Mold and Natural Products: Why It Happens and How to Prevent It

Yuck, am I right? Who wants to think about mold? Unfortunately, it’s a part of life. It’s everywhere—in the air, in the soil, and sometimes even in your water. And despite how common it is, science still doesn’t know everything about mold. For example, we don’t even have an exact count of how many species exist!

What we do know is that mold needs three things to grow:

  1. Water
  2. Oxygen
  3. Food

Take away one of these elements, and mold can’t thrive. But give it all three? You’ve got yourself a mold party.

Mold and Your Water: What You Might Not Know

Most people think of mold as something that grows on old bread or in damp basements. But did you know it can also be in your water? Mold can lurk in pipes, only sending out tiny fragments when you turn on the tap. That means your drinking or potting water could already have two of the three ingredients mold needs: water and oxygen.

Now, let’s say you fill up a bottle and let it sit for months. If there’s even a tiny amount of organic material in there—boom, mold.

Why Mold Happens in Natural Products

At Draw It Out®, we believe in using the safest ingredients possible. That means no harsh preservatives, no unnecessary chemicals—just natural, effective formulas.

Our products contain natural preservatives derived from citrus plants, and we use just enough to ensure our products stay stable and protected in their original, unmixed form. This keeps our concentrates fresh for over five years without the need for synthetic additives.

But here’s the catch—when you mix our concentrate with water, you’re completing the oxygen + water + food equation. Over time, mold can grow, especially if:

  • The bottle is stored in a dark environment
  • The mixture sits for months on end
  • The water used contains traces of mold from pipes or natural sources

The good news? This is actually a sign that you’re using a truly natural product. Many conventional products are loaded with chemical preservatives—so much so that you could use a bottle your grandpa bought a decade ago. That’s not the case with Draw It Out®, and we think that’s a good thing.

How to Keep Mold Out of Your Bottles

Luckily, there are a few simple tricks to avoid mold growth in your mixed products:

✅ No Darkness – Store your mixed bottles in well-lit areas. Mold loves the dark, so keeping your bottle in a bright place helps slow its growth.

✅ Only Mix What You Need – Once mixed, Draw It Out® is good for weeks. But if you’re storing for the winter, empty out any leftover product in your spray bottles.

✅ Use Distilled Water – If you’re super concerned about mold, mix your product with distilled water. Tap water can carry mold spores from your pipes, but distilled water reduces that risk significantly.

Why We Use DI (Deionized) Water in Our Products

At Draw It Out®, we take every precaution to keep our products safe and effective. That’s why we use deionized (DI) water in our formulations.

DI water is purified to remove minerals, bacteria, and organic materials, ensuring our products start off as clean and stable as possible. This means:

  • No hidden contaminants that could feed mold growth
  • A more stable product for long-term storage
  • Better safety and effectiveness for your horse

The Bottom Line

Mold is an unfortunate reality when working with natural, chemical-free products. But in our opinion, the safety and health benefits of going all-natural far outweigh the risks of their chemical-laden counterparts.

At the end of the day, we’d rather fight a little mold than expose horses—and the people who care for them—to unnecessary chemicals. Wouldn’t you?

Want more info on mold? Check out the CDC’s website or read up on it on Wikipedia.

In the meantime, keep mixing, keep spraying, and keep giving your horse the best natural care possible. That’s what we’re here for.