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Cleaning expert's simple solution to get rid of mould goes viral on TikTok
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A cleaning expert has shared her simple homemade cleaning solution to aid Aussies in the fight against mould.
Anita Birges, who was Big Brother’s first ever "intruder" on the reality show back in 2001, is now known as the "Queen of Decluttering" and runs her own business, Mise en Place.
On Sunday, Ms Birges blew the minds of thousands of Aussies when she revealed her secret recipe for a natural solution to help clean and prevent mould.
"We've just returned home from our weekend away and I knew that having the house closed up [...] was going to be the perfect breeding ground for mould," explained Ms Birges in a video posted on TikTok.
After checking the "usual suspects" – including the front door and window sills – the decluttering queen noticed mould growing on the underside of her window rollerblind.
"I walked in and I could see it from the reflection. I could see the damp sitting at the bottom of the windowsill and rose up the blinds," she said in the video.
Homemade mould cleaning solution revealed
Ms Birges understands the mould had to be "cleaned right away" to prevent it from spreading further up the blind, which is why she created her own homemade mould cleaning solution.
"I made up a solution of half isopropyl, half to half water," she explained, while holding the solution.
Isopropyl alcohol, known as isopropanol, is the most common and widely used disinfectant within pharmaceutics, hospitals, and medical device manufacturing.
However, the presence of water is a crucial factor in destroying or inhibiting the growth of mould isopropyl alcohol, as it acts as a catalyst.
Adding the 2:1 ratio of isopropyl to water in a spray bottle, Ms Birges then sprays the mould-affected area with the solution and leaves it for 10 minutes before wiping it clean with a microfibre cloth.
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How to prevent mould from returning
However, cleaning the mould is only half the battle. The decluttering expert then revealed her homemade mould prevention spray to ensure it doesn't return.
Ms Birges' mould prevention solution contains 10 drops of clove oil, 10 drops of tea tree oil and 100ml of white vinegar in a spray bottle.
"Spraying this along the blind is going to stop the mould from coming back," she concluded.
Ms Birges combines the natural essential oil solution in a glass bottle rather than plastic, as raw essential oils can damage plastic.
Unsurprisingly, the cleaning hack video captured the attention of thousands of Aussies, amassing 31,400 views in less than a day.
The mould cleaning hack comes amid the battle against mould and damp by NSW and Queensland residents following months of heavy rain.
According to NSW Health, Aussies can also reduce mould in their homes by maintaining proper ventilation, reducing humidity and controlling moisture by repairing leaks and drying water-damaged materials.
If you see mould in your home, it's best to treat it right away, ventilate well and use dehumidifiers to remove moisture from the air.
Best dehumidifiers on the market
Hyundai Dehumidifier and 4.1kW Smart Portable Air Conditioner, $529
This three-in-one dehumidifier, air-conditioner and fan can be controlled via your smartphone. It's ideal for small rooms and has easy glide wheels so you can move the unit around easily. It collects up to 1.5litres of water in an hour and is a refrigerant humidifier.
Ausclimate NWT Large 35L, $599
This refrigerant dehumidifier is CHOICE recommended. It can extract up to 35L of moisture in a day and has full electronic controls with LCD display. There's a continuous draining feature, and it can also act as a clothes dryer.
Laover Dehumidifier for Home, $100.94
This small dehumidifier works sightly differently from conventional machines; it features thermo-electric technology which can pull up to 450ml of water from the air every day. It has two modes; a powerful strength to reduce humidity quickly, and a sleep mode where it runs quietly and it gently removes moisture from the air. It's small, which means it fits well in cupboards or bathrooms, and it has seven different LED lights so you can make a feature of it.
Russell Hobbs 2 Litre Dehumidifier, $271.62
This refrigerant dehumidifier can remove up to 10litres of water in 24 hours, and is great in medium-sized spaces such as bedrooms and utility rooms. It has an LED display, electronic controls, a continuous drain function and an integrated handle, so it's easy to move from room to room.
Breville Smart Dry Dehumidifier, $348
This compact machine is suitable for small rooms and can extract up to 10L a day of moisture. It has a special laundry mode to dry clothes, and you can put it on a timer that can be controlled with your phone. It also comes with a 2-stage air filtration which filters for dust and pet dander, and odours and smoke.
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