HouseMainteance

HOUSE MAINTENANCE: Mold

don't use bleach

How to Get Rid of Mold with Vinegar

Vinegar is a natural alternative to bleach or other strong chemicals.  It is not toxic and is won’t harm the environment.
Recipe
Distilled white vinegar (straight, not diluted with water)
Surfaces
Any surface, but use sparingly on pourous surfaces
Application
Spray or apply with a rag to the mold, not too heavily.  Wait 10-15 minutes, then spray or apply again and scrub with a brush, rag, or other somewhat abrasive tool, being careful not to scratch or destroy the material that you are trying to protect.  Wipe clean with a damp rag.
Cautions
Strong odor, but will dissipate.
How it works
Vinegar is acidic, with a ph of about 2.5.  The acid deforms the shape of the proteins on the mold, which breaks down the mold’s structure and kills it.
Advantages
Natural, non-toxic cleaner.   When not completely rinsed away, the low ph of vinegar helps prevent mold from returning.
Disadvantages
Not as strong as bleach or commercial products.

How to Get Rid of Mold with Baking Soda

Baking Soda is a convenient solution to mold problems.  It is inexpensive, helps prevent future mold growth, and deodorizes.
RecipeBaking Soda -Detergent Solution:  1/2 cup baking soda, 1 cup water, 1 Tbsp mild liquid detergent
Baking soda-Water Solution: ¼ to ½ Tbsp of baking soda to a spray bottle of water
Surfaces
Any surface, but use sparingly on pourous surfaces if it can’t dry out completely.  Works best on non-pourous surfaces like tile and vinyl.
Application
Spray area thoroughly and wipe with rag or scrub with appropriate semi-abrasive tool.  Wipe away.  Spray lightly again with the baking soda-water solution,and let dry thoroughly, the solution will naturally discourage new mold growth.
Cautions
This is a low-risk substance.  No strong fumes or odors, non-toxic, and safe for the environment.
How it works
Baking soda has a ph of about 8, which is too high for mold to thrive.  The high ph not only kills mold, but discourages new mold from coming back.
Advantages
No toxic fumes, environmentally safe, deodorizes, inexpensive.
Disadvantages
Not as strong as bleach, commercial products, or even some other natural cleaners.

How to Remove Mold with Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen Peroxide has multiple benefits in addition to mold removal.  It also kill viruses and bacteria.  It also penetrates the surface of material better than bleach, which makes it good for materials like fabric and wood.
How it works
Hydrogen peroxide reacts by releasing oxygen at a rapid rate, which in turn oxidizes the surface of the mold and decomposes it.
Advantages
Hydrogen Peroxide is also an antiviral, antibacterial, non-toxic, and is in-expensive and leaves no residue or fumes.  Penetrates the surface of material better than bleach.
Disadvantages
Scientific studies show that bleach is a more powerful disinfectant and is used more than hydrogen peroxide in hospital cleaners, so while it kills mold, viruses, and bacteria, it may not do as effectively as bleach.

How to Kill Mold with Borax

Borax is the un-sung hero of mold removal.  It is natural, inexpensive, and doesn’t produce toxic fumes.  It is also effective at killing germs.
Recipe
1 Cup of Borax to 1 Gallon of water
Surfaces
Safe to use on all materials, both porous and nonpourous.  If you are unsure about using borax, just test it out in a small area first.
Application
Apply the solution to the offending area, be careful not to use too much on a porous material that absorbs water, this will saturate the material and can cause other moisture problems. Scrub area with rag or somewhat abrasive material, such as a scrub brush until mold is removed.  The level of abrasive material depends on the surface you are working with.  For example, you might use a rag for leather or furniture, and a scrub brush for concrete or grout.  Wipe area clean and dry the area.  No need to rinse the area because borax inhibits any new growth. This is how to get rid of mold permanently, or at least delay its reappearance for a longer time.
Cautions
Don’t eat it, otherwise it is safe.
How it works
Borox has a ph of about 9.3.  Since most molds thrive in a ph environment range of 3 to 7, Borax creates an environment that kills the mold.  Also, since some common molds even grow in more acidic environments (below ph 3), borax can be more effective that acidic solutions, such as vinegar.
Advantages
No toxic fumes or chemicals, it cleans and kills bacteria/germs, and is inexpensive.
DisadvantagesNo significant drawbacks.  Commercial cleaners may be more concentrated and therefore work more effectively on tougher jobs.

UnBlock Sink

1. Make sure you come prepared

Before you start to tackle your blocked sink, you'll need:

• protective glasses and gloves
• a dish cloth
• some baking soda and white vinegar
• some soda crystals
• a washing-up bowl or a bucket
• a plunger

2. Clean out the plughole

First, you'll need to unscrew the plug. Next, have a good look in the plughole and clean out any bits of debris or grime that might be stuck in the plughole.

3. Seal up the plughole

Make sure the plughole is covered in water so you'll have an airtight seal for the plunger.

4. Block up the overflow

Use the dish cloth to plug up the overflow – again, making sure you've got an airtight seal.

5. Bring the plunger out

Place the plunger over the plughole so that it covers it, and then gently push the plunger up and down. You might need to hold the dish cloth tightly against the overflow to ensure a good seal.

6. Add a little baking soda and vinegar

Hopefully, a little plunging has managed to clear the blocked sink. But if it hasn't, you can try pouring a small amount of baking soda down the plughole, followed by a cup of white vinegar.

7. Flush through with hot water

You should be able to see or hear some fizzing as the baking soda and vinegar work to break down debris and grime. After a few minutes, you can simply wash the mixture through the drain with some hot water from the tap.

8. Try using some soda crystals

Alternatively, you can dissolve half a packet of soda crystals into some boiling water, and then pour this solution down the plughole to help remove any fats, grease or soap residues that might have built up.

9. Find the U-bend

If you're really unlucky, and you've got a particularly stubborn blocked sink, you can try to remove and clean out the U-bend. Just look for the first bend in the pipe underneath the sink.

10. Get a bucket ready

Place a washing-up bowl or a bucket underneath the U-bend, ready to catch any water that spills out.

11. Loosen the U-bend

Carefully unscrew the plastic fitting where the U-bend joins the bottom of the sink. Once you see water start to drip out, stop unscrewing and let all of the water drain into the bucket.

12. Inspect the U-bend

Once the water stops draining out, you can remove the U-bend completely and take a look inside. Pull out any objects or built-up debris that you can find, and then reattach the clean U-bend to the bottom of the sink. If you've followed these steps carefully, you should now know how to unblock a sink yourself. But if you're still having problems, or you're not comfortable following these steps, just get in touch with one of our engineers – they'll be more than happy to come and take a look at the blocked sink for you.