Here is a great tip for removing mold and mildew from discreet areas of your home. It isn’t the solution for a whole basement, or a damp house with mildew; such mold is caused by a structural problem in the house that needs to be fixed. On the other hand, if a pipe springs a leak, or there is a leak in the roof, you can have a one-time mold problem that needs to be attended to. If you have a serious mold problem, of course (hint: black mold growing), consult an expert.

Step One: First, of course, fix the leak.
Step Two: Add 1 teaspoon of tea tree essential oil to 1 cup of water in a spray bottle. Tea tree oil is known as a broad-spectrum fungicide.
Step Three: Spray the moldy area. Don’t rinse. The strong smell of the tea tree oil will lift in a few days, taking the smell of the mold with it.

–By Annie B. Bond, the best-selling author of Better Basics for the Home, Home Enlightenment, and three other books.