Article #1 - A moldy situation

Wifey had been contributing articles in her Young Living oil group which is started by Faith.

Over here at The Ongies, hubby would like to share the articles that wifey had written for the group in the past 4 months.

From today onwards on monthly basis, hubby will be sharing the article wifey had written.

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Despite wifey heavy workload, hubby dare say that such smart wifey is hard to come by. There are things that everyone often overlook, especially the household material.

This article is well written, to share the indepth information that most of us did not know.

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A Moldy Situation




What thrives in a warm, moist and dark environment? If you thought of mushrooms, you are not that far off. They are actually relatives from the fungi family and we will be taking a closer look at mold; its detrimental impact on our health and how to get rid of it effectively.

Local weather in Singapore is extremely suited for mold growth, especially during monsoon months, and they can be found outdoors or indoors, more familiarly in places like a damp bathroom, on bags in storage, air con filters or even within carpets.




In early years’ science classes, we have learnt about how spores are carried by wind and dispersed to other locations where they reproduce. Mold spores spread in a similar fashion and there should be 2 areas of concern. Firstly, the health implication of airborne mold spores, and secondly, the adverse effects when the mold spores combine with moisture start growing indoors.

In particular, the young, elderly and people with weakened respiratory and immune systems tend to be more vulnerable to upper respiratory tract irritation caused by airborne mold spores, and common issues include sneezing, nasal congestion, cough, irritable throat and even shortness of breath. While indoor mold may not present itself as an immediate threat initially, with continual exposure and risks of accidental contact or food contamination, problems such as allergies, skin irritation, and in very rare cases toxicity may surface.

If mold already exists, fret not; they can be removed with some elbow grease. Personally I would lean towards natural and safer alternatives than using harsh chemical products like bleach.

Although bleach is widely used as an agent to remove molds commercially, due to its easy accessibility and low cost, I would prefer not to use it at all. Are you aware that the chemical fumes in bleach can be hazardous, especially in small spaces like the bathroom? In addition, the corrosive nature of bleach can damage furniture (if mold grows on leather sofas for instance) and if not thoroughly removed, there can be side effects from vomiting to stomach irritation if traces of it were accidentally ingested by our young ones.
Here are some safer ways to kill mold naturally:
  1. Vinegar – The smell may not appeal to some, but at least vinegar is a natural acid and its fumes are not toxic. Use it in a spray bottle undiluted or apply some directly onto the moldy areas and let it soak for 30mins or longer before scrubbing the mold off. The smell lingers for many hours and mold problems may still return after some time.
     
  2. Essential oils – You may be familiar with Young Living essential oils (YLEO) and there are actually numerous blends with antifungal properties that are extremely useful for eradicating mold. To make into a spray, use 2-4 drops of YLEO to 30ml of water. Spray onto mold, leave it for a few hours and scrub off.
  • Thieves - This is a popular blend containing clove, lemon, cinnamon, eucalyptus radiata and rosemary. It was university tested and found to be highly effective in supporting the immune system and good health.
  • Lavender - Potent against certain strains of mold, fungi and mainly used for skin and nail infections.
  • Melaleuca (Alternifolia) - Commonly known as tea tree oil; it kills all types of molds and has a wide range of uses.
  • Oregano and Thyme are also very strong oils that can be used if you have them instead.


Picture 1: “Before” - Mold growth under the sink counter in bathroom


Picture 2: “After" - First attempt at cleaning up the mold with the Young Living’s essential oils. Sprayed a mixture of 30ml water, 4 drops of Thieves essential oil and 2 drops of Oregano. Soaked for 30mins, and scrubbed off lightly with a rough bristle brush, followed by wiping off with a damp cloth.  Mold is evidently reduced within a 30min window period.

It can be a pesky task to eliminate mold completely and safely. As cliché as it sounds, prevention is sometimes better than cure. Preventive measures typically revolve around educating yourself and family members on how to control excessive moisture at home. Here are some simple best practices:
  • Do a thorough check for leakages around the home, pay attention to ceilings or walls for water seepage  
  • Air badly ventilated cabinets occasionally
  • Keeping bathroom supplies and toiletries on higher grounds rather than below the sink counter
  • Improving fresh air circulation in the home
We only want the best for our loved ones and this small investment in quality products, and time spent on reading and education, will make a positive difference in the entire family’s overall wellness.

About Veron:



Leading a non-superhero, mundane but hectic life in Singapore, Veron is a market researcher by day. There are no family pets; instead Veron has 2 adorable preschooler daughters, Cait & Claire. The girls are the reason why Veron started paying more attention to food ingredient labels, using organic and healthier products, and choosing Young Living essential oils for the well-being of the entire family; it was an effort at a lifestyle improvement. Love to read, cook and bake, does not exercise as much as needed, enjoys a sense of humor and always happy to share – these are what describes Veron. Feel free to reach her at emailveron@gmail.com.

If you would like to start your Young Living journey with Veron, please click here.

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