1.17 DIY Mould Preventer Recipe Card

DIY Mould Preventer

A clove oil leave-on spray to stop mould and mildew returning

Treating mould and preventing mould are two different jobs, and for a long time I tried to do both with one bottle. It does not work. A treatment needs an oxidiser strong enough to kill what is already growing. A preventer needs to sit on a clean surface and stay there, quietly making it inhospitable. This is the second job. You use it after the treatment has done its work, on a surface that is already clean, and you keep using it.

Yield 500 mL · Difficulty Beginner · Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 495 mL Distilled Water
• 5 mL Liquid Castile Soap (helps the oil disperse)
• 20–25 drops Clove Bud Essential Oil

Method

1. Add the Liquid Castile Soap and Clove Bud Essential Oil to the spray bottle and swirl to combine.
2. Add the Distilled Water.
3. Seal and shake well to disperse the oil.
4. Shake before each use.
5. Label with product name, date made and all safety warnings.

Equipment

• 500 mL spray bottle
• Measuring jug
• Rubber gloves

How to use

Use on a clean, mould-free or freshly treated surface. Shake well, then mist a light, even coat over grout, tiles, silicone and other hard surfaces. Leave to dry; do not rinse. Reapply weekly, or after heavy steam, to keep mould from coming back. Ventilate while spraying.

Storage

Store in a cool, dark place and shake before use. Make in small batches and use within 6 months.

Safety

Wear gloves and ventilate the area; Clove Bud Essential Oil (eugenol) is a strong skin and mucous-membrane irritant; keep it off skin and eyes. It can stain light-coloured grout or silicone, so test a hidden area first. This is a leave-on preventer, not a mould killer; remove existing mould with the Mould Treatment (1.16) first. Do not add it to the Hydrogen Peroxide treatment, as the peroxide degrades the oil. Keep out of reach of children and pets; Clove Bud Essential Oil is toxic to cats and dogs.

What else is in this recipe

• Clove Bud Essential Oil the active ingredient, and one of the few Essential Oils with genuine published evidence behind its antifungal effect on household mould
• Liquid Castile Soap a small amount acts as a dispersant so the Clove Bud Oil spreads through the water instead of floating on top of it
• Distilled Water mineral-free carrier that leaves no deposit on grout or silicone as it dries

Make it yourself: every ingredient is available at homemadehaven.com.au.

Small Batch • Handcrafted in Australia