News

Sep 01, 2023

Banish black mould with woman's 'natural' cleaning hack using household item

The fungus can lead to health problems if left untreated. Get the latest top

The fungus can lead to health problems if left untreated.

Get the latest top news stories sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter

We have more newsletters

Winter is a time when chilly temperatures can dampen homes, making them a haven for mould.

While the problem is common among thousands of British households, the spores produce irritants and can spark allergic reactions like coughing, red eyes, wheezing, sneezing and even asthma attacks in sufferers.

The fungus can appear on walls in the home where condensation appears, which is caused when warm moist air makes contact with cold surfaces. While preventing dampness is the best way to keep mould at bay, there is still the question of how to get rid of the dark fuzzy spots on walls.

There are countless sprays on the market which claim to combat the problem, but they can be costly and laden with chemicals. Luckily, one cleaning enthusiast has shared how to "naturally remove black mould" using a common household ingredient - white vinegar.

Home hack enthusiast Carolina McCauley has shared the simple solution in a TikTok video. The 13 second clip simply advises to put some undiluted white vinegar in a spray bottle and use to treat the affected areas.

According to Healthline, the liquid has a moderately acidic pH of 2.5 that can halt the growth of a wide range of fungi. It has also been hailed as a universal cleaner that can take on other problems like limescale and blocked drains.

Viewers were quick to praise the video. "Me saving this knowing i’ll need it when i go to uni next year," exclaimed one fan.

Others offered their own advice on how to make the most of the tip. One commenter advised: "Apparently you should leave it for 60 minutes to give it time to really kill it."

When one viewer asked if it "really works" another responded by saying: "It does. BUT if it's heavier than that, after cleaning it off, spray and leave."

If you want to ensure that the mould won't return, another highly recommended natural product to use is clove oil, which has antifungal properties.

Other ways which can keep your home dry include salt and cat litter, as well as number of moisture absorbing house plants.

Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond. Sign up to our daily newsletter here.