Mold is a visible plaque that is formed by microscopic mold fungi. They are ubiquitous: they can grow on any materials and in any conditions. Mold appears not only on the surface of objects, but also penetrates the threads of the mycelium 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. It appears on wooden surfaces, giving them a blue hue. It may affect furniture, parquet or window frames.
Black mold. The most vicious type of fungus that thrives everywhere: from paper wallpaper in the bedroom to tile in the bathroom.

Why does mold appear?

Mold begins to multiply when it gets into a suitable environment.

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

How to understand that mold has already appeared?

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

What is needed to combat mold?

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

Before starting the treatment of the room, wear glasses, gloves, a respirator, a protective suit will not hurt. When working with affected objects, be careful not to spread mold spores around the house.

Inhalation of spores can be dangerous to health. Be sure to use personal protective equipment.

How to get rid of mold?

The algorithm is extremely simple:

Mechanically clean the affected surface from plaque.
Treat with any mold remedy.
Dry the surface and ventilate the room.
Do not allow mold to form again.

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

Mold on wallpaper can be successfully removed only in the early stages. Later, it is advisable to clean part of the wall to plaster. Don't hesitate! Literally in a year, the fungus is able to hit concrete and brick, passing through plaster. Use sandpaper for reliability and do not forget to wet the walls to prevent the spread of spores through the air.

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

Mold in the bathroom loves the seams between the tiles and the joints. Scrape off the affected sealant, clean the seams. After drying, treat with a disinfectant, seal the seams and joints with a new sealant and grout.

Waste remaining after processing, immediately throw it into an airtight bag. This will prevent mold from spreading.

Which remedy for mold to choose?

The main question is: 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 most suitable one for you.

Bleach

Suitable for tiles, glass, but not for porous materials. Toxic, should be used with caution. It is diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 10. It is applied with a brush or with a spray gun.

Table vinegar

Suitable for all surfaces and materials. Has a smell. It can discolor wallpaper or furniture. It is applied with a spray gun or a rag. For prevention, the procedure is repeated after a week.

Citric acid or juice

It has the same properties as vinegar, has a pleasant smell. Any materials 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 convenient to use. It can be applied on any surface, with caution — on painted and fabrics, so as not to discolor. It is applied with a spray gun or a rag. For prevention, the procedure is repeated after a week.

Baking soda

It is safe, has no pungent smell. It can be used on any surfaces. A tablespoon of soda is diluted in a glass of water. The surface is treated with a spray gun or a rag. After an hour, everything is wiped with water to avoid stains.

Essential oils

Tea tree, lavender and rosemary oils have antibacterial properties and a pleasant smell, they 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 with a spray gun. It is better to repeat the procedure once every couple of days for prevention.

How to remove the smell of mold?

If there is no mold anymore, but the unpleasant smell is still felt, use:

Baking soda. Pour a thin layer on the place where the mold grew, leave for a few hours, and then remove with a vacuum cleaner.
Charcoal. Arrange several containers of 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 refine the air in the house.

How to make sure that mold does not appear anymore?

Control the humidity of the premises. Insulate the walls and take care of waterproofing. Install an air conditioner that will drain 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 running heating will not allow condensation to form, which the fungus loves so much.
Make a rearrangement, disassemble the mezzanine. Freely circulating air will not allow mold to develop.
Pay more attention to the flowers in pots, especially geraniums and violets. Do not pour them over or use untested fertilizers.

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