Get Rid of Mould without Using Harsh Chemicals

There’s no better way of keeping your home warm and cosy during the winter months, than by keeping the doors and windows closed. Trouble is, that lack of ventilation creates the perfect environment for moulds, mildew and fungi to grow and flourish. They’re woolly, they’re powdery and they’re musty.

They’re also microscopic microorganisms, living things that thrive in damp rooms, poorly ventilated closets and behind walls. They love your bathroom, kitchen, pantry and laundry room, and, generally speaking, all they need is food, moisture, humidity and warmth. Most household cleaners combat these microorganisms by trying to poison them, but there’s a more efficient – and more organic – solution.

Mould growth can be spotted – or smelt – fairly easily, due to its musty odour. Visible patches of mould spores are another clear sign that you need to open some windows, let some air in, and do some cleaning. 

Builders Warehouse shares tips…

How probiotics work 

Most microorganisms are completely harmless, with some being beneficial to humans. Trouble is, the bad ones (the bacteria that cause bad odours or illness) have given the rest a bad reputation.

The ‘baddies’ and ‘goodies’ are constantly at war with each other, and when you come in with your poisons, you end up killing both sides at the same time. When you use probiotics, you’re basically sending reinforcements to help the ‘goodies’.

Bad odours, like that musty smell that’s building up in your house, are caused by toxin-producing pathogens growing on organic material. When you use probiotic cleaners, you’re out-competing those pathogens, and neutralising the odour-causing compounds.

Probio cleaners

Probiotic cleaners are all-natural and contain powerful microbes and metabolites which remove mould, grease and grime, without the need for hazardous chemicals. 

Because they’re completely natural and biodegradable, and because they contain no hazardous ingredients, these cleaners are harmless to humans, animals and plants.

The microbes found in these products are classified as Generally Regarded As Safe (GRAS) by bodies like the United States Food and Drug Administration. Many of the microbes found in these cleaners are also found in human foodstuffs. They’re also non-corrosive, so it’s safe to use them on plastic, fibreglass or concrete tanks and surfaces. 

How to use it 

Some products like Probio Mould Away have spray nozzles, so they’re simple to use: just find the mouldy spot, spray and let the microbes work their magic.

The cleaning concentrates, meanwhile, need to be diluted, in a 1:5 (25 capfuls in 500 ml of water) solution for greasy or grimy surfaces, or 1:20 (five capfuls in 500 ml of water) solution for cleaning windows, mirrors, bathroom ceramics and so on.

Because it’s all-natural, there’s no need to wipe the surfaces down afterwards.

Where to use it

Your home has a handful of bacterial hotspots, where mould and mildew gather and grow.