The fact that black and gray plaque on the walls and ceiling in the bathroom is unaesthetic is not the biggest problem. It causes the greatest harm to health. The consequences of toxic spores getting into the lungs or bronchi can be the most unpredictable. Treatment after this will require long and serious treatment.
Therefore, if black mold is found in the bathroom, how to get rid of it must be decided immediately. Otherwise, it will quickly penetrate deep under the tiles, and it will not be easy to remove it from there. Our article is dedicated to ways to combat fungus - in this material we examined in detail the best store-bought and folk remedies for removing mold at home.
They also provided useful recommendations on the use of antiseptics and described preventive measures that can prevent the formation of fungus in the bathroom.
Causes of mold
Mold intervention is inevitable if the room:
- poorly ventilated;
- there is no natural light;
- Condensation forms on pipes and wall decoration;
- pipes leak at joints;
- it doesn't heat well.
Even one of these factors creates favorable conditions for its replication. Before it has time to spread to other rooms, urgent measures need to be taken. We talked in more detail about the danger of a person living with black mold here.
And mold spores can get inside through a window, caught in a draft, they penetrate through the front door. They can be brought on shoes and outerwear, and there are other ways. Well, the bathroom is the most fertile area for fungus.
If you do not immediately remove the water from the tiles after bathing, an environment favorable for mold will appear. In just 24 hours, its colony can increase 9 times
Why does mold appear?
Fungus appears in the bathroom for the following reasons:
- Poor ventilation. Even a constantly closed bathroom door will not cause mold if there is good draft in the exhaust duct.
- Low temperature or changes. When moisture does not dry out, ideal conditions are created for spores to develop.
- Condensation on pipes. Most often found on cast iron.
- Leak. Leaking pipes, faucets or toilets are one of the main causes of mold.
The photo shows what fungus looks like in the bathroom
It also happens that there is no reason for the formation of mold, but it appeared in one single place - perhaps this was due to a leak in the mine. In this case, contact the management company.
Where to look for fungus?
Even if visually you cannot immediately detect traces of the presence of mold, you should look for it in places hidden from view.
It can be:
- corners of walls in contact with the bathroom;
- gaps between tiles;
- places where plumbing fixtures connect to the walls;
- under the baseboards in the area of the sink and bathtub;
- on the ceiling;
- under the rug on the floor;
- in wood paneling;
- in cups for hygiene items.
Having penetrated into other rooms, the spores, if they do not germinate, retain their ability to reproduce for a long time and are just waiting for favorable conditions.
It is impossible to completely get rid of them, but creating unsuitable conditions for their development is quite possible.
Processing protection measures
To protect yourself from the harmful effects of the products used, as well as the fungus itself, you should prepare for the procedure in advance:
- wear gloves, goggles, a respirator;
- Use a rag, sponge, sandpaper, brush, water container, or garbage bag while working.
When using any product described in the publication, be extremely careful not to spread mold spores throughout the house and prevent re-contamination of surfaces.
The best commercial mold repellents
In the old days, this problem was solved by a radical method - simply leaving the house infected with mold. Now there are many other ways. Let's look at each of them in detail.
Such a dangerous enemy as black fungus requires immediate action to combat it. The process itself may not be quick and labor-intensive, but not only the type of room, but also your health depends on it
Industrial products are distinguished by the fact that after contact with them, mold loses its aggressive properties within a few hours. Some products need to be used regularly when cleaning, others during repairs. We will consider the characteristics of the best purchased antiseptics below.
No. 1 – Bagi “Anti-mold” spray
It is a good antibacterial agent. It is produced in Israel. It destroys not only visible mold, but also its spores, and also eliminates unpleasant odors.
It goes on sale in 0.5 liter bottles. The composition contains chlorine, surfactants and a maximum of 15% non-ionic surfactants, fragrances.
No. 2 - DEC spray from Neohim
DEC spray does the same job well. At the same time, this anti-mold tool removes limescale, traces of corrosion, and neutralizes odors. Consists of water, active ingredients, disinfectants, up to 5% surfactants, perfume composition.
Glycolic acid, present in the composition in the required concentration, penetrates the structure and removes harmful bacteria to the surface
The product is also good because after its application a hydrophobic layer is created, which protects the surface from fungus in the future.
No. 3 - PROSEPT Bath Fungi
An effective alkaline product for removing mold, produced in Russia. Packaging: 0.5 liter bottle with sprayer. There are 3 modes: OFF - closed state, SPRAY - spray mode with the smallest fraction, STREAM - the ability to apply working fluid in streams.
Has a wide range of functionality. Allows you to stop biological damage at the initial stage, prevent the progression of mold fungi, disinfects, and eliminates the smell of mold.
The negative aspects include the strong smell of bleach.
No. 4 - Cillit Bang spray
It has a powerful formula that allows you to fight black mold. The spray contains a high percentage of chlorine, so the smell is very pungent, but it does its job perfectly.
After applying it, it is better to leave the room for about 20 minutes. When the product takes effect, it must be removed.
No. 5 - Mellerud product from Germany
The product is produced in Germany. Eliminates mold and its spores, disinfects. The working substance is active oxygen. Has a prolonged effect.
Mellerud - packed in a convenient 0.5 liter container with a dispenser spray. This is enough to treat large areas
There is no chlorine in the composition, there is no smell. The product is suitable for processing many types of materials - stone, tiles, plaster, fabric.
If the surface is heavily infected with mold, apply liquid to it using a spray bottle and leave it there overnight. From moderately contaminated areas, remove the product an hour after application using a brush or soft cloth. Afterwards the entire area is washed.
In addition to these products, there are other antiseptics that are ideal for protecting walls from mold and fighting fungus when it appears. We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the best antifungal products for walls.
Mechanical method of removing fungus
One of the tools you will need to remove fungus mechanically is a spatula.
When black spots appear on the sealant in the joints between tiles in the bathroom or on the walls in living areas, the affected coating must first be removed. Different tools are used for this:
- putty knife;
- steel brush;
- grinding attachment (installed on the drill);
- sharp knife, etc.
To prevent the spread of spores through the air (the main method of contamination of surfaces), the cladding must be treated with water. To do this, it is recommended to use a spray bottle. If you use a sponge or rag, some of the spores will become airborne when the material comes into contact with the surface. When the fungus has already penetrated the structure of wood or concrete, the milling method is used. When the infection is severe, mold is also found on inorganic surfaces. If you plan to fight it yourself, it is important to follow the instructions:
- The surface is moistened with water from a spray bottle.
- They free load-bearing structures from cladding: wallpaper on the walls, whitewash on the ceiling, flooring. This will allow you to get to the mycelium.
- If it turns out that the mold has penetrated deeper into the structure of the material of the supporting structure, remove the layer of plaster. It is necessary to clean the wall down to the rough base - brickwork, concrete.
At the next stage, chemicals are used. However, if the preparatory work (mechanical cleaning) did not provide the required result, special means will not destroy the fungus. It will continue to develop on the adjacent site.
Chemical agents can also be used against fungus.
Folk remedies against mold
Opponents of the use of aggressive chemicals to destroy black fungus often use improvised means. Many of them give good results.
Remedy #1 - baking soda in tandem with vinegar
Black mold recedes in front of such a simple remedy as soda ash - soda ash or regular in tandem with vinegar.
It’s easy to prepare the mixture:
- take 5 liters of water, but only hot;
- throw 150 g of soda ash or 150 g of regular soda into it;
- to this add 9% vinegar - 100 g.
Having received a foamy liquid, problem surfaces are treated with it. On a horizontal surface, you can remove blackness more easily. Strongly overgrown mycelium is removed with a spatula, and then these areas are sprinkled with soda. Next, put a spray bottle on the bottle with vinegar and spray the surface to extinguish the soda.
A mixture of soda and vinegar works well against mold that has settled in the seams of facing tiles. After 20 minutes of action of the mixture, it is washed off with a brush.
The mycelium dies during the process of foaming, indicating that sodium bicarbonate has reacted with acetic acid.
If there is a washing machine in the bathroom, mold can grow there too. Often black marks can be seen on the sealing rubber, but it is much worse when it penetrates inside the tank. You can remove it from there using vinegar and “Whiteness”.
To do this, these two components are mixed in equal proportions. The powder compartment is soaked in this solution for half an hour. Afterwards, clean it with a brush.
The solution is poured into the machine and, having set it to the longest mode, the highest temperature, it is turned on. Under the influence of high temperature and active substances, microorganisms will die.
We looked at other ways to get rid of mold in a washing machine in the following material.
Remedy #2 – tea tree oil
This non-standard method gives a good result, because... mold microorganisms are sensitive to the components that make up this aromatic oil.
The usage scheme is as follows:
- Buy a bottle of tea tree oil.
- Hands need to be protected, so rubber gloves are also needed.
- Take a spray bottle and pour water into it.
Add 2 large spoons of aroma oil to 500 ml of water. Stir the mixture, pour it into the bottle, and shake. After this, the product can be used for processing.
After application, the mixture does not need to be washed off; it should work. Since the product is natural, it is safe for both people and pets.
It is sprayed on the affected surface, then the fungus is collected with a cloth. To enhance the result, it is advisable to repeat the procedure and leave the treated area to dry naturally.
If the walls in the bathroom are severely damaged, you need a more concentrated solution - 20 ml of oil per 1000 ml of water. It is best to do the treatment using a brush with a long handle.
Since the product has a specific odor, it does not dissipate quickly. To protect your walls from possible damage from black mold in the future, you can add a little oil to the paint. This will stop the development of the colony if mold penetrates thoroughly into the thickness of the wall.
Remedy #3 - Hydrogen Peroxide
This tool is available and inexpensive. There is no need to do any manipulations with it. It is simply poured into a container with a spray bottle and sprayed undiluted. After 15 minutes of exposure, the treated areas are wiped.
Not every surface can be treated with a preparation such as 3% hydrogen peroxide, since it tends to bleach some materials. To be on the safe side, you need to test its effect in a small area.
With the same success, perhydrol can be replaced with furatsilin or copper sulfate.
Remedy #4 - boric acid
Borax, borax or boric acid is the name of one drug. Half a glass of the substance is diluted in a liter of water. The tile seams and other places where mold is found are cleaned with a stiff brush dipped in a solution. After some time, wipe the treated areas with a dry cloth.
There is one unpleasant moment in this process - the substance is not entirely safe, because it irritates the respiratory tract. Therefore, gloves and a mask must be mandatory when processing borax.
It is also advisable to perform work in the absence of children and pets.
Remedy #5 - aqueous ammonia
Non-porous surfaces in the bathroom are well cleaned and disinfected with ammonia. Ammonia is simply applied to the surface using a sponge or cloth. The effect is increased by adding glycerin in small quantities.
The downside is toxicity. Because of this, it can cause irritation of the mucous membranes and even poisoning.
The mixture is left on the surface for one hour, then washed off with water. When using ammonia, you need to know that it evaporates by 50% of the original volume and does not always have time to react.
Like boric acid, ammonia emits a very strong and pungent odor. This may cause irritation.
Remedy #6 - Chlorine Bleach
This simple remedy poses a threat not only to indoor mold, but also to outdoor mold.
The active component of “Belizna” is the inorganic compound sodium hydrochloride. It has disinfectant and antiseptic properties. The working substance in the bleach is 3 – 6%
The percentage of chlorine in “Belizna” is very high, hence the good disinfecting effect. Among all the available means considered, bleach is the leader. It is also good for removing mildew from boards (various wooden surfaces).
The downside is toxicity. Because of this, it can cause irritation of the mucous membranes and even poisoning.
Remedy #7 - copper sulfate
This product kills mold from tiles, primers, and plastic. It needs to be diluted with water. The proportion is 100 g of substance per 10 liters of liquid. The solution is applied to the surface with a brush; it is better to do this in several layers. For prevention, a product is also applied around the area with mold.
Everything is left in this state for some time. Next, you should wash the treated areas and ventilate the room. The product is toxic, so you will need a respirator and gloves to work with it.
Why is mold on walls dangerous?
Mold is a colony of single-celled fungus that reproduces by spores. These microscopic spores are present in the air almost everywhere, as they are transported along with dust masses.
Bathroom ceiling covered in mold.
If the situation in the house is favorable, mold has not found a “place to settle,” then the human body does not even notice these spores in small quantities (except for people with allergies). It’s a different matter if the colony settled, began to grow, and itself turned into a constantly operating “generator” of these same spores. Then they inevitably enter the indoor air in large quantities and contribute to the rapid further development of colonies. But they begin to pose a particular danger when they enter the human body, causing a number of dangerous diseases.
- Allergic reactions are very severe and extend even to those people who were not previously affected by other allergens.
- Respiratory tract diseases. With constant inhalation of spores, a person can develop even such serious diseases as pneumonia and asthma, with the transition to a difficult-to-treat chronic stage.
- Skin diseases - dermatoses, mycoses and other lesions.
- A state of exhaustion of the body, disorders of the digestive system, nausea, dizziness and headaches are possible.
- When exposed to mold, very serious systemic disturbances in the functioning of the lungs, liver, kidneys and other organs can occur.
Fungal infections are especially dangerous for the elderly, children, and those who are already predisposed to allergic reactions. Medical statistics know many cases with fatal outcomes.
Fungal infections also cause serious damage to building structures. This should also never be forgotten. The longer the fight against this pathogenic microflora is “postponed until later,” the more difficult it will be to cope with it in the future.
Mold that appears on the surface of walls and ceilings gradually grows inside and destroys the structure of building materials. This leads to peeling of the plaster and decorative cladding.
Mold that has penetrated the structure of concrete slabs draws out the lime components from them, which dramatically increases the fragility of the material. In addition, as a result of the vital activity of the fungus, decay products are formed, resulting in internal stress. If timely measures are not taken, destruction of the surface layers of slabs or masonry may occur. Then considerable costs will be required not only for removing mold, but also for repairing walls and ceilings.
Wood that is not properly treated becomes extremely vulnerable to fungal attack.
Well, mold is completely destructive for wooden parts - it can “eat up” high-quality wood in just a couple of years. Fortunately, if we are talking only about finishing. But load-bearing parts can also be affected!
Some tips for using the products
When planning to use one or another remedy for black mold, you need to take into account a number of features. Firstly, it is impossible to remove this scourge by washing off with warm soapy water with manganese. Even if it is possible to eliminate the black plaque, disputes will remain. Having received a new nutrient medium in the form of warm moisture and the components that make up the soap, their colonies will begin to multiply even faster.
It only takes two years for black mold to destroy building structures. In favorable conditions, she will not stop at the bathroom, but will capture new territories
Secondly, it is impossible to avoid the re-invasion of mold after removing it mechanically. The spores will remain and continue to reproduce.
Thirdly, high positive temperatures, as well as very low ones, are not able to destroy mold spores. Their presence will only stunt growth. Once favorable conditions return, the mold will continue to grow.
Fourthly, the smallest cracks in the bathroom wall need to be repaired, and the walls that are in contact with the street should be insulated. The rugs on the floor in this room should be dry, or even better, have a warm floor here.
Fifthly, it is advisable not to dry wet laundry in the bathroom. It will become an additional source of moisture. When zonal surface treatment does not help, you will have to make repairs throughout the entire room. For this purpose, purchase products intended for use during repairs. They are added to putty, paint or whitewash.
The process of renovating a bathroom is labor-intensive and requires both time and money. But it is almost impossible to deal with old mold in any other way.
Pay attention to primers that are based on acids and other components that have a detrimental effect on mold.
A break in hostilities and a visit from neighbors
One day, the neighbors also started repairs and decided to change the water pipes, so they came to me to discuss this issue. At the same time, we asked to look at the bathroom to decide where and how to make the joints.
Naturally, mold, which by that time had become almost familiar to me, did not escape their gaze. As it turned out, neighbors once faced a similar problem and spent a long time looking for a solution. The chemicals gave a short-term effect - the fungus returned every time.
As a result, after shoveling through tons of literature, the neighbors found out that the cause of mold deposits is:
- high level of humidity, which is constantly maintained;
- lack of good ventilation (this problem is often found in old houses);
- the use of building materials that do not contain fungicides - substances that do not allow fungus to settle on the surface and germinate.
The neighbors did not have money for a full-scale renovation of the bathroom, so they took the least expensive route - they installed a forced exhaust system so that the moist air would not linger in the bathroom, but would immediately go into the ventilation pipe. And since at the same time they had another family member - a cat - they made a mini-hole in the door especially for him. This hole had to perform two functions at once - provide the animal with round-the-clock access to the tray and guarantee constant air exchange.
We recommend: Choose acrylic or latex paint for repairs
Making holes in the door, especially in the absence of pets, was not part of my plans, but I really liked the idea with the exhaust fan. But there was one more nuance - I used the bathroom not only for taking a shower, but also for drying clothes. To prevent hanging laundry from becoming a source of moisture, I had to buy a drying machine. It was expensive, but, as it turned out later, the acquisition was completely worth it.
How to prevent mold?
This uninvited guest feels comfortable in a room where there is absolutely no ventilation and drafts in conditions of high humidity - from 80% and a temperature of 20⁰. Based on this, it is necessary, first of all, to create an environment in which mold cannot develop in principle.
To maintain constant humidity levels in the bathroom, you do not need to close the door tightly. If this measure is not enough, you will have to arrange ventilation. You can install a door with special holes for ventilation or drill them yourself, then decorate them with decorative rings.
The door model with holes equalizes the temperature inside the bathroom. Ventilation holes come in the form of circles or rectangles. They are performed in several zones or one and are masked with a decorative lattice.
A more effective way is to install a fan in the air duct. The hole is sealed with a ventilation grill. Switching on and off can be done using the light switch.
The best option is to install a hygrometer and connect it to the fan via a sensor. Once the humidity reaches the upper limit, it will turn on the fan. When the humidity value drops, the device turns on again.
You can buy a ventilation grill and install it yourself, but then the integrity of the door leaf is compromised.
If you follow all our recommendations, the issue of black mold will no longer bother you.
Prevention
To avoid secondary infection with this parasite, it is advisable to take preventive measures:
- Set up ventilation. This can be done through ventilation.
- Take action against freezing of premises and accumulation of condensation in them.
- Repair minor leaks. They are a constant source of moisture.
- Get rid of cast iron pipes. It is better to use plastic ones, as they do not contribute to the formation of condensation.
- Do not dry wet laundry in the rooms.
- Treat the joints between tiles in a timely manner.
