Is Cinnamon The Secret To Banishing Mold From Your Home?

Mold is the worst four-letter word for most homeowners. Finding mold in your home can be a shocking and scary experience, especially for those who have conditions that can be triggered by it, such as allergies or asthma. Once mold has taken hold, it can be incredibly difficult to eradicate. Your best bet, therefore, is to prevent mold before it starts. While practicing good habits like proper ventilation within the home is essential, there are additional preventative measures you can take. One of those oft-touted home remedies to prevent mold is the use of cinnamon. But can such a simple fix really banish mold from your home? The truth is more complicated.

If you're interested in using non-toxic means to protect your home from mold growth, utilizing cinnamon for its natural fungicidal properties makes perfect sense. Consider the warm, delicious scent it adds to your home as a bonus. Come along for a deep dive into cinnamon and its potential to prevent mold from taking up residence inside your home.

Cinnamon contains unique compounds including cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic acid, and cinnamate. These compounds naturally have fungicidal and anti-bacterial properties. In a 2021 study published in Molecules, for example, cinnamon leaf oil was tested alongside 48 other essential oils as a means of protecting fruit from the growth of Botrytis cinerea fungi. It was the most effective oil in the study.

While our research turned up no specific studies addressing cinnamon and household mold like Penicillium, Cladosporium, and Aspergillus, it could stand to reason that the strong anti-fungal properties of cinnamon will also apply to these fungi. Experts like Mold Busters CEO Michael Golubev seem to think so. "Cinnamon, known for its strong antifungal properties, can be an effective natural remedy against certain types of mold," Golubev told Homes & Gardens. The key is understanding that cinnamon is only effective at helping to prevent new mold infestations from occurring; it is not powerful enough to be relied upon to remove mold that already exists in your home. 

To be used for their natural fungicidal properties, cinnamon compounds need to be more concentrated than what is available in a cinnamon stick or powder. To harness the power of cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic acid, and cinnamate, you'll need to acquire cinnamon leaf essential oil. Currently, you can purchase a 1-ounce bottle from Brooklyn Botany for $6.49 on Amazon. Once you have your oil, following the steps for mold prevention is easy.

Simply mix a few drops of cinnamon leaf essential oil with water in a spray bottle. Use your solution to spray the areas in your home where mold could potentially develop. You should be checking areas where moisture is more common, like a leaky ceiling or a damp bathroom. Try regularly spraying your shower curtains, sinks, and grout lines to start. Continue to use exhaust fans and good home hygiene practices, and you should be able to move mold off of your list of worries.