Mycelium. Let's find out the causes of mold on the walls and what to do to eliminate mold permanently and naturally.
Mold: causes and interventions
When it has to do with mold must firstly identify the cause; is more common in closed environments and subject to moisture, little sunny or infiltration of water or where there is moisture or poor ventilation. In the long run due to flaking plaster.
Here are two common cases:
- wall with water infiltration, mold will reform the problem is structural, it is advisable to consult an expert;
- wall without moisture, you must ventilate more easily remedied the room and avoid condensation.
Walls, ceiling, shower curtains, cabinets, tile and fixtures.
The two causes identified are:
- Poor thermal insulation of walls: walls, beams and columns facing outwards and not perfectly insulated (thermal bridges);
- Poor heating habits and ventilation of the house: poor air exchange, damp laundry left to dry inside the house, excess water in plants, failure to positioning of hoods or fans in the kitchen
Other common causes are:
- infiltration of water from the ground or from the ceiling
- leaks from pipes
- condensation
It is necessary first and foremost to structure the intervention:
- cleaning and removal;
- pipe control;
- controlling water infiltration;
- assessment of structural damage;
- Prevention in preserving the air from future infestations.
As we will see there are several natural remedies to eliminate the mold but after they have been applied, in case of structural damage consult an expert.
And 'possible to predict expected may appear mold?
To identify wetlands or infiltration just look at the material:
- chalk swells;
- discolor the paint or falls in flakes;
- the plaster swells and falls;
- the metal is corroded;
- the wood is separated and rots;
- on waterproof materials bubbles form.
Mold: health consequences
Because the mold should be removed? It 's very dangerous for the respiratory system: the spores grow hypha that can be inhaled and cause breathing problems as well as allergy, also the spores release toxins.
Symptoms of respiratory allergy caused by mold:
cold
conjunctivitis
cough
stuffy nose
difficulty in breathing
asthma
rhinitis
inflammation of the respiratory system
migraine
pneumonia
nausea
skin rash and dermatitis
muscle and joint pain
anxiety, depression
mood swings
difficulty concentrating
Which is why the mold should never be underestimated.
Who are the people who can most easily suffer the consequences?
children
People with asthma
Senior citizens
People with immune problems
patients who have recently undergone transplants
People with allergies
Caution: The mold can be carcinogenic, especially the Stachybotrys chartarum characterized by green and black spots. The most dangerous mycotoxins are aflatoxins and ochratoxin, in particular the second is carcinogenic and is that which occurs more easily in the food.
How to remove mold from walls: Natural Remedies
Start with the idea that the mold is tough and that if there is a problem between the aforementioned cases, not resolved it will reform and also faster. Therefore measured a good way to clean it and then do an expert intervene in case the damage is structural. If it's a matter of bad habits need to be addressed: do get light and air in the rooms, place dehumidifiers or fans.
Here is what are the most effective natural remedies to remove mold:
- Bleach: in my opinion is the best remedy and the only really effective, however, wipe it with gloves and mask window open. How to remove mold from the walls with bleach? Just spray the bleach on the stain and rub with a clean cloth. This intervention is very effective on the white walls, to avoid the colored walls as the cleaned parts could take a lighter shade .;
- hydrogen peroxide: it only takes 2 tablespoons in a pint of water to which you can add salt or baking soda and maybe 5 drops of tea tree oil which kills the bacteria. Spray on the mold (gloves, mask, open window) and wipe with a clean cloth. With this remedy it takes a lot of elbow grease but is really sanitizing;
- Alcohol: 100 ml of alcohol for food use or pink alcohol and 10 drops of lavender or tea tree oil. Interesting remedy for removing mold at time of infestation, the most suitable to smooth surfaces, such as fixtures and tile.
- Vinegar: it takes 100 ml of white mixed with salt, 20 drops of tea tree oil vinegar to have a good remedy mold, even though I have to say this from experience is more effective on tiles and fixtures.
- Baking soda 1 tablespoon of detergent for dishes, 1 tablespoon of baking soda and 10 drops of lavender essential oil. Suitable for mold does not tenacious and easily accessible surfaces.
- Grapefruit: half a liter of distilled water, 10 drops of tea tree and 1 tablespoon of the extract of grapefruit seed. Pour into a spray bottle, shake, spray, let it work, rub (gloves, mask, open windows, I never tire of repeating it because breathing mold is harmful).
- Lemon oil: half a liter of distilled water, 100 ml of white vinegar, 10 drops of tea tree and 5 drops of lemon essential oil. Ideal against critical mold.
- Apple vinegar: 200 ml of distilled water, 200 ml of apple vinegar, 10 drops of lemon essential oil and cinnamon. Spray and wipe. Ineffective against the tough mold.
How to eliminate mold: do's and do's and don't s
- do not dry clothes in the house, better to take a tumble dryer;
- avoiding the plants in the house;
- keep burning hood and fan when cooking and close the inner doors of the house;
- painted the walls with lime paints, and special anti-mold paint;
- keep turned on a fan when you are in the bathroom to drain the condensate;
- let in sunlight and air in the house;
- place small bowls of salt and baking soda in the rooms and dehumidifiers over furniture;
- Acting now since the first appearance of small spots.
And you, what method to eliminate the mold used and what you think the most effective?
