Five Smart Housekeeping Ways to Use Tea Tree Oil
By Annie B. Bond, author of Better Basics for the Home (Three Rivers
Press, 1999).
Australian tea tree oil is a broad spectrum germicide, fungicide,
and bacteriacide.

The essential oil known as “tea tree oil” comes from the melaleuca
tree, a shrub/tree that has needle-like leaves. There are 100
varieties of melaleuca, but for the purposes of this discussion we
are speaking of Australian tea tree oil, or melaleuca alternifolia.

Tea tree oil has many uses for housekeeping. You can prove to
yourself how well it works to kill mold and mildew with this simple
test: Put 2 teaspoons of Australian tea tree oil in a spray bottle
with two cups of water. Don’t rinse. Spray the mixture on something
musty. Let the smell dissipate (it will take a few days). The smell
of mold and must will be gone, too, never to return as long as the
source of moisture has been removed.

Here are five smart ways to use Australian tea tree oil at home:

1. General Tea Tree Oil Spray
As mentioned above, combine 2 teaspoons of Australian tea tree oil
in 2 cups of water in a spray bottle. Shake to blend. Spray on mold
and don’t rinse. The smell will dissipate in a few days.

2. Tea Tree Oil Grout Spray
Using the same formula as in #1, spray grout to repel mold and
mildew. While this formula won’t take away the mold discoloration,
it will kill the mold.

3. Musty Mold Remover
The must will be removed from anything using the above formula. Just
don’t rinse.

4. Household Antiseptic Spray
Use the above formula to spray areas that need antiseptic attention,
such as after someone has vomited.

5. Add 1/2 teaspoon tea tree oil to your laundry for towels and
other fabric prone to getting moldy.