It doesn’t take long for mold to begin growing when moisture lingers within the home. It is important to always address water leaks and water condensation quickly. However, even with the most thorough attention, mold growth can still commence and cause damage to your home and health. I live in the wet Pacific Northwest, and even though I am constantly on guard against mold because of my past experiences and this blog, it is still often a battle to keep it from taking root, especially during the damp winters.
A Nontoxic Solution
There are many products available to combat mold. However, if you have mold in your home, or if you are trying to recover from toxic mold exposure, you will want to be sure that the products you choose are safe and effective. I have written about why bleach should not be used to kill mold, and believe it is best to find a nontoxic solution. My own involvement and research has led me to begin using pure essential oils to fight mold both topically (on surfaces) and internally (supporting immune function after mold exposure).
Studies are showing that mold doesn’t appreciate essential oils. Some specific oils that may be effective against mold include tea tree oil (melaleuca), rosemary, cinnamon, oregano, thyme, and lavender. I’ve often used tea tree oil to clean mold on hard surfaces and to wash fabrics with mildew. It also helps combat mold in my washing machine.
Oil Quality
I only recommend essential oils that are guaranteed to be pure. Many of the oils available today are diluted and may contain chemicals and pesticides. If you would like more information on essential oils, feel free to contact me.
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Krystle Reeves assists in managing MoldBlogger.com, a website dedicated to providing a place to share and receive information that will better allow individuals to fight and conquer toxic mold and the consequences of mold exposure, and also blogs at Where the Green Things Grow where she shares her adventures and challenges in gardening, parenting, and life.
9 comments
I was wondering what oils you use internally? Our family has suffered from mold exposue and we are trying to heal ourselves. We have found oregeno oil works well.
I like to use a protective blend that is beneficial in killing mold and can be taken internally. Also, rosemary can be taken internally. Both should be diluted, especially when applied to skin. I also take oregano oil.
-Krystle
We moved into a 100 year old farmhouse with a mold problem. Do you know if a fogger with essential oils added will be effective in removing the worst of the mold?
I have popcorn mold on my stand up shower ceiling. It’s getting worst and management won’t do anything about it. My 2yr old has been congested for a two months now and I know it’s because of the mold. I know there must be more under the bathroom floor. Out of desperateness I used bleach to kill it about four months ago but it just came back. I don’t know what to do!
Hi I have been suffering from aspergilious for2years now and result is now asthma I’m living in Spain last 6 months and no problem till now last week very sick breathing very bad taking 30 mg steroid every 3 rd day . I was in hospital this very time last year double pnewmonia and fluid on both lungs lucky to have survived just wondering is there anything else I can do to relieve symptoms use my Ventolin every day m
Hi me and my girlfriend live in a apartment building that was built in 1940 and nothing has been changed since then when it comes to the structure. No walls, no pipes, No windows. The building in total had 68 violations according to the health department. My girlfriend’s apartment was infested with a pest call Bird mites which are like bird lice. Now my girl has a horrible skin condition, OCD, traumatized and so much more. Now I have developed a very bad cough and now she is to. It gets worse at night. I know it’s in our bathroom because it always smells musty what do I do about getting rid of it all
Hey Amanda L Bakley you can go through these steps to getrid of mold or you can just remove it by some DIY tips mentioned here may be it will help you http://www.floodaz.com/how-to-remove-black-mold-without-killing-the-environment/ or you can just simply call professionals to clean it if you are not in that condition to clean mold yourself.
The kids’ bathroom in my son’s previous house had lots of mold. Even though they moved about 2 months ago, the three youngest can’t get healthy. They have ear infections, colds, and bouts of strep one right after another. I am concerned they have some mold toxicity in their systems that is making them vulnerable to every little bug around. They are also on one antibiotic after another. What can be done naturally for them to cleanse their systems and build their immune systems? And does this sound like mold toxicity? The older kids have all been sick at least once so far this winter, but not ongoing like the little ones.
Help!
The kids’ bathroom in my son’s previous house had lots of mold. Even though they moved about 2 months ago, the three youngest can’t get healthy. They have ear infections, colds, fevers and bouts of strep one right after another. I am concerned they have some mold toxicity in their systems that is making them vulnerable to every little bug around. They are also on one antibiotic after another. What can be done naturally for them to cleanse their systems and build their immune systems? And does this sound like mold toxicity? The older kids have all been sick at least once so far this winter, but not ongoing like the little ones.
Help!