5 Effective Ways to Remove Dampness in Your Home
There are some places in your home which, unfortunately, may attract moisture and, subsequently, mold. Low ventilation, continuous contact with water, and inappropriate building materials are some factors that contribute to dampness in your home.
If you don’t deal with this in a timely manner, you may soon see black spots on walls and corners. Sometimes you might even see the paint deteriorating.
This also happens to be the preferred environment of mites, fungi, and bacteria. These can lead to issues such as skin allergies and respiratory problems.
Luckily, there are some natural solutions which help to reduce dampness and improve the appearance of the places affected. This will also help prevent any related health problems.
In the space below, we share the 5 best options which you should definitely try at home.
Read on!
1. Baking soda
Known for its whitening, deodorant, and antibacterial properties, baking soda is one of the best products for fighting moisture in the home.
Its absorbent compounds help to eliminate mold. It also neutralizes odors and and stains on the walls.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons of baking soda (30 g)
- 2 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide (20 ml)
Preparation
- Pour the baking soda into a container and then mix it with the hydrogen peroxide.
How to use it
- Apply the resultant paste on the damp spots and scrub them with a brush to remove.
- Use this at least 2 or 3 times a week.
2. Sea salt
Due to its absorbent capacity, sea salt is great for eliminating dampness that may affect enclosed spaces.
Its compounds disinfect, fight odors, and reduce the formation of mold spots.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons of sea salt (30 g)
- 5 drops of lavender oil
Preparation
- Put the sea salt into small bags or on small dishes and add the lavender oil.
How to use it
- Put the bags or dishes in enclosed spaces, such as cupboards.
- Leave them inside for 2 or 3 weeks and then change them.
3. Borax
Borax is a cleaning product that has become increasing popular in recent years. It’s less aggressive than bleach and, thanks to its anti-fungal properties, it may help remove mold that builds up on walls and tiles at home.
Read Also: 8 Ways to Use Borax at Home
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of borax (10 g)
- 5 cups of water (1,250 ml)
Preparation
- Put on some gloves before handling the borax and then dilute it in the cups of water.
How to use it
- Spray the mixture on the areas you wish to clean, let it act for 30 or 40 minutes, and then remove the excess with an absorbent cloth.
- Repeat this at least once a week.
4. White vinegar
White vinegar is a multi-purpose, ecological, and antibacterial product that we can use for many tasks in the home.
Its natural acids help stop the growth of mold on the wall and also neutralize the unpleasant smell of dampness.
It can be used on bathtubs, tiles, toilets and many other humid spaces.
Ingredients
- ½ cup of white vinegar (125 ml)
- ¼ cup of water (62 ml)
Preparation
- Dilute the white vinegar in the water and store the solution in a spray bottle.
How to use it
- Shake the product before use and spray it on the moisture spots in your home.
- Let it air to dry or remove the excess with a cloth.
- If the stains are difficult, apply the vinegar undiluted.
- Use it as part of your general cleaning routine, at least 3 times a week.
5. Tea tree oil against dampness
Tea tree oil has become a natural cleaning solution, not only because it kills bacteria, but because it slows the growth of mold and helps protect surfaces.
It’s ideal for cleaning damp areas of the home such as the bathroom, although it can also be used for cabinets, windows and doors.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of tea tree oil (30 g)
- 1 cup of water (250 ml)
Preparation
- Dilute the tea tree oil in a cup of water.
- Put the mixture in a spray bottle for easier use.
How to use it
- Spray the solution on the tiles, the tub and any other damp places.
- Leave it to act for a couple of minutes and remove the excess with a sponge or cloth.
- Repeat this 2 or 3 times a week.
Have you got dampness seeping into your walls, and a bad smell in the house? If you can see mold growing in your home, try some of the solutions above and get rid of it before it causes problems.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
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- Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre. (Consulta 2018). BÓRAX. Online [https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/B%C3%B3rax].
- Family Doctor. (Consulta 2018). ÁCAROS DEL POLVO EN EL HOGAR. Online [https://es.familydoctor.org/acaros-del-polvo-en-el-hogar/?adfree=true].