No matter how well you clean the house, mould can ruin your furniture and clothes, and there is a real health risk. Mould can cause sinusitis, asthma, fungal infections, headaches, fatigue, depression, skin and respiratory diseases and joint pain. It is toxic, and you should take care immediately.
Your first thought will be to go to the local supermarket and stock up on mould killers, but the bad news is that they won’t work. And I’ll tell you why.
Mould or mildew – what is it?
Mould is a type of fungus, and mildew is a type of mould. Mould is what can appear on surfaces such as wood, wool, leather, silk, cotton and linen) and is almost ubiquitous and needs only moisture to begin to spread.
Mould and mildew love warm, humid, sometimes dark spaces – so it’s important to regularly ventilate areas such as garages and basements (especially after rain).
Mould and mildew spores can be everywhere. But to observe growth, excessive humidity in the room is needed. Most often in the kitchens, where cooking inevitably forms moisture. Especially on winter days, as the windows open less frequently. Mould and mildew cover a diverse group of fungi. They are neither plants nor animals. Mould spreads by releasing millions of spores into the air. These disputes can be practically everywhere. They develop and form black spots (mycelium) if there are suitable conditions. That is the visible part where we recognise that there is mould. Small pieces of mycelium can create new colonies. And so, at some point, it turns out that the whole wall is in mould. It most often forms in the inner surfaces of exterior walls, corners and sills. Its presence means having suitable conditions for mould growth in the home. Namely:
- High relative humidity in the room – over 75-80%;
- Relatively low wall temperature;
- Lack of air movement – not ventilated enough;
- Nutrient environment that is abundant in a home.
Unfortunately, mould is seen more as a cosmetic and aesthetic problem than causing health problems among occupants.
Things you can do to prevent mould
- Make sure you have excellent and practical ventilation, leaving doors and windows open on dry days.
- Open the curtains and windows to let the sun in (remember that mould loves dark spaces).
- After a rainstorm, check the roof for leaks and accumulation.
- Dry all wet areas.
- Clean houseplants of dust and extra water.
- Wipe off condensation.
- Use a dehumidifier – set it to less than 55% humidity.
Condensation as a prerequisite for the formation of mould
Condensation forms when we have a surface whose temperature is much lower than the air temperature. It’s like every time you take a bottle out of the fridge. Drops of moisture condensed from the air immediately appear on its surface. However, condensation does not form on the bottle when it is at the room’s temperature. The reason is that there is no difference between the temperature of its surface and that of the room.
To fight condensation, you must raise the temperature of the wall surface, which is done by laying internal or external insulation.
How to get rid of mould?
To do this, you must dry your home and remove any moisture.
Do you have to get rid of the mould if you live in rented accommodation?
You must tell your landlord, as he must keep the home in good condition, without mould.
The easiest and most practical way to deal with mould is to prevent it from forming, and if it does appear, treat it in time.
In the bathroom
It creates excellent climatic conditions for growing mould – moisture, heat and lack of good ventilation. Tile joints and silicone seals are favourite places for mould to form. Bleach is the best way to fight it. More surfaces in the bathroom can withstand its aggression.
To avoid bleach splashes:
- Put on a pair of rubber gloves and apply a generous amount of bleach on the affected areas.
- Leave it on for 20-30 minutes.
- Rub vigorously with an old toothbrush and rinse thoroughly.
Tip: To prevent mould from taking power in the constantly wet areas of the bathroom, you can spray periodically with a solution of bleach and water in a ratio of 1: 4. It can always be on hand with the detergents in the bathroom.
On the walls
There is no way to deal with the spotted plague while you have a wet wall. No matter how many cosmetic exercises to remove mould you do, it is unlikely to help in the long run. Eliminate the cause by isolating the wall from the invasion of moisture. Ensuring good ventilation is a crucial factor in combating spores.
Tip: If you have large windows in the room, keep them from sweating too much. The moisture retained will certainly help the mould slide quickly on the windows and walls near the window.
In most cases, mould removers irritate the respiratory system and cause allergies. Try to deal with the problem by using tea tree essential oil. Dissolve 20 drops of it in 1 cup of water. Pour it into a spray bottle, and spray the mouldy surface. Allow absorbing and dry. Wipe with a damp cloth, then dry well.
The most important measures that we must take if there is mould in the home:
- Increase ventilation and remove moist air in rooms with more plants, aquariums or other sources of moisture
- Waterproof the connections with the walls of your newly replaced joinery.
- In the bathroom, toilet and kitchen, where moisture is higher, ventilate frequently.
- When you are not at home, leave the dry room doors open. The goal is to achieve natural air circulation throughout the house.
- If you are doing repairs, plan it in the warmer months of the year so that the moisture from the walls can come out and not stay in the house.
- It is good to maintain a constant temperature in the rooms – about 22 degrees around the clock, and often ventilate them. It is best to open two opposite windows to allow air movement.
- When arranging the furniture, keep in mind at least a 5-10 cm distance from the wall so that the air circulates behind them and does not form mould.