommends wearing a mask and eye protection when cleaning the mold. (Unsplash: CDC)
The Queensland Health website says caution should be exercised when cleaning the mold, as it can be dangerous to breathe.
He suggests that “get personal protective equipment, including disposable half-sided respirators with P1 or P2 filters, to avoid inhaling mold spores during cleaning.
“You’ll find them at hardware stores.”
He also says to put sheets on the floor and make sure there are no more while cleaning, if necessary.
They say don’t put dirty clothes back in your cleaning solution and “always use a different cloth with each process and throw them away afterwards, or the mold spores will scatter and reappear.”
Other formulas for removing mold
Queensland Health has some different suggestions:
- A solution of 3 parts vinegar and 2 parts water
- A solution of 70 percent brandy and 30 percent water
- A tea tree oil and water solution
- supermarket shopping products, but be sure to follow safety instructions to protect your eyes and skin.
Where to find clove oil?
Clove oil is proving difficult to find as people look for solutions to their mold problems. (ABC News: Dan Colasimone)
Products like clove oil and white vinegar can be hard to find right now, with so many people struggling with mold problems.
Key oil, which a retailer described as “liquid gold right now,” can be found, when available, in some pharmacies, health food stores, or through online retailers.
Posted May 26, 2022 May 26, 2022 Thursday, May 26, 2022 at 8:16 PM, updated yesterday at 2:27 AM Friday, May 27, 2022 at 2:27 AM