According to United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), molds can grow on any organic matter like wood, clothes, paper, leather, etc. Molds are microscopic fungi [1]. It can cause allergic reactions like runny nose, or skin irritation, sneezing, asthma attacks, etc. If molds grow in a poorly ventilated room then it can lead to a strong musty odor causing a lot of irritation and discomfort.
Essential oils are gaining wide popularity because of its anti-mold properties that can help get rid off molds. Essential oils are plant extracts and there are certain essential oils that possess anti-fungal properties and can help kill or eliminate fungal growths like molds, mold spores, black mold, etc.
What Are The Best Essential Oils To Kill Mold? | Essential Oils For Mold
Following is the list of essential oils that kills mold:
1. Tea Tree Essential Oil
Tea tree oil is a powerful and one of the popular essential oils that is widely used for skin and health conditions. Tea tree oil is rich in antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Diffusing tea tree oil in room can help reduce the growth of airborne molds.
This is one of the primary oils suggested for mold. Tea tree essential oil contains alpha terpinol and terpene-4-ol that helps in killing mold spores.
Summary
Study suggests [2] that evaporating tea tree oil helps in killing airborne molds and help improve indoor air quality.
2. Clove Essential Oil
Clove oil is one of the ancient oils that is being used mainly because of its antifungal properties. Using clove oil can help get rid of mold. Clove essential oil is great for dealing with mold exposure and fungal growths.
Summary
Study suggests [3] that clove oil is rich in eugenol active compound that has antimicrobial and antifungal properties that help against molds.
3. Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Eucalyptus oil is rich in antimicrobial and antibacterial properties that can help purify air by killing air molds. A study proves that eucalyptus oil contains antifungal properties that helps get rid off molds and mold spores.
With its high concentration of the compound eucalyptol, eucalyptus essential oil is one of the strongest antifungal essential oils. Studies show eucalyptus oil can inhibit the growth of many fungus strains and effectively treat topical fungal infections. The potent antifungal properties make eucalyptus oil an excellent natural remedy for issues like athlete’s foot, ringworm, and nail fungus.
Summary
Study [4] states that eucalyptus oil posses antifungal properties that can be used against molds.
4. Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender oil has antibacterial and antiviral properties that helps kill germs in the air and purify air. It has active compounds like linalyl acetate and linalool that helps purify air. It also posses antifungal properties that can help eliminate molds.
Must Read: Amazing Ways To Use Lavender Essential Oil
5. Thyme Essential Oil
Thyme essential oil is one of the effective essential oils against molds. Thyme oil posses an active compound namely thymol that has antifungal properties. Using thyme oil can help in reducing the growth of mold generation.
Summary
Study suggests [5] thyme essential oil affects molds and other airborne bacteria.
6. Cinnamon Essential Oil
Cinnamon oil is also one of the ancient oils that is being used for its medicinal qualities. This is one of the strongest oils for use in battling molds.
Summary
According to study [6] it has been found that cinnamon bark essential oil is one of the most effective essential oils to get rid of molds. It can also help get rid of molds on food products.
7. Oregano Essential Oil
Oregano essential oil is also an important essential oil that can be used to get rid of molds. Though, it has been found out that this oil works better on food mold and not on building molds.
Summary
Study states [7] that use of oregano essential oil helps in protecting the food against aflatoxin contamination caused by one aspergillus mold.
8. Lemon Essential Oil
Lemon oil has antifungal properties that helps break down mold spores. Lemon oil is one of the most effective citrus oils that help in fighting with different types of molds. It also restricts the growth of mold at different places.
Summary
Study suggests [8] lemon oil reflects antifungal activity against mold.
9. Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint oil is rich in menthol component which helps in resisting fungus. Vaporizing peppermint oil helps in killing fungi. This oil can also help in treating different fungal infections.
Summary
Study suggest [9] peppermint oil reflects antifungal activities that helps in killing mold.
You can chose from any of the oils listed above to get rid of mold exposure or any sort of dangerous mold.
How To Use Essential Oils To Remove Mold?
Direct Application
You can use undiluted essential oil or you can dilute the essential oil with carrier oils and apply directly on the mold. Then with the help of a cloth wipe the spores in a downward movement. This will ensure that the spores does not fly. Then clean the surface as well.
Diffusing Essential Oils
It is recommended that one should use nebulizing diffusers to get rid of mold. Molds grow on wet areas. Nebulizing diffusers does not use waters and thus will not spray water. It is advised to use undiluted essential oil for diffusion as it will help kill molds faster.
DIY Recipes
Recipe #1 – DIY Essential Oil Spray To Kill Molds
Ingredients
- Glass spray bottle
- White Vinegar- 1 cup
- 20 drops of tea tree essential oil
- 10 drops of clove oil
- 5 drops of thyme oil
Directions
- Take the spray bottle and add all the essential oils in it.
- Add 1 cup white vinegar.
- Shake the bottle thoroughly to mix all the ingredients.
- Store in a cool and dark place.
This essential oil blend will help you keep molds at bay. This blend can be used to kill airborne mold spores. This blend can also be used to prevent the growth of mold.
Recipe #2 – DIY Essential Oil Recipe Against Mold Or Mildew
Ingredients
- 20 drops of lemon oil
- 10 drops of lavender oil
- 10 drops pf peppermint oil
- 5 drops of thyme oil
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup vinegar
- Baking soda
Directions
- Take baking soda and slowly add water in it to make a thin paste.
- Apply this baking soda and water paste on mold and let it set for 20 minutes.
- Take a glass spray bottle and add vinegar, water, and essential oils in it.
- Shake the bottle to mix all the ingredients properly.
- Spray this mixture on the applied baking soda and water mixture and leave it for more 20 minutes.
- Wear gloves and with the help of cleaning brush start scrubbing the mold spot area.
- Again spray the essential oil mixture and then wipe clean the area with the help of a soft cloth.
These four essential oils have antifungal properties that will help in eliminating the molds and also reduces the generation of mold.
Recipe #3 – DIY Essential Oil Blend Diffuser For Mold
Ingredients
- 5 drops of eucalyptus essential oil
- 5 drops lemon oil
- 5 drops peppermint oil
- 3 drops cinnamon oil
- 3 drops clove oil
- Coconut oil
- 10 ml glass bottle
Directions
- Take the glass bottle and add all the essential oils in it.
- Fill the remaining gap in the bottle with coconut oil.
- Shake the bottle well to mix all the ingredients.
- Store the bottle in cool and dark place.
- Add few drops of this blend in your diffuser.
This is one of the most effective blends if you are struggling with molds. The above combination of essential oils work effectively on molds.
Recipe #4 – DIY Essential Oil Blend For Molds
Ingredients
- 5 drops tea tree oil
- 5 drops thyme oil
- 5 drops lavender oil
- 5 drops lemon oil
- 5 drops clove oil
- 5 drops eucalyptus oil
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup isopropyl alcohol
- Glass spray bottle
Directions
- Add water in a spray bottle.
- Take the glass spray bottle and add all the essential oils and isopropyl alcohol in it.
- Shake the bottle well to mix all the ingredients.
- Spray this mixture on the mold spots and let it sit for 15 minutes.
- Take a soft cloth and wipe clean mold on the surface.
You can use any of the above blends of essential oils to deal with mold and mildew. It is advised to use high-quality essential oils as it helps treat small mold issues as well.
Conclusion
Essential oils are aromatic compounds that are found in different parts of the plant. Essential oils are natural oils that can help stop molds and also prevents mold spores. Essential oils have best inhibitory effect against mold growing on food and wet surfaces. Frequent use of essential oils restrict mold growth.
Though if you are not able to get rid off molds with essential oils you should call a mold professional for toxic mold problems and mold removal. The above article has included some DIY recipes that you can use to treat different kinds of mold. You can use single essential oil or blends of oil onto the mold and reduce mold spore count.
Source:
- What is the difference between Mold and Mildew? https://www.epa.gov/mold/what-difference-between-mold-and-mildew.
- Atmospheric Environment. Volume 41, Issue 6, February 2007, Pages 1230-1236. The effects of evaporating essential oils on indoor air quality. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1352231006009939.
- C Gupta, A Garg, R Uniyal, S Gupta. (2008). Comparison Of Antimicrobial Activities Of Clove Oil & Its Extract On Some Food Borne Microbes. http://ispub.com/IJMB/7/1/13649.
- Tiffany Schroder, Sharyn Gaskin, Kirstin Ross and Harriet Whileya. (2018). Antifungal activity of essential oils against fungi isolated from air. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6060867/.
- N. Paster,B. J. Juven,E. Shaaya,M. Menasherov,R. Nitzan,H. Weisslowicz,U. Ravid. (1990). Inhibitory effect of oregano and thyme essential oils on moulds and foodborne bacteria. https://sfamjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1472-765X.1990.tb00130.x.
- M.Valero, M.C.Salmerón. Volume 85, Issues 1–2, 15 August 2003, Pages 73-81. Antibacterial activity of 11 essential oils against Bacillus cereus in tyndallized carrot broth. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168160502004841.
- Renata H Esper, Edlayne Gonçalez, Marcia O M Marques, Roberto C Felicio , Joana D Felicio. (2014). Potential of essential oils for protection of grains contaminated by aflatoxin produced by Aspergillus flavus. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24926289/.
- Food Control. Volume 19, Issue 12, December 2008, Pages 1130-1138. Antifungal activity of lemon (Citrus lemon L.), mandarin (Citrus reticulata L.), grapefruit (Citrus paradisi L.) and orange (Citrus sinensis L.) essential oils. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0956713507002629.
- Amr E. Edris,Eman S. Farrag. (2003). Antifungal activity of peppermint and sweet basil essential oils and their major aroma constituents on some plant pathogenic fungi from the vapor phase. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/food.200390021.