Can You Use Clay That Has Mold
You can also remove the mold by slicing it or wedgeing it in. Potters claim that adding a thin layer of mold to their clay makes it more malleable and hence more useful in the firing process. Getting rid of the mold isnt the goal for these people. As soon as they put it in the clay, they start manufacturing pots.
Why Does Mold Form On Terracotta
That green residue that you see on the outer surface of your new terracotta pots is indeed mold.
Why does mold form on terracotta?
The material is sort of a hotbed for mold considering how porous it is.
If youre using your terracotta pots for outdoor plants, then the pots are regularly exposed to water each time you replenish your plants.
The pot will absorb the lions share of the water, keeping the pores full and moist.
Mold, as a fungus, prefers dark, humid, and wet environments. The inside of your terracotta pot meets all three criteria, and the outside of the pot aint so bad either, so mold can propagate and flourish.
What Is The White Stuff Growing On My Plant
Fungus spores produce white mold on plants, which appears like fuzzy material. Powdery mildew, commonly known as spores, quickly grows on the leaves and stems of the plants, forming a white fuzz. Both indoor and outdoor plants can be affected by this white fuzzy mold, which thrives in warm, moist, and humid environments.
Read Also: How To Clean Mold Of Bathroom Ceiling
How Does Vinegar Affect Clay
Vinegars acidity breaks down the clay a little bit and makes it stick to the spoon. A few artists choose to use vinegar straight from the bottle, or to substitute it for water in the making of a jointing slip in clay. All of these techniques work together to produce a joint that is more durable than one made just of water or slip.
Scrub Persistent White Spots With Baking Soda
If your pots are still caked with white spots, take a moment to give them some extra love. Mix a little baking soda with some water to make a paste. Then, apply this paste to the white spots, and scrub them using an old toothbrush. Keep at this until they go away. Then, let your pots soak a little more.
Recommended Reading: How Much Does It Cost To Treat Black Mold
Control The Humidity In The Air
Humidity in the air has a small part to play in this white crust as well. When the air surrounding your clay pots is very dry, any moisture in the pot itself will evaporate faster.
If it evaporates before reaching the surface, any minerals dissolved in the water will get deposited inside the pot where you cant see them.
On the other hand, when theres already a lot of moisture in the air, water traveling through the clays pores will evaporate much slower. A slower evaporation rate means that mineral-rich water will reach the outside of the pot, and thats where it will deposit any salts it was carrying.
Also read:Complete Guide to Use a Humidifier for Houseplants
How To Clean Mold Off Terracotta Pots
Answer
Recommended Reading: Does Black Mold Have An Odor
Do Clay Pots Retain Moisture
The primary reason for mold growth is moisture retention.
Clay pots retain moisture because clay is a microporous soil that gains flexibility when water is added. Its porosity allows water to seep through, and the water then evaporates or flows out flowy from the surface.
Apart from clays natural ability to retain water, mold and mildew growth are encouraged by poor drainage in the pot, increased humidity in the environment, and a lack of proper ventilation.
When all these factors combine, it can lead to a humid, organic environment perfect for mildew and mold growth.
To Clean Your Pots Follow These Steps:
Use a stiff brush to remove all the dried soil and debris from both the inside and outside of the pot.
Fill a sink or large container with warm water and dish soap and add one cup of vinegar. Wash the pots as you would wash your dishes with a scrubby brush to thoroughly remove all the debris and staining.
You can either do this step in the kitchen sink or out in the garden with a bucket and a hose.
If youre using the sink, please make sure to brush off all the debris so that it doesnt go down the drain .
After your pots are clean, rinse them well and leave them in the sun to dry completely.
They are now ready for planting!
Recommended Reading: How To Reduce Mold In Home
Will All Terracotta Pots Turn White
You should note that machine-made terracotta pots accumulate this salt buildup more slowly because the clays internal structure is more compact with fewer holes.
In contrast, pottery fired at a lower temperature may experience more efflorescence. This means that hand-crafted or artisan terracotta pots are more likely to display this white crust.
Once again, some people really like this look, but if its not your style, you should look for manufactured clay pots.
Why Should You Clean Terracotta Pots
Some people really like the look of crusty old terracotta pots, and dont want to clean them. Unfortunately, using dirty pots over and over again can be very unhealthy for your plants.
Dirty pots can harbor pests and diseases, which is definitely not something you want. Cleaning and disinfecting plant pots is a habit you should get into no matter what type they are.
If youre wondering how to clean clay pots with plants in them, well if a plant has been in the same terracotta pot for so long that the pot has buildup on it, then its time to repot that plant and give it some fresh soil anyway.
So take this opportunity to repot your neglected plants, and clean their pots too.
Oh, and if you like the look of crusty terracotta plant pots, then you can paint them to look that way, and still have clean pots. Learn all about painting terracotta pots here.
Alright, off my soapbox. Lets get busy cleaning some terracotta pots!
You May Like: How To Remove Toxic Black Mold
Is White Mold Dangerous
White mold, as well as other varieties of mold, can cause health issues. To avoid health hazards and structural damage, its critical to get rid of any white mold as soon as possible. Allergies, respiratory infections, eye irritations, dizziness and nausea are just a few of the symptoms that can be caused by white mold.
How To Clean Terracotta Pots Step By Step
You dont need many things for this, which is nice. And you probably already have all of this stuff already. Heres what youll need..
Supplies Needed:
- Utility tub or a bucket or sink
Step 1: Remove any loose dirt from the pot. Use your pot brush to clean as much dirt as you can off of the clay pot. In my case, I also needed to brush cobwebs and other debris off my pots .
You dont need to be super fussy here, cause you dont need to get all the dirt off. Just brush off the loose dirt, and any large chunks of soil that might be stuck to the pot. The rest will come off in the next steps.
Step 2: Soak clay pots in vinegar/water solution.
Ideally, you would use 1 cup of white vinegar for every 3-4 cups of water. The less vinegar you use in the water, the longer youll need to soak the pots.
Completely submerge the clay pots in the solution. You may hear a sizzling sounds or see bubbles.
Dont worry, thats a combination of the vinegar doing its job at dissolving the crusty buildup, and the clay pot absorbing the water.
I start by soaking crusty clay pots for 20-30 minutes. If the buildup wipes or scrubs off easily, theyre done.
Otherwise, Ill soak the pots longer. Keep checking until all the residue is easy to remove. You may need to use your pot brush to scrub some of the residue off.
For really tough crusty buildup, you can soak the pot in pure vinegar .
This will help to disinfect the pots and clean them.
Thats it, youre done! See, I told you it was easy.
Also Check: Can Mold Make You Dizzy
Do Plants Grow Better In Clay Pots
Plants thrive in clay pots because they have a nutrient-rich habitat. Clays porosity allows moisture and air to pass through the pots walls. Plastic is preferable for other gardeners who want to wait for their plants to show signs of withering. Clay pots are ideal for plants that require a well-drained, dry soil, such as cactus.
How About Green Algae How To Get Rid Of It
If you notice something green growing on the outside of your terracotta pots, its probably algae. Algae grows as a thin, dark green film. It tends to grow on pots in shady areas that dont dry out as fast.
Algae on the outside of a pot will not hurt the plant inside, but you can remove it if you dont like how it looks. You can scrape algae off easily with a stiff nylon brush and soapy water.
Spray a diluted bleach solution to the outside of the pot to deter algae from growing for a while. This effect wears off when the bleach gets washed away over time.
To prevent algae from growing in the future, try moving the pot to a sunnier location or use a surface sealer on the terracotta.
Recommended Reading: How To Clean Mold From Shower Head
Cleaning Method Three Baking
If you dont want to make use of peroxide or bleach, try making use of heat.
Again, start by removing as much loose dirt as you can from your container.
Now place it in an oven. Place some aluminum foil at the bottom of your oven to protect it from any excess dirt falling off.
Set the oven heat to 220 degrees Fahrenheit and leave the planter to bake for a minimum of one hour. This will kill any damaging growth.
End the process by switching the oven off and setting the pot to cool off. This takes time but is crucial to preventing burn wounds.
Deep Cleaning Your Terra Cotta Pot
In cases where the mold growth is too severe, removing it only from the walls of your terra cotta pot may not be sufficient. If the mold has spread to the areas that you cannot reach, it will just come back soon after you wipe it off the walls of your pot.
The materials you will need for this process are water, bleach, a container that can accommodate your terra cotta pot, a sponge or brush, and a pair of latex, vinyl, or nitrile gloves.
Also Check: How Does Mold Affect Your Skin
White Mold On Terracotta Pots
Upon inspection, you realize that the pots are covered in white mold. It has a chunky, fuzzy texture, especially on the side or the rim of the pot.
Many forms of mold can have a white and fuzzy appearance, and many forms begin with this appearance before changing colour and texture completely. If you do have white mold on your Terracotta pots, the most common forms are aspergillus, Cladosporium, and Penicillium.
What Is The White Stuff On Terracotta Pots
Have you noticed a buildup of a white, powdery substance on your garden pots? This is very common and nothing to worry about. That white powder is a buildup of minerals and salts leftover from fertilizers and hard water. The buildup will not harm plants, but it can detract from the look of your pots. The best way to get rid of it is by brushing the pot with a stiff nylon brush.
You will need to also wash your pots thoroughly, as brushing them may get rid of the mineral buildup but the pots could still contain traces of disease or pest eggs, so make sure to take the time to give your pots a good wash.
Recommended Reading: How To Get Rid Of Mold In Shower Caulk
How Do You Get Mold Off Terracotta Pots
Pour 3% hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle and spray the outside of your pots, where the mold is located.Let it sit for a few minutes. You will notice hydrogen peroxide sizzling as its interacting with the mold. Wash the outside of the pots with water to physically remove as much of the mold as you can.
How To Use Sunlight To Remove Mold From Terracotta Pots
We saved what is by far the easiest method for last.
Sunlight is a natural enemy of mold since its not wet or damp. By dragging your terracotta pot out into the driveway or backyard where it can receive direct sun exposure, the mold on the pot will die.
To keep your plants from scorching, its a good idea to take them out.
Recommended Reading: How To Clean Mold Out Of House
Can I Leave Mold On Terracotta Pots Is It Harmful
Mold is harmful to humans when inhaled. Therefore to ensure the safety of you and your household occupants, we recommend chemically removing the mold from your terracotta pots.
Like mushrooms, mold produces spores that can become airborne when disturbed. It is their reproduction method so they can spread to other damp areas of the house. While they are traveling through the air, we can inhale the spores.
The inhaled spores can trigger symptoms like stuffy noses, irritated eyes, and skin problems. In severe cases, the mold can sometimes travel into our lungs and produce an infection.
Note the mold will not harm your plants.
Do Terracotta Pots Cause Mold
Mold readily grows in terracotta pots as the pots provide the perfect environment for it to grow. Terracotta absorbs moisture from the soil, the pores are moist almost all the time so they provide excellent conditions for the fungus to grow.
You May Like: How To Get Mold Smell Out Of Basement
Preventing Mold On Terracotta
A great way to prevent mildew from growing is to provide direct sun to the pots/plants that can handle it. Exposure to direct sun will kill the mold. Increased air circulation will also help. I also like to occasionally treat the outside of all my of terracotta pots with hydrogen peroxide.
This way I know Ill be safe for a while.
Yours Truly,
Leave Your Clay Pots Under Direct Sunlight
Bright, direct sunlight kills mold easily and quickly, so when you have a little bit of sun, you should set your pots outside. Sunlight will kill the mold immediately.
If you live in an apartment with a balcony, you can dry your clay pots on the balcony and ensure they have access to enough sunlight. But if your apartment doesnt come with a balcony, you can always put your clay pots next to a window where sunlight can easily get through.
Also Check: How To Know If Black Mold
How To Get Rid Of Mold On Clay 7 Ways To Clean Moldy Clay
Affiliate DisclaimerAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It helps me keep the website going. Thank you for your support.
Finding that your pottery clay has gone moldy is very common. Clay needs to be kept moist to stay workable and it contains organic matter. These are perfect conditions for the growth of mold. So, what can you do if you open up your bag of clay and its growing green and black mold? Here are a few tips on how to get rid of mold on clay.
Some ways to get rid of mold on clay include adding bleach, hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, Dettol, or Epsom salts to your clay. Whichever substance you choose to add, you need to add the right quantities at the right concentration. Alternatively, you can slice the mold off, or wedge it in.
Some potters swear that a little mold on their clay makes it more plastic and easier to use. For them, getting rid of the mold is not the objective. They simply wedge it into the clay and start making pots.
But, there are good reasons for wanting to get rid of mold on clay. The first is simply that it grosses you out. Being turned off the clay by the mold is a legitimate reason for wanting to be rid of it. The other reason some people want to get rid of mold is that they may be allergic to the spores. If thats the case, then yes, getting rid of mold on clay makes absolute sense.
