Easy to appear, difficult to get rid of - the hallmark of black mold. This is a species of higher fungi of the mold family.
They live on the walls of residential and non-residential premises, in corners, at the joints of slabs. They pose a threat to life for humans and animals.
Provokes severe diseases of the lungs and bronchi. This is especially true for people with weakened immune systems, those prone to respiratory diseases, and children.
It reproduces by spores, by air, and is difficult to remove. How to remove mold? There are a number of methods that can cope with the problem, both in the initial stage and in advanced cases.
Traditional recipes for use at home
How to remove black mold from walls in rooms?
If a problem arises, you can start an immediate fight with improvised means available in every home.
Folk remedies have a number of advantages:
- Efficiency . Especially in the initial stages of mold growth.
- Cheap . The cost of each product is within 100 rubles.
- Available in every home . Every housewife has at least one of the remedies listed below.
White
Apply the concentrate (undiluted) to the surface affected by mold in any convenient way - sponge, brush. Leave the composition until completely dry. If one treatment is not enough, repeat .
Pay close attention to particularly contaminated areas. Apply white to unaffected parts to prevent spread.
It is mandatory to use protective rubberized gloves and a respirator . The room must be well ventilated, since chlorine vapors are hazardous to health. The method is suitable for the initial stage of infection.
How to get rid of mold on a wall using white:
Soda and washing powder
For one glass of boiling water (in a ratio of 1:2) dilute soda and washing powder . Treat the infected surface with the prepared hot mixture using a brush.
Should be left until completely dry. The method has proven itself well in the fight against mold at the joints of tiles and baseboards. This composition is recommended for infections with fungal spores in the initial stages.
Vinegar
Apply undiluted with a soft brush or sponge. Leave until completely dry.
If the problem is not solved during the first application, repeat the treatment until the mold completely disappears from the wall. Be sure to use protective equipment.
The method is suitable for processing:
- walls,
- stone,
- tiles
Hydrogen peroxide
How to remove at home using peroxide?
Spray the bottle undiluted onto the wall.- Clean the affected area with a stiff brush or washcloth.
- Leave for 15-20 minutes. for impact.
- Next, dilute with 9% acetic acid in a 1:1 ratio and repeat the treatment of the desired area.
- Wait until completely dry.
The method is convenient because it does not require rinsing and leaves no traces . Use only on hard surfaces.
Tea tree oil
Treatment is carried out using a sprayer. The proportion of the composition is 1 liter. Dilute 25 ml of warm water. tea tree oil.
For minor lesions, spot application undiluted with a cotton swab or brush is acceptable.
The tea tree fights in the initial stages of infection. The method requires rinsing with water as it can stain the surface.
After removal, the area where the mold was must be treated with any chemical composition against black mold so that the fungus does not return to this place.
Borax
Prepare a composition of 1 part borax (200g) and 4 liters. water . Apply to a previously cleaned surface.
Using a stiff brush, rub the mixture into the wall. Blot the treated area dry with a cloth. Leave until completely dry.
If the mold does not disappear, repeat the procedure. The method is suitable for closed and poorly ventilated rooms . The use of gloves is mandatory.
Copper sulfate
Copper sulfate is also used in the fight against household black mold. The drug should be applied in concentrated form to the wall using a sponge or soft brush. Leave until completely dry. This is an aggressive product and often does not require reapplication .
It is better not to use this method for rooms under renovation, since vitriol leaves indelible marks on the surface being cleaned.
What to do if no means help
If you cannot remove mold with household products, you need to check the house for potential sources of infection. Mold reproduces by spores that are invisible to the human eye. They accumulate under the plank floors, in the cracks between the walls, behind old furniture. Mold needs moisture to grow rapidly, so in favorable conditions - behind the kitchen sink, on the shower curtain - it grows in 1-2 days.
The fight against “invincible” mold in the bathroom or kitchen should be comprehensive. Possible procedure:
- Call specialists to assess the situation. If necessary, a sanitary and epidemiological service employee will take samples to the laboratory for analysis.
- Prepare the apartment for complete disinfection. A large mold infestation requires drastic measures. It is ineffective to look for single sources if the fungus has permeated the entire house. A total treatment will kill living spores and create a chemical barrier for mold.
- Carry out the treatment yourself, or contact your local sanitary and epidemiological service. For quick results, it is recommended to use a cold fog treatment method with potent disinfectants (universal), or hot steam treatment with an antifungal emulsion (local).
- Eliminate external factors that may cause recurrence of the fungus. Boil laundry, replace furniture that cannot be restored.
When dealing with mold, the most important factor is time. Strong household chemicals can be used to clean walls even from many years of dark stains that distort their appearance. But if you miss the period when mold moves from favorable areas into the cracks between the wallpaper and other shelters, you will have to call a team of sanitary and epidemiological station workers. Otherwise, even after the most thorough cleaning, fungal spores will remain in the air, and minimal changes in the local atmosphere will trigger a relapse.
How to remove fungus in an apartment using specialized means
Depending on the area affected and the complexity of the surface being treated, the market offers professional methods of combating black mold. The most popular are imported products.
Senezh Effo
A good option for porous materials, tiles and other hard surfaces . The liquid is economical in consumption.
Does not leave stains, self-neutralizes, suitable for processing food containers. On delicate materials it is recommended to dilute the product in a 1:1 ratio.
In other cases, the drug is applied to the area affected by the fungus using a sponge or brush. On vertical surfaces, processing is carried out from bottom to top.
The action of Senezh Effo takes place in the first 2-3 hours . Next, dry the surface naturally. If necessary, the treatment is repeated until the problem is completely eliminated.
If the treated area is designated for painting, the manufacturer recommends washing off the composition after 24 hours or waiting 10 days and painting.
Depending on the volume the price is as follows:
- 5 kg - about 500 rubles;
- 10 kg – approximately 900 rub.
Fongifluid (ALPA)
Suitable for use on external and internal areas infected with fungal spores. Nominal volume 2 l. Economical to use.
Suitable for porous and smooth surfaces. When used on paint and varnish surfaces, it increases their resistance to moisture. Leaves no traces. It does not have a pungent odor, which provides an advantage for use in enclosed spaces .
Before application, the surface is prepared. The areas are cleaned with a spatula, a metal brush, and, if necessary, washed with water.
Instructions:
apply the composition using a roller or brush,- leave for activation for 4-6 days,
- after the allotted time, remove any remaining product with a stiff brush, rinse off the surface with water,
- Allow the treated area to dry.
The manufacturer guarantees protection against fungus for 2 years.
Available in quantities:
- 0.5 l. - about 500 rub.,
- 2 l. - about 830 rubles,
- 5 l. - approximately 1650 rub.
Homeenpoisto (TIKKURILA)
The most aggressive of the drugs presented . Processing should be carried out only in a respirator, goggles and rubber gloves.
Not for use on glass, aluminum surfaces or other delicate areas. Strictly incompatible with detergents.
Before treating unpainted wood surfaces, prime with any antiseptic. The Finnish manufacturer recommends Valtti Pohjuste.
Next, dilute the drug concentrate with water 1:3 and apply for 30 minutes. sponge or brush . If the result is not satisfactory, treatment is not stopped until the fungus completely disappears.
All this time, the surface is kept moist using the product. Upon completion of application, the surface is thoroughly washed with water from top to bottom. The price will be for 1 liter. about 550 rub.
Reasons for appearance
Of course, such a harmful type of microorganism may not appear everywhere. Favorable conditions are necessary for their reproduction. Your home and you are at risk if:
- no ventilation in the room;
- there is condensation arising from temperature fluctuations;
- high degree of humidity;
- irregular (very rare) ventilation;
- poor heating quality (frozen walls);
- the presence of leaks in sewerage or heating systems;
- leaky joints between walls;
- leaks from the upper floors.
The main impetus for the appearance of black mold is a prolonged increase in humidity.
To effectively combat the fungus, it is important to find out and eliminate the cause of its appearance.
Contacting cleaning companies
If you couldn’t overcome the problem on your own and the black “guest” visits the premises again, you should turn to professionals .
Mechanical cleaning with cleaners varies from 60 (ATEKS-M company) to 500 rubles. per m2 (Moscow City Sanitary Service).
At the same time, the minimum treatment area for which specialists will visit will be 5 m2 + the price for applying the chemical composition from 350 rubles. per m2.
Getting rid of mold with the help of specialists costs an average of 3 thousand. rub.
All available innovative technologies will be used . Namely – diagnostics, surface cleaning, quartzing the room from spores. If necessary and desired, clients are given recommendations regarding maintaining the stated effect.
You should entrust the work only to trusted cleaning companies. It’s worth checking recommendations and reading reviews. This will save you from disappointment in the final result and loss of money.
Compliance with safety regulations
Both mold and chemicals can be absorbed through the air into your respiratory tract. To prevent this from happening, you must follow safety rules. You should also not allow certain substances to come into contact with your skin, such as copper sulfate.
Safety regulations:
- Be sure to use rubber gloves to protect the skin of your hands and nails
- a mask, goggles and a respirator will protect the face and respiratory organs from harmful fumes of household chemicals and fungal spores that fly in the air
- a full-body robe or suit must be worn when treating surfaces at height, for example, when applying the product to the ceiling
Prevention
It is recommended to take the following preventive measures against the appearance of fungus:
Regularly check air ducts, hoods, and ventilation.- Make it a rule to remove excess moisture immediately, and not wait “until it dries on its own.”
- Ventilate and heat living spaces.
- Monitor the level of humidity in the house, do not create “greenhouse conditions” - high levels of moisture and heat.
- Once a week, treat suspected areas of mold with special chemicals or traditional methods. Especially if measures were taken to get rid of the fungus.
These simple tips will help protect your home from uninvited “guests” and maintain the health of all family members.
Types of mold
There are several types of mold that can form in your residential building:
- Green mold is the most common. You don’t have to be afraid of it, because if you know how to properly remove mold from wallpaper, it will quickly disappear.
- Dark green mold is more problematic, but is just as easy to remove if you identify it right away and act quickly.
- White mold that looks like fluff can spread almost unnoticeably. In a short time it affects the entire room. You definitely shouldn’t hesitate to deal with the white look, as it is very dangerous to human health and must be removed very carefully - only with a respirator and gloves.
- Black - can cause severe disturbances in the immune system of a weakened human body. It is the most dangerous of all types of household mold; it grows very quickly and is quite difficult to remove. It will have to be treated with special chemical mixtures. At the end of the work, prevention is important so that the black fungus does not settle on your walls again.
Habitat
Where is black mold most likely to appear? She, like all fungi, needs a nutrient medium. The most suitable conditions for its life are damp places. For example, if there is a problem with leaking pipes in the bathroom, then there is a high probability of dark spots forming on the walls.
In addition, black mold can be found anywhere - in the refrigerator, near ventilation grilles, vents, on bread, fabric, under the sink, bathtub, at the joints of tiles, in places where the shower stall or bathtub touches the walls.
The main condition for the existence of black mold is high humidity. It can feed on both organic and inorganic products, such as glue and wallpaper.
When to use the services of professionals
Contacting a room disinfection specialist is a guarantee that black mold will no longer affect the walls in your room or apartment. Professionals use highly effective specialized products that do not give the fungus the slightest chance. They have innovative equipment at their disposal that allows them to carry out the necessary work quickly, efficiently and without causing discomfort or damage to the client’s property.
Before calling a disinfectant to your apartment, check out the company’s price list. Competition in this market is great, as is the price range. You can order the service by paying 60 rubles for processing a square meter, or you can pay 500 rubles for the same amount of work. Also, be sure to read reviews about the company’s work on independent websites and forums on the Internet. You need to understand how efficiently the company’s specialists work, whether the fungus reappears after treatment, whether there is a guarantee for the services, and whether the center’s employees fulfill their obligations in full.
