One Bottle, One Brush, and Mold Is Gone: Here’s How

Mold.
Ugh, even the word gives me the ick.

You see a little smudge in the corner of the shower or under the window, and suddenly you’re spiraling—“Is this the start of a full-blown science experiment?”
Been there. More than once, honestly.

I’ve sprayed, scrubbed, lit candles to hide the smell—you name it. And every time, the mold would come back like it owned the place. Until one day, my Nana (who never needed more than a bottle of vinegar and a good stare-down to clean anything) handed me the secret weapon.

Hydrogen peroxide. That’s it.

Not bleach. Not some overpriced mold spray from aisle 14. Just that little brown bottle most of us keep shoved in the back of the medicine cabinet. You know the one.

Nana’s Mold-Busting Method

This isn’t a 14-step Pinterest project. There’s no chanting involved, no weird ingredients. It’s so simple, it almost feels silly. But I swear—it works.

Here’s what you need:

• 3% hydrogen peroxide (standard pharmacy stuff)

• A spray bottle

• An old toothbrush (not your good one)

• A cloth or paper towel

• Gloves if your skin’s sensitive (or if you’re just fancy)

Here’s What You Do:

1. Get some air going.
Open a window, flip on a fan—whatever you’ve got. It doesn’t have to be a wind tunnel, but fresh air helps. Mold hates it.

2. Pour the hydrogen peroxide into the spray bottle.
No need to water it down or shake it like a fancy cocktail. Just pour it in and you’re good to go.

3. Spray the heck out of the moldy spot.
Be generous. If the mold’s being bold, you be bolder. Make sure it’s soaked.

4. Walk away for about 10 minutes.
This is the best part. While the peroxide’s fizzing and bubbling away, you can make a cup of coffee or yell at your kids to pick up their socks.

5. Come back and scrub—gently.
That toothbrush? Just give the moldy area a little rub. Most of the gunk will lift off like it was never there. For stubborn spots, give it a bit more elbow grease. But honestly, the peroxide already did most of the work for you.

6. Wipe it down.
Use a cloth or paper towel to get rid of the leftovers. If you’re feeling extra, you can give it one more spray and wipe again. Your call.

7. Dry it. Completely.
Mold is basically moisture’s evil cousin. So if you leave the area damp, it’ll sneak right back in. I like to put a fan on it for a bit—or just dry it off with a towel and call it good.

Why It Actually Works

I’m not a scientist, but here’s what I know: when peroxide hits mold, it fizzes like a soda can that got shook up in the car. That’s the oxygen kicking in, breaking apart the mold’s gross little structure and lifting it right off the surface.

It doesn’t just cover the smell. It kills the source. And it does it without making you feel like you need to leave the house for three hours afterward.

Some Friendly Tips (From Someone Who’s Messed This Up Before)

• Don’t skip the drying part. Really. Dry is the enemy of mold. Damp corners = repeat offenders.

• Avoid using peroxide on fabrics or colored surfaces. It might bleach them a bit. Learned that one the hard way on a navy blue bath mat.

• Do a little routine check every couple weeks. Peek behind the toilet. Glance at the shower corners. If you see something, hit it with a quick spritz before it turns into a situation.

• Label your spray bottle. I forgot once and sprayed my hair with peroxide thinking it was water. Not a great look.

Final Thoughts (Or: Why I’ll Never Go Back)

Look, I know there’s a million cleaning “hacks” floating around out there, and some of them are just a waste of time. But this one? This one’s gold. And cheap. And easy. And most importantly—it actually works.

So next time you spot that fuzzy little patch in the corner of your bathroom and feel your blood pressure start to rise, take a breath. Grab your peroxide. Channel your inner Nana. And take care of it.

Simple as that.