Mould is one of the most common problems in homes and commercial properties in the UK. Living or working in an environment that is heavily infested by mould for a prolonged period of time, can have a detrimental effect on your health. Which is why dealing with this well-known bacteria effectively is very important. You can do it in different ways. We have outlined just a few, and after reading the pros and cons of each, we leave it to you to decide which is best.
The Strong Way
The worst mould infestations have been historically treated with bleach. Some professional cleaners still use this method, especially in very severe cases. Bleach is one of the strongest chemicals available to buy freely, but by no means, does this make it safe. It will indeed kill the mould and rid you of its nasty smell and effects. The issue with using bleach for dealing with this bacteria is that the chemical can cause damage on the treated surface and human tissue, especially if used improperly. Allergies to sodium hypochlorite (the scientific name of bleach) are not uncommon. It is also not recommended for people with asthma or any other respiratory conditions to be exposed to an environment that has recently been treated with this chemical. It’s not safe for some pets too.
The Grandma Way
One of the oldest cleaning recipes for dealing with mould passed down many generations is a solution made of vinegar and water. One part of vinegar is mixed with one part of water and placed in a spray bottle. Then, you can apply that mixture to any mouldy area and let it develop for an hour. This recipe works with milder cases of mould and mildew and it doesn’t involve any heavy chemicals, so it is a natural and safe way to get your space clean and disinfected. The problem here is that acetic acid (vinegar) is not so strong. Being diluted in water, it has even less power to deal with stubborn infestations. One more con for this method would be the strong smell that will linger at home for quite some time after treatment.
The Modern Way
Save yourself the trouble of keeping the windows open for long after using vinegar to kill mould or to protect yourself from the fumes released after bleach treatment. Alternatively, you can use the modern way for cleaning fungi effectively – a ready mixed mould cleaner from the supermarket! This commercial product will be scented with a pleasant aroma and will contain less concentrated bleach. It will work mostly fine in removal of the mould and mildew. However, cleaning products sold in shops or those most professional cleaners use, still contain dangerous chemicals. You must keep the area ventilated during the treatment and for at least 20 minutes after you are done. Those sprays are also air and water pollutants, so even if you don’t get affected immediately health-wise, the environment will.
The Eco Way
The only fully effective and at the same time completely natural and eco-friendly way to clean mould is with steam. Professional steam cleaning machines reach up to 170ºC, which guarantees the death of more than 99% of all known bacteria and viruses. It can be used on a variety of surfaces without major risks for damage. Certain machines have been developed in a way to minimise drying time which helps the prevention of mould formation after the treatment.
Which way would you choose to deal with this unpleasant but very common fungus?