There are few things worse to have in your home than mold. Besides the gross factor of having a living fungus growing inside your home, there are the health risks attached to mold. Mold has been known to cause respiratory problems and aggravate symptoms for people who have allergies or asthma, it has even been linked to depression. Luckily, ridding your home of mold can be done by using natural household items.

Of course, the easiest way of preventing mold from being in your home is taking steps to prevent mold from forming in the first place. Simple things like, cleaning up after something is spilled, letting in fresh air and sunlight by opening a window or door, and keeping fabrics dry will help prevent mold from forming. Since mold grows in warm, humid areas, places like your basement and bathroom are usually the spots you will find mold. You can combat against the growth of mold in these places by purchasing a dehumidifier, fixing any leaky pipes, and replacing shower curtains if they have mildew on them.

If you happen to already have mold, however, here are a few natural ways to rid yourself of the fugus:

“Vinegar”- What I’ve found to be the best natural all around cleaner, can actually kill mold as well. Simply pour some white vinegar into a spray bottle, spray onto the area with mold, and let it sit. After letting the vinegar sit for a few minutes, just wipe off and you’re good.

“Vodka”- As much as it pains me to even suggest wasting booze, vodka does work well on mold. The good news is, the cheaper vodka seems to work better, so you won’t have to waste that bottle of Grey Goose after all. Pour the vodka into a spray bottle, (just like the vinegar) spray on the mold and wait. After letting the vodka work for awhile, wipe down the area with a rag or sponge and the mold should be gone.

If you happen to have a ton of mold in your home, these remedies may not do the trick. You may need to call in a professional mold removal company instead.