A moist, dark bathroom is an ideal environment for propagating fungus. Often it is very difficult to get rid of mold in the bathroom: conventional processing products destroy only visible traces of its presence. Fungal spores can penetrate into the deeper layers of materials, especially porous ones (plaster, putty, grout for tiles). Mold can appear over and over again until you take thorough measures to destroy it. We offer you to get acquainted with effective means for removing fungus in the bathroom.
The best anti mildew in the bathroom
The surest way to never meet a fungus is to regulate the ventilation and heating in the bathroom, as well as eliminate leaks of taps. In other words, the best remedy for mold is its prevention. Including after cleaning already appeared spots. The fact is that fungal spores survive perfectly in a humid environment without light and air movement. A slightly alkaline and neutral environment is suitable for them and most detergents are not scary, as well as temperatures up to 100 degrees, frost and cold.
Apart from prevention, chemical treatment is the best way to combat mold. Fungal spores are very sensitive to acids, concentrated alkalis, biocides and fungicides that are used in industrial preparations. They are easily removed from the surface with vinegar, soda, chlorine. However, the main problem is the removal of the fungus from the inner layers of the walls. Folk remedies do not have high penetrating ability. Therefore, if the mold damage is serious, it is worth giving preference to special antiseptics that destroy the mold both outside and inside the walls, as well as prevent its reproduction.
The most dangerous for humans are the spores of the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus (Aspergillus fuming). This is not black or yellow mold, as many people think. Fungal infection can have any color: bluish, greenish, gray. Hue only means that the fungus has spores.
Household chemicals
Most modern wall treatments, including adhesives, paints and sealants, contain fungicides that inhibit the growth of fungi.
Conventionally, mold remedies can be divided into two groups:
- primers for prevention;
- concentrated mold control compounds.
If the fungus has already appeared, the use of prophylactic agents will not be enough. To clean the bathroom, deep penetration concentrates should be used. For processing residential premises, latex emulsions are used, in which there are no salts of heavy metals. They let air in and do not violate the indoor microclimate.
3 best mold remedies:
- DALI Universal antiseptic. Highly effective drug that copes with all types of fungi, moss, algae, bacteria and other types of biodefeat. It does not contain chlorine and does not destroy building materials. Suitable for treating various surfaces: concrete, brick, plaster, etc. To remove mold, an antiseptic is applied to the walls at the rate of 50–250 ml per 1 sq. m. Processing is carried out twice with an interval of 6 hours. The price of a 0.6-liter bottle is 150 rubles.
- Fungifluid ALPA. Active fungicide that destroys fungal spores. They can handle the walls both inside and outside the house. During processing, the color and gloss of the tile are preserved, the composition is safe for paintwork. A 2 liter bottle costs 550 rubles. Recommended consumption - 1 liter per 4-5 square meters. m
- OLIMP Stop mold. The fungus preparation is intended for the processing of damp rooms: bathrooms, basements, greenhouses and others. Safe for humans and animals, does not contain chlorine and volatile toxic substances. The tool can process concrete, plaster, tile, drywall, wood and many other materials. The approximate price is 100 rubles. for 1 liter
Folk recipes
If the mildew is superficial, you may well get along with home remedies.
The following recipes will help to remove the fungus:
- Chlorine bleach. "White", "Domestos" and other similar products contain sodium hypochlorite, which is detrimental to fungal spores. The bleach is diluted 1: 1 with water and the affected areas are treated with a brush or sprayed from the spray gun. Then bleach is washed off: with a superficial lesion - after 10 minutes, with a deep - after 3-4 hours.
- Vinegar 9%. Acetic acid quickly and effectively destroys mold on smooth surfaces. It is applied to walls, tiles, pipes and bath without dilution. After an hour, the vinegar is washed off, and the room is ventilated.
- Soda is an alkali and an abrasive. Helps mechanically clean out the fungus. To do this, add 1 tbsp to a glass of soda. tablespoon of water and 1 tbsp. a spoonful of dishwashing detergent. The resulting paste is rubbed on the areas affected by the fungus. After 30-40 minutes, the powder is washed off.
- Copper sulfate. You can fight mold in the bathroom with copper sulfate. This budget tool is often used in horticulture from plants on fungi. To process the walls in the bathroom, use a solution of 30 g of powder and 1 l of warm water. They can also remove leaks on the walls and ceiling after flooding.
- Potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate). Known antiseptic that is also effective against fungal spores. To process the walls, ceiling and tile space, a solution is prepared from 1 teaspoon of potassium permanganate and 1 liter of water. Shake the liquid thoroughly. When all the grains of potassium permanganate dissolve, the affected areas are abundantly moistened with the solution and left for 4-5 hours. Then the potassium permanganate is washed off.
4 steps to mold free
Fighting the fungus at home is not as difficult as it seems at first glance. The main thing is to approach the solution of the problem in detail. Relying on just one miracle cure is wrong.
In order for the mold to disappear without a trace and forever, 4 steps should be taken sequentially:
- We identify and eliminate the cause of mold in the bathroom. First, you need to adjust the ventilation and humidity in the bathroom. Check the ventilation holes and install a fan if necessary. Additional heating, installation of a heated towel rail will help to remove dampness. It is also important to inspect pipes and taps for leaks and repair them if necessary. Only after that the fight against the fungus will be most effective.
- We remove the fungus from the surface. At this stage, you need to examine the entire bathroom. Mold can be present not only on the tile, but also under the bathtub, on the blinds, in the corners, on the rims of the shower cubicle. You should wash the surface with any of the above means, and soak the mat and curtain in vinegar, and then wash (or replace with new ones).
- We carry out deep processing (if necessary). After surface cleaning, the amount of mold damage to the bathroom will be visible. If blackness or yellowness remains, a musty smell is in the air, then it is necessary to carry out deep processing - stripping. To do this, remove the old sealant, cement between the tiles on the wall, remove the plaster layer to the entire depth of the lesion. The better you clean the room, the more real the final disposal of the fungus. Further cleaned surfaces are treated with chemical compounds. It is better to use special products and apply them more than once, but 2-3 with a small interval.
- We process walls and tiles with protective equipment. At the final stage, prophylactic drugs are applied to walls, tiles, seams, and ceilings: antifungal sealants, primers, grouts, epoxy resins, etc. Concentrated emulsions and popular recipes can be used. To prevent the recurrence of mold, they are diluted with water 1: 2.
Most antifungal agents, including home ones, can burn the skin, mucous membranes and respiratory tract. In order not to get poisoning or a chemical burn, it is extremely important to take precautions. Work with the door open, in rubber gloves, protective clothing and a cotton-gauze bandage (respirator, if any).
How to get rid of the fungus on the seams of the tile - instructions
Very often mold appears in the bathroom at the seams of the tiles. It is capable of hitting cement and even silicone. Porous materials are fertile soil. Moisture accumulates in micropores, which nourishes the fungus.
If you notice a blackness between the tiles, you need to start processing immediately. Then there is a chance to get rid of "little blood."
How to remove mold between tiles on the wall yourself:
- Choose an antifungal agent.
- Process the seams.
- Wait 3-6 hours.
- Rinse the tile with warm water.
- Evaluate processing efficiency.
- If mold or odor remains, clean the seams to the depth of the lesion.
- Apply a special remedy against fungus.
- Repeat processing 2-3 times.
- Coat joints using epoxy, cement grout or antifungal silicone sealant.
Practical tips
In theory, the cleansing of tile joints from mold should not be questioned. But in practice, these or other difficulties almost always arise.
For antifungal treatment to be quick and effective, consider the following tips:
- Apply mold control between the tiles, being careful not to get on the tile. Some compounds are aggressive, and the dyes on the tiles are not always high-quality.
- Use a thin brush or an old toothbrush to apply the antifungal. You can also cut off a small piece of kitchen foam sponge. Using these tools, you can not only precisely process the seams, but also ensure good penetration of antifungal agents into all cavities and pits.
- Do not use a grinder to clean tile seams. You risk irrevocably ruining the tiles.
- To quickly clean the joints between the tiles, moisten the cement liberally with warm water 2-3 times with an interval of 10 minutes.
- Use a special scraper for seams to clean. Its cost is relatively low (up to 150 rubles). With them you will cope with the task 2-3 times faster.
- If there are no special tools for cleaning seams, you can arm yourself with a construction knife, a screwdriver, a toothpick, sharpened by an oak stick.
Mold in the bathroom is a serious cause for concern. Fungal spores are toxic to humans, especially in large quantities. They weaken the immune system, cause aspergillosis (lung damage), allergies. The fungus is especially dangerous for the elderly and children. Therefore, it is necessary to deal with it, and it is important to do it correctly. Do not avoid deep processing, cleaning the seams in the bathroom. Mold destroys building materials. If you hesitate, the tile will soon begin to recede and fall off. And then already an expensive repair can not be avoided.