I have battled mold in several homes. In one of my apartments, the mould from the walls even damaged the furniture. What now? Throw out the new nightstands and living room sofa? I looked for ways to save everything. Preferably without chemicals, since our little daughter lived in the apartment with us. Simple things work great: cloves and white vinegar.

The results are great.

Just mix cloves with white vinegar and you can say goodbye to mould. Cloves contain 70 to 90% eugenol. This is a substance with antifungal and bactericidal properties that is released into the vinegar and contributes to its effectiveness. This makes the solution one of the most effective products for cleaning porous surfaces like wood.

The substance in question has been used for decades in the pharmaceutical and dental industries. So why not use this powerful natural substance at home to fight mould? On porous surfaces, where fungi and bacteria settle in the microcracks and pores of the material, eugenol penetrates the structures and works more effectively than conventional cleaning agents. These only act on the surface layer.

━━ ( Source: Towfiqu barbhuiya /  Unsplash+ )

Vinegar is a miracle

Michael Golubev, CEO of Mold Busters, told Homes & Gardens, “Vinegar is a versatile, eco-friendly and effective solution for preventing and treating mold in the home. Its natural properties make it a safer alternative to harsh chemicals and it is suitable for regular use to maintain a mould-free environment.”

Adding clove oil can also help clean and remove mold due to its anti-mold properties, specifically its eugenol content. Eugenol is a natural phenolic compound.

Other benefits of vinegar and clove oil

It’s not just mold that can be fought with this miracle liquid. You can also disinfect the surface of the kitchen countertop with it and remove the sticky surface. The advantage is that it neutralizes strong odors and also repels household pests like flies or ants. Clove vinegar can also be used to polish glass and mirrors. In addition, the solution will help you remove hard water stains and is also handy for refreshing stale trash cans. It can also be used to soften the fibres of laundry when washing or to freshen upholstery.

How to prepare the solution

All you need are 10 whole cloves and two cups of white distilled vinegar. Then prepare one glass container and a spray bottle. The cloves need to be crushed, ideally in a mortar and pestle, or blended. This will release the internal aromatic oils. Now it’s time to pour the vinegar into the glass jar and add the crushed cloves. Then close the jar and leave to infuse in a dark cupboard for 24 hours. This will allow the eugenol to release into the liquid.

The next day, strain the liquid and pour it into a spray bottle. The tonic can then be sprayed directly onto surfaces. Then just wipe with a clean cloth in a circular motion. You can use the spray regularly when cleaning. As a bonus, your home will smell spicy and everything around you will be clean, shiny and mould-free.