Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil (also known as melaleuca oil) is a natural fungicide that is effective at killing mould spores throughout the home. It’s a great choice because it’s environmentally friendly, harmless to pets and people, and small amounts can be extremely effective. Of all the natural mould killing solutions tea tree oil is the most effective.

It’s favoured by environmentally friendly advocates, so it’s opted over toxic and corrosive solutions like bleach or ammonia to remove mould. However, be warned, it can have a potent smell, which may linger for a few days.

Advantages of using Tea tree oil

  • Natural and environmentally friendly
  • Easy to access
  • Natural fungicide

Equipment required

  1. 1 x Tea tree oil- there are many types of tree tea oil, ensure the one you use contains “terpinin 4-ol” (no less than 30%) and cineole (no more than 10/15%), and was made from the Australian tree “melaleuca alternifolia”
  2. 1 x Safety gloves
  3. 1 x Sponge, cloth and towel
  4. 1 x Toothbrush & scrubber
  5. 1 x Spray bottle
  6. 1 x Surface cleaner

Instructions

  1. Mix 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil with two cups of water.
  2. Pour the solution into a spray bottle.
  3. Spray the solution directly onto the mould and leave it for an hour. If you don’t have a spray bottle, just thoroughly dampen a disposable towel and apply to affected area.
  4. Use a scrub to brush and remove the debris.
  5. Use your chosen surface cleaner on the affected area and allow to sit for several minutes.
  6. Use a scrub and then sponge to wipe down the surface.
  7. Repeat if necessary, until the mould has been completely removed.

Safety

While tea tree is completely natural and environmentally friendly, it can be toxic if swallowed and cause sensitive skin irritation, so it is important to wear safety gloves and kept away from your mouth.

Prevention

Once your mould colony is treated, it is important to understand that it grew for a reason in the first place. Mould grows due to environment conditions, and in order to prevent the infestation from developing again, some changes may need to be made to your home and/or habits.

Please remember that prevention is the best cure for mould, so please take time to understanding why mould occurs and how you can prevent mould from occurring.