But just what should a homeowner turn to? Rather than shelling out for an expensive – and potentially harmful – bottle of chemicals, try tackling your mold problem with materials you already have at home.

Whether you’re trying to tackle mold in the cracks of your tiles or across your wall, one of these solutions may just do the trick:

1.) Bleach and Warm Water

Want to know a secret? Sodium hypochlorite, the main ingredient in household bleach, is also the main agent in many costly mold-fighting products.

Skip the mark-up and create a solution of your own, using one cup of bleach for every gallon of warm water. Using a brush or a spray bottle, apply your bleach and water mixture to your mold-afflicted areas. Be sure to dry the area thoroughly after you’re done; after all, moisture is the main cause of mold in the first place.

2.) Vinegar

Vinegar is one of our favorite natural cleaning options here at Combat Plumbing. It can tackle everything from dishwashers to floors, and it’s even versatile enough to help with your mold problems, particularly on non-porous surfaces like tile.

Using apple cider or white vinegar in a spray bottle, apply the vinegar to the mold, then clean the area thoroughly with a brush and dry it off.

Caution: never add vinegar, or any other acid, to a bleach solution. Doing so will create toxic chloramine and chlorine vapors. This is a good time to remind you to make sure your work area is well ventilated, too. 

3.) Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide solution has all sorts of uses around the home – including treating mold and mildew. Using a 3% solution and a spray bottle, apply the peroxide to the area, then wait at least ten minutes. After waiting, thoroughly wipe down the area with a brush or rag.

While peroxide is a safer alternative to bleach and other cleaning solutions, it can cause discoloration on some surfaces, so be sure to spot test before applying it to a large area.  

4.) Baking Soda

Mild and safe for kids, most pets, and you, baking soda is also an effective option for attacking mold and mildew, as either a paste or on its own.

To make a paste, simply combine two tablespoons of baking soda with eight ounces of water and spray on your moldy surface. From there, use another spray bottle to apply vinegar to the same area. This will create a foaming reaction that will help kill multiple strains of mold at once.

You can also make use of baking soda all on its own! Just sprinkle baking soda on the damp, moldy area and let the sodium bicarbonate sink in, or penetrate, the damp surface. This is particularly effective on more porous surfaces, like wood or drywall.

5.) Ammonia and Water

Ammonia can be safe and easy to use, provided you’re using the right kind. Make sure you’re using clear ammonia – try mixing one part clear ammonia with one part water for a quick, potent solution. Spray this mixture on the moldy area, then scrub away. Make sure you wipe down the area with a clean towel to clear away any excess ammonia once you’re done. For a more stubborn mold, apply ammonia directly with the spray bottle, then wait several hours before wiping the mold away.

One more reminder: never mix ammonia and bleach! This creates a highly toxic chemical that shouldn’t be ingested in any way – even small fumes are highly toxic and potentially harmful.

The most effective way to combat mold and mildew? Stop it before it starts. Have your trusted plumbing pro regularly inspect your pipes to make sure that your entire system is leak-free – and that your home stays safe, dry, and clean.

Looking for a plumber in the Red Oak area? We’re here to help! There’s no problem too big or small for our experienced team. Drop us a line, day or night, to get started!