How to Get Rid of Mold: A Comprehensive Guide

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

How to destroy mold in an apartment, which disinfectant to choose and how to remove the remaining odor - everything is short and to the point.

What is mold?

Mold is a visible plaque that forms from microscopic molds. They are ubiquitous: they can grow on any material and in any conditions. Mold appears not only on the surface of objects, but also penetrates the mycelium filaments inside them, so it will not always be easy to get rid of it.

What is it like?

Most often, mold in an apartment is of the following types:

• White mold. Loves flower pots, wood, bread and some foods.
• Green mold. Prefers food.
• Blue. Appears on wood surfaces, giving them a blue tint. May affect furniture, parquet or window frames.
• Black mold. The worst kind of fungus that thrives on everything from wallpaper in the bedroom to tiles in the bathroom.

Why does mold appear?

Mold begins to multiply when it is placed in a suitable environment.

• Humidity. The ideal level is 60-80%. In the house, there can be so much moisture in the bathroom or shower rooms if you have recently been flooded by neighbors or if condensation has appeared on the windows after a change of weather.
• Temperature. Mold survives in both very low and high temperatures. The most favorable range is from 4 to 20 ° C.
• Ventilation. Closed windows, a pile of furniture, heaps of scattered things - and now it is difficult for air to circulate around the room, it is more and more saturated with mold spores, and it becomes easier for the fungus to multiply.

How do you know if mold has already appeared?

At first, mold can be detected by its smell - sharp, damp and specific. In the future, the fungus gives itself out with the corresponding plaque spots.

What do you need to fight mold?

• For your own protection: glasses, gloves, respirator.
• To remove plaque: brush / sponge / scraper / rag / sandpaper, water container, any detergent, garbage bag
• For final treatment: fungus remover, wood varnish.

Before starting treatment of the room, put on glasses, gloves, a respirator, a protective suit will not interfere. When handling affected objects, be careful not to spread mold spores throughout your home.

Inhaling spores can be hazardous to your health. Be sure to use personal protective equipment

How to get rid of mold?

The algorithm is extremely simple:

1. Mechanically clean the affected surface from plaque.
2. Treat with any mold remover.
3. Dry the surface and ventilate the room.
4. Avoid re-forming of mold.

The most important thing is to carefully remove any visible plaque. If the mold is recent, it can be easily removed with a sponge, brush and warm soapy water.

Wallpaper mold can only be successfully removed in the early stages. Later, it is advisable to clean up part of the wall to plaster. Don't hesitate! In literally a year, the fungus is able to infect concrete and brick, passing through the plaster. Use sandpaper for durability and remember to dampen the walls to keep spores from spreading through the air.

If mold appears on the ceiling and strikes the whitewash, clean it off with a scraper or sandpaper. Just wet the surface first.

Bathroom mold loves tile seams and joints. Scrape off the affected sealant, smooth out the seams. After dry, treat with a disinfectant, seal the seams and joints with new sealant and grout.

Dispose of waste remaining after processing immediately in an airtight bag. This will prevent mold from spreading.

Which mold remedy to choose?

The main question: how exactly to treat the surface so that mold does not reappear? We have compiled a list of the most effective remedies, each of which acts on all types of fungus. Choose the one that suits you best.

Bleach

Suitable for tiles, glass, but not for porous materials. Toxic, must be used with caution. Diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 10. Apply with a brush or spray.

Table vinegar

Suitable for all surfaces and materials. Has a smell. May discolor wallpaper or furniture. Apply with a spray bottle or rag. For prophylaxis, the procedure is repeated after a week.

Citric acid or juice

Has the same properties as vinegar, has a pleasant smell. Any material can be processed, it is best suited for tiles. One tablespoon of citric acid is diluted in a glass of water. The solution is applied to the surface with a spray gun or rag.

Hydrogen peroxide

Safe and easy to use. It can be applied on any surface, with care - on dyed and fabrics, so as not to discolor. Apply with a spray bottle or rag. For prophylaxis, the procedure is repeated after a week.

Baking soda

Safe, does not have a pungent odor. Can be applied on any surface. A tablespoon of baking soda is diluted in a glass of water. The surface is treated with a spray gun or rag. After an hour, everything is wiped off with water to avoid streaks.

Essential oils

Tea tree, lavender and rosemary oils have antibacterial properties and a pleasant smell, and are safe. Any surface can be processed. It is enough to add 10–20 drops of oil to a glass of water and apply the solution using a spray bottle. It is better to repeat the procedure every couple of days for prevention.

How to remove mold odor?

If the mold is no longer present, but the unpleasant odor is still felt, use:

• Baking soda. Spread a thin layer over the place where the mold has grown, leave for a few hours, and then remove with a vacuum cleaner.
• Charcoal. Place several containers with coal around the perimeter of the room - in a day or two, the smell will disappear.
• Good ventilation and any scented candles, aerosols, or incense. This will help to finally improve the air in the house.

How to prevent mold from growing again?

• Control room humidity. Insulate the walls and take care of waterproofing. Install an air conditioner that will dry the air. When cooking, turn on the hood, ventilate the apartment more often, especially if you are drying clothes in the bathroom.
• Maintain a stable temperature. Insulated windows and working heating will prevent condensation from forming, which the fungus loves so much.
• Rearrange, disassemble the mezzanine. Free circulating air will prevent mold from developing.
• Pay close attention to potted flowers, especially geraniums and violets. Do not overfill or use untested fertilizers.

The best assistant in detecting and preventing mold in the apartment will be light regular cleaning.