As a natural and safe household cleaner, baking soda can work against mold and is therefore a preferred alternative to chemical cleaning products. In addition, baking soda can also be used to remove mold in any home. Unlike other mold control products with harsh chemicals, baking soda is mild, with a pH of 8.1. This makes the home remedy harmless to your family and pets. To learn more about its effects, here are some useful information and cleaning methods.
The benefits of baking soda against mold for the household
Baking powder, also known as sodium bicarbonate or baking soda, is a leavening agent commonly used in cooking and baking. Basically, it is a salt that is found in nature in a white, crystalline form. However, the marketed form is usually a fine, white powder. The most important thing about baking powder is that it produces carbon dioxide, making it one of the best substances for rising dough and baked goods such as bread, cakes, waffles and cookies. In addition to these it has acidifying propertiesBaking soda has many other domestic usesand health benefits. Now the question is, what can baking soda do against mold and can you use it to prevent mold?
How baking soda works on mold infestation
Sodium bicarbonate is hygroscopic, meaning it can absorb water from surrounding objects. This makes them drier, which can prevent mold from forming again. Additionally, baking soda can be useful for stopping mold growth in its early stages before it becomes a source of concern. By simply spreading some of the powder on vulnerable surfaces, you reduce the water supply that mold can receive. This alone can drastically slow their growth and reproduction.
Now, what if mold is already present and it's too late to prevent it? Can you get rid of mold with baking soda? The simple answer is yes, because baking soda can kill mold by exposing it to a harsh environment in which it cannot survive. As a rule of thumb, most types of mold prefer a slightly acidic environment. This means that mushrooms are happiest when the pH is between 4 and 7. In contrast, baking soda is slightly alkaline and has a pH between 8 and 9. Applying baking soda to a fungal colony puts the mold in an environment that is too alkaline for it, making it harder for it to survive and reproduce. This makes baking soda an excellent solution against mold.
Can baking soda work against all types of mold?
While most types of mold prefer low pH levels, there are some that can survive and adapt to different levels of acidity. Depending on what type of mold you're dealing with, baking soda probably isn't the only solution you need to keep your home mold-free. For example, walls and surfaces may also contain some types of mold that can survive alkaline environments. Therefore, it is unlikely that baking soda will work against mold in such cases. Additionally, there are approximately 20% of mold species that are resistant to baking soda.
The stuff also tends to be more effective on non-porous surfaces where it has easy access to the surface mold roots. In contrast, baking soda is less effective on a porous material such as drywall or concrete because it cannot penetrate deep enough into the pores and reach the mold colonies growing beneath the surface.
The result is obvious: after cleaning a porous surface, you may think that the job is done and that there is no more mold. But shortly afterwards, mold spots will appear again. These are not new mold colonies growing. These are simply the deep mold spores that baking soda couldn't reach while cleaning. They remained alive and active and continued to multiply until they reappeared on the surface.
So the bottom line is that baking soda can kill mold, but it's not always the best antidote. There are some cases where you may need stronger cleaning products to completely remove mold.
Easy mold removal with baking soda
In addition to killing mold, baking soda also neutralizes bad odors, so it can also eliminate the smell of mold in your home. In addition, baking soda also absorbs moisture to keep mold away.
The combination of vinegar and baking soda against mold is also a common cleaning method. You can use this accordingly to eliminate a mold problem, as acetic acid also works against other types of mold.
How to use baking soda to combat mold
Using baking soda to kill mold is easy. All you need to do is mix some baking soda with water and then apply the solution to the moldy area. Typically, you'll need one tablespoon of baking soda for every cup of water. Maintain this ratio no matter how much water you plan to use. Put both substances in a spray bottle and shake the solution until you are sure that the powder has dissolved well in the water.
After applying the mixture to the moldy area, leave it there overnight and then use a wet brush or towel to wipe down the surface and remove any remaining residue. For stubborn mold stains, you may need to prepare a baking soda paste.
To do this you will again need a 50/50 solution of baking soda and water. Continue mixing the two substances until you get a cohesive paste. Now spread the paste on the mold colony and rub it in with a brush. Leave it there for 24-48 hours and then wipe the paste off with a clean towel.
More tips for cleaning with baking soda
Another thing to keep in mind when using baking soda for mold is that one intervention may not be enough to eliminate all mold infestation. Often you have to repeat the above processes several times before you get a satisfactory result. You can also use a cloth instead of a spray bottle. Simply dip a cloth in water, add 1/4 tablespoon of baking soda and scrub the moldy area. Rinse it off and repeat the process if necessary.
