The growth of mould in an attic is the result of excess moisture. Faulty insulation or roof construction can lead to leaks, and a lack of adequate ventilation can cause moisture to build up. Whatever the cause of the mold in your attic, it is absolutely essential that you take control of the situation immediately. The longer you wait, the more the structure of your home will deteriorate. Mold repellents often kill mold with aggressive chemicals like sodium hypochlorite, but you can kill mold using more natural methods.

Protecting yourself from mold in the attic

1 Cover yourself with safety equipment, including a breathing mask, safety goggles, rubber gloves and a hooded protective suit. An attic is a very confined space, and if your mold happens to be a toxigenic variety, you want to take all possible measures to limit your exposure.

2 Empty your attic. Place items in thick garbage bags, seal the bags tightly and take them outside to dry. Examine the insulation along your rafters. If the insulation has been affected by mould, remove it in thick garbage bags and replace it with new insulation after completing your mold decontamination effort.

3 Seal all openings such as vents and windows with plastic sheeting. With your confined attic, you can start drying the mold. Working with active mold will only spread the fungus, but you can neutralize the spores by drying them. For best results, use fans, a radiator or a dehumidifier.

Prepare the mixture to be sprayed against mold

4 Mix 1 teaspoon of white vinegar or tea tree oil with every cup of water you need to attack your mold colony. Tea tree oil and white vinegar are both completely natural and safe for wood, but have strong fungicide properties. Mix your vinegar or oil solution in a spray bottle and spray the mold in your attic. For heavy mold work, white vinegar may not be strong enough. In these cases, try mixing 1 part hydrogen peroxide with 2 parts water. Spray it and wait an hour. Peroxide is also safe and natural.

5 Rub the attic with a firm metal brush and dry the area one last time. Remove any plastic sheets and repair any leaks or vulnerabilities to prevent new mold from appearing in the future.