How to get rid of mold and mildew in the bathroom. Don’t give mold a chance: rating of the best means to combat mold in the bathroom Fungus in the bathroom how to remove

• The grout should be allowed to dry, after which its excess should be removed with a slightly damp cloth or sponge. You don't need to be too overzealous, just wipe the tiles as you would during normal cleaning.
• A day later, when the grout has thoroughly dried, treat the entire surface with a deep-penetrating antifungal primer.

Video: Do-it-yourself method for grouting tile joints.

Mold deposits on the walls and ceiling of the bathroom are by no means a rare occurrence. Almost every homeowner has encountered a similar misfortune. But this process cannot be ignored, since fungal infections (and mold is nothing more than a frolicking colony of fungus) negatively affects the health of all residents of the apartment. And this is putting it mildly...

At the first appearance of signs of such a lesion - a black or dark green coating, the most urgent measures should be taken. But many don’t even know where to start liquidating the colony. Simply washing off the black coating from the walls will not be enough, and in a short time everything will return. It’s not just cleaning that needs to be done, but literally the walls need to be treated for fungal infection.

Don't know where to start? – that’s why our article is being published: how to remove fungus in the bathroom with a guarantee that it will never come back. But first of all, it is necessary to identify why colonies are dangerous, and also to find the cause of their occurrence.

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.

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 obvious allergic predispositions). 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 the body is exposed to mold on an ongoing basis, 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.

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!

Causes of mold

First, you need to understand why a colony of mold may appear in the bathroom. And there are more than enough reasons for this!

A favorable microclimate for mold formation is a warm environment, constantly replenished with moisture. It is quite obvious that the bathroom is exactly the place where these two indicators are combined. At the same time, the bathroom, as a rule, does not have a window through which it could be directly and quickly ventilated, and this also contributes to the quiet growth of pathogenic microflora.

Therefore, effective ventilation always plays a special role in the bathroom. Such that all fumes do not linger on the walls and ceiling, but are removed through exhaust ducts as soon as possible. To increase the efficiency of exhaust ventilation, natural draft is often enhanced by built-in fans.

Effective ventilation in the bathroom and toilet is not so much a matter of comfort as of safety!

To some, such a categorical statement may seem like an exaggeration, but that’s how it really is! How to achieve constant and effective functioning - read in the special publication of our portal.

Of course, it is easier to organize a ventilation system in a private house by starting its development when drawing up the overall project. In apartment conditions, the problem of mold on the ceiling and walls of the bathroom can be somewhat more difficult to deal with, since the general building exhaust ventilation does not always fully cope with its functions. Failures are especially common in older houses, in which the ventilation ducts are either clogged with dirt or overloaded.

However, even in such a situation you can find a way out. Very often in old apartments the bathtub borders the kitchen area. Therefore, you can lay a ventilation pipe from the bathroom under the ceiling of the kitchen and lead it through the wall directly to the street. Thus, by installing an additional channel for exhaust from both the bathroom and the kitchen (which, by the way, also often creates ideal conditions for the development of mold).

What’s interesting is that apartment owners, even with normally functioning exhaust ducts, often create conditions for extremely low ventilation efficiency. Namely, the paths for the normal flow of air into living spaces or for its unhindered circulation from the inflow to the exhaust ducts in the kitchen, bathroom or toilet are blocked. And if there is no influx, then there is nothing to pull out...

For example, metal-plastic window systems are installed everywhere, hermetically sealing the paths of natural air flow. With this approach, one should not forget about frequent ventilation or installing ventilation supply valves.

Another mistake is very tightly fitted doors between rooms and at the entrance to the bathroom and toilet. That is, the paths of normal circulation are blocked. And the problem can be solved very simply - by installing neat, nice-looking ventilation grilles on the bottom of the door leaves.

Of course, it is necessary to think through effective ventilation of a room with high humidity before mold appears. But if such a nuisance has happened, then when starting the fight, you should correctly understand that if ventilation is not established, then all the work may go down the drain, since you won’t have to wait long for a relapse of the fungus to develop.

Well, ways to combat different types of fungus will be discussed in the following sections of the publication.

Types of mold

It makes sense to first get at least brief information about some of the types of fungi that you usually have to deal with. They occur on different materials and require different approaches to their elimination.

Most often at home you have to deal with dark spots of mold. Typical places where it occurs are poorly ventilated bathrooms and toilets, kitchens. But sometimes extensive lesions are also found in living rooms, especially on external walls, in corners and on window slopes.

Such manifestations should not be confused with dirt, as they are caused by certain types of microorganisms:

• Rotting bacteria (brown, bacterial, white rot) and blue rot fungus occur on wooden surfaces, for example, if the bathroom is lined with wooden paneling. These microorganisms do not live on other materials. To stop the process of wood destruction, it must be treated with one of the fungicidal solutions.
• Black mold is the most common and most dangerous type of fungus for humans, colonies of which grow both on the surface and inside the structure of the wall material. This group of fungi includes Ulocladium, Aspergillus, Chaetomium and others. Black mold appears both on surfaces made of organic materials and on ceramic tiles, in the seams between them, in a layer of paint, in brickwork, in silicone and other materials in which moisture can accumulate.

Since the traditional methods of finishing bathrooms are tiling with ceramic tiles, plastering surfaces or covering them with panels, under which there is still a “bare” brick, concrete or plaster wall, then in such conditions the most likely “uninvited guest” can be black mold.

We destroy mold!

Cleaning surfaces from fungal colonies

To get rid of fungus, many different techniques are used. For this purpose, both ready-made products manufactured in industrial conditions and those invented by home-grown craftsmen are used.

Before choosing one of the methods, it is recommended to check how deeply the fungus has penetrated into the base material.

• If the bathroom is covered with wallpaper and black spots appear on it, then you will have to get rid of this decorative covering without any pity. Otherwise, mold cannot be eliminated, since damp paper itself is a breeding ground for it.
• If stains have formed on the seams between the tiles, then you should go over them with sandpaper. It is possible that after removing the top layer of grout, clean material will be found underneath it, which will need to be treated with one of the products suggested below. If the mold has penetrated the entire depth of the seam, which happens, but quite rarely, then you will have to remove all the grout, otherwise after a short time the seams will be black again.

• If mold has formed on silicone, which, for example, is used to seal the joint between the bathtub and the wall, then it definitely needs to be removed to the base, and then the surfaces must be thoroughly cleaned of any remaining fungus and treated with one of the special products.
• Mold is easily washed off from the surface of the tile, but after removing it, the lining must be treated with a solution that can destroy the remains of the fungus.
• Plastic cladding of walls and ceilings affected by pathogenic formations will have to be dismantled to carry out antiseptic treatment of the panel grooves. Sometimes you have to replace the finish completely - given the low cost of the panels, this can be even more profitable and faster. But the wall itself under the cladding must be treated!
• If the entire depth of the plaster layer of a ceiling or wall is affected by fungus, it is also recommended to clean it off. And before applying a new cladding, the surface must be thoroughly dried and then treated with compounds that penetrate deeply into the structure of the base.

After moldy materials have been removed, the bathroom must be well ventilated and then dried. At the same stage, you can get serious about arranging exhaust ventilation if it previously did not work effectively enough.

Mold removal products

As mentioned above, there are quite a lot of different means to combat it. Some can be purchased ready-made in a store, others can be made independently at home.

Ready-made compositions for combating fungus

If large areas of wall and ceiling surfaces damaged by fungus are found, then the best option would be to use ready-made solutions designed specifically to destroy the fungus. Specialized household chemical stores offer a fairly wide range of such products. If you purchase a liquid composition, it is recommended to choose bottles already equipped with a spray bottle. This aerosol application contributes to economical consumption and good penetration of the solution into the structure of the surface material.

The antiseptic is suitable both for tiled surfaces and for preparing them for finishing - painting or tiling.
The drug does not contain chlorine, it is easily and quickly absorbed, and has an excellent penetrating effect. In this case, the solution does not negatively affect the material being processed.

In addition to the above-mentioned products, a very wide range of other analogues is available for sale. If you want to get a high-quality, effective product, it is recommended that before purchasing any drug, you carefully study the reviews of users who shared their experience of using it.

Video: "SAVO" - an inexpensive but very effective remedy for fungus

"Folk" remedies for fighting fungus

Mold caused discomfort to homeowners long before professional means of combating it were developed. Therefore, homeowners themselves, on an experimental basis, tried to apply various substances to the affected surfaces. Thus, many different effective recommendations have appeared, following which you can cope with this scourge.

Several options for such compositions will be presented below.

Products containing chlorine

Drugs are used that seem to be intended for other needs. For example, the familiar “Whiteness” copes well with mold that has affected both small and large areas of surfaces. Another product that has found its admirers in recent years is Domestos, designed for cleaning and disinfecting plumbing accessories. This drug is also successfully used to “treat” the surfaces of the walls and ceiling of the bathroom from fungal formations

Of course, the big “disadvantage” of these and similar compositions is the strong unpleasant odor that is harmful to humans. It makes your eyes water and takes your breath away, so when using solutions or gels containing chlorine, it is necessary to take adequate measures to protect the mucous membranes, respiratory organs, and skin.

As a rule, the compositions are applied undiluted to the walls and ceiling using a spray bottle, and to the seams between the tiles - with a cotton swab or an old toothbrush. However, in some cases, a solution is prepared from drugs by mixing them with water in a 1:1 ratio. This application option is good because water promotes more active penetration of chlorine into the structure of the material being cleaned from mold.

In addition, chlorine-containing compounds are used in combination with other substances, for example, soda. For this purpose, a paste is made, consisting of two heaped spoons of soda and about one and a half spoons of white. After mixing, this product is applied to small affected areas of surfaces or to seams. After which the treated areas are left for two to three hours for the composition to act. Next, the drug should be washed off and then thoroughly dry the surfaces with hot air using a hairdryer.

Table vinegar

Vinegar or vinegar essence is a product that can be found in every kitchen. It is an excellent antiseptic that can destroy various types of pathogenic microflora.

You can use vinegar either as a separate product or in combination with baking soda. When these products are mixed, a reaction occurs that promotes the penetration of the composition into the structure of mold colonies. Thanks to this, the mycelium is destroyed by at least 80%.

When using only 6÷9% vinegar, it is poured into a spray bottle and sprayed onto damaged surfaces, then they must be left to act on the product for two to three hours. After this time, the remaining fungus will have to be removed with a stiff brush, then rinsed with water, dried with hot air, and then ventilated. Vinegar, as you know, also does not have a pleasant smell, but it is not as harmful to humans as chlorine. In addition, it dissipates quickly. However, the disadvantage of vinegar is the stains it leaves on plastered walls and ceilings.

To clean small forms of mold at the junctions of the bathtub with the wall and at the seams between ceramic tiles, vinegar used together with soda is better suited. This composition is applied and rubbed in with an old toothbrush directly during the reaction between the products, that is, immediately after mixing. The applied mixture must also be left for two to three hours, and then rinsed and dried the surfaces. For two heaped spoons of soda you will need one spoon of vinegar. If the mixture turns out to be too thick, you can add another teaspoon of vinegar.

Copper sulfate

Another effective remedy that is used to combat various types, as well as pests in garden plots, is copper sulfate. It is used to destroy existing mold colonies, and also as a prophylactic agent. In the latter case, the powder is diluted with water and added to plaster solutions, as well as to water-based painting compositions. Instructions for preparing the drug for different purposes can be found on the drug packaging.

After mechanical cleaning, the surfaces are treated with a soap solution, which will enhance the effect of the main product.

The surface should dry well, and only after that a solution of copper sulfate is applied to it with a sponge or spray bottle. In order for the drug to act on pathogenic microflora, it is left on the walls and walls for three to five hours, then it is sprayed again. The process may have to be repeated even three to five times, depending on the degree of mold growth. For the final treatment, you can add a large spoonful of vinegar to the vitriol solution.

Baking or washing soda

Baking or washing soda is also a good “fighter” against fungal colonies. Both one and the second composition can be used in the form of a slurry or liquid solution. The thick consistency is applied with a sponge, and the liquid is sprayed with a spray bottle. The solution will require one or two teaspoons per glass of water. To achieve a mushy state, take an arbitrary amount of soda, to which water is gradually added.

Surfaces treated with soda do not need to be washed, that is, it can remain on them for as long as desired. The advantage of soda products is their environmental friendliness, efficiency and lack of unpleasant odor.

Ammonia

Ammonia or ammonia solution is a good way to remove mold from surfaces made of hard materials. For example, an enamel bathtub, glass or ceramic tiles.

Ammonia can be purchased at any pharmacy, and to use it for household needs, it is diluted in a 1:1 consistency with water. This solution is applied to the contaminated surface using a sponge or spray bottle and left to act for several hours. After this, the treated areas are washed generously with water. When choosing this product, you must remember that it has an extremely unpleasant, pungent odor, and therefore working with it is very difficult.

Hydrogen peroxide

This remedy is an excellent antiseptic. It can be purchased for a very small price at any pharmacy. The drug is an environmentally friendly solution, it is not dangerous and does not have an unpleasant odor, but has a bleaching property. Therefore, it should not be used on colored surfaces, otherwise whitish spots will remain on them.

Peroxide is applied undiluted to mold colonies using cotton swabs, as they retain moisture longer and release moisture better. If horizontal surfaces are being cleaned, it is recommended to leave cotton wool soaked in peroxide on top of the treated areas. When choosing this product, you must remember that its effect after application to cotton wool lasts only 20 minutes. If during this time there is no quality result, then the manipulation must be repeated several more times, or another drug must be used.

Tea tree oil extract

This environmentally friendly product is a strong antiseptic and has a rather pleasant and persistent aroma. The oil is suitable both for the prevention of fungal infections and for their removal. Tea tree oil extract can be found in pharmacies or specialty incense stores.

To use this drug to remove mold, you need to mix two teaspoons with 0.5 liters of warm water. This composition is sprayed on top of the affected areas, and there is no need to wash off this solution. But after the treatment, it is not recommended to visit the bathroom for about 12 hours. Therefore, it is best to carry out such an event before leaving home for a while.

Borax (sodium tetraborate)

This mineral is a natural antiseptic and is suitable for cleaning surfaces on which mold colonies have grown heavily. To prepare the product you will need one glass of borax and two and a half liters of water. The composition will be quite thick, so it is applied to the infected areas using a sponge or soft cloth.

After the applied solution has dried, it should not be washed off. It will be enough to wipe the surface with a dry cloth or paper napkin, which will remove the protruding borax crystals.

If large areas of wall or ceiling surfaces are contaminated, they can be sprayed with a solution from a spray bottle. In this case, a solution is made with a lower concentration of borax - take one glass per four liters of water. After spraying, you need to wait until the surface dries and also remove any excess deposits.

Creosote

Creosote is made from tar diluted in ether or alcohol. It is a yellowish liquid with a pungent odor. This substance is able to cope with the most difficult contamination of the surface of any materials, as it easily penetrates their structure.

However, you need to know that creosote in most CIS and EU countries is equated to poison, and its danger lies in the fact that it causes serious harm to health if safety rules are not followed. Therefore, only a professional technician should work with this drug. If you inhale creosote fumes, you can get a dangerous chemical burn to the respiratory tract, and if it comes into contact with exposed skin, it causes a burning sensation.

Therefore, in order not to expose yourself to such a serious risk of intoxication, it is best to use a more “peaceful” but effective remedy that cannot harm human health. As we have seen, such drugs are quite sufficient.

Furacilin

The drug furatsilin, familiar to almost all Russians, costs literally pennies and is sold at any nearby pharmacy. This drug is used not only for its intended purpose, but also to combat mold, as it is a fairly powerful antiseptic.

For such use, you can choose a form of release of the drug that is convenient for you. The solution is already ready for use, but it will take some time to dissolve the tablet. It is more profitable to buy tablets because you can make a solution of higher concentration. For example, to get rid of a sore throat, one tablet is diluted in a glass of warm water, and to kill mold, the concentration can be doubled or even tripled. The furatsilin solution turns out to be yellow in color, so it must be used with caution when treating plastered ceilings or walls, as marks may remain on them. But the product is perfect for cleaning the seams between tiles sealed with dark-colored grout, as well as for treating the tiles themselves.

Liquid furatsilin can be applied with a sponge or using a spray bottle. After it dries, if necessary, the solution is applied one or two more times. Upon completion of treatment, the surfaces must be rinsed with water and dried with hot air.

Solutions consisting of several products

Many housewives have their own recipes for solutions that allow them to keep their bathroom in excellent condition.

• The first composition includes tea tree oil, water and alcohol. The solution is prepared as follows:

— one teaspoon of medical alcohol is poured into the bottom of the container;

- add two teaspoons of tea tree oil to it;

- then the two ingredients are mixed well - the alcohol will help dissolve the oil;

- after it dissolves, two cups of warm water are added to the mixture, and everything is mixed well again.

The solution is poured into a spray bottle, applied to damaged areas of surfaces and left until completely dry. Depending on the result, it can be applied an unlimited number of times. This product can also be stored for an unlimited amount of time (tightly closed, of course), without losing its properties.

• Another solution consists of hydrogen peroxide (50 ml), vinegar 9% (50 ml), liquid boric acid (25 ml) and water (100 ml). All of the above ingredients are mixed together and brought to a temperature of approximately 50÷70 degrees over low heat. Then the composition must be allowed to cool to a warm state and immediately applied to the mold-affected areas using a spray bottle or sponge. Leave it in this form for two to three hours. Then the product must be washed off and the surfaces dried.

Video: Which folk remedy is more effective?

Safety rules for removing mold formations

1 - When preparing to clean the bathroom from mold, you should remove all hygiene products from this room - towels, toothpaste and brushes, washcloths, soap, bottles of shampoo, etc. This must be done so that fungal spores do not fall on these objects and cause harm later.

2 - Due to the fact that manipulations to remove mold can be classified as dangerous activities, it is necessary to take protective measures that will protect the mucous membranes of the eyes and respiratory tract, and the skin. We must not forget that fungal spores, as well as almost all means for removing them, negatively affect human health.

Such protective devices include:

• A high-quality respirator that will close the airways.
• Plastic glasses that fit tightly to the skin of the face and reliably protect the eyes.
• Tall rubber gloves.
• Polyethylene apron. It is especially necessary if chlorine-containing preparations are chosen for the work, since if their drops get on clothing, white spots will remain on it.

After the work is completed, it is recommended to dispose of all protective devices immediately.

3 - It is necessary to clean surfaces from mold at a time when there are no household members or pets at home.

4 - After completing the treatment, the bathroom must be ventilated for two to four hours.

5 - It is advisable to use the bathroom only on the second or third day, after it has been thoroughly cleaned.

Preventive measures

It should be noted that the dust masses of any, even the cleanest room, still contain spores of various molds. However, their germination is possible only when a microclimate favorable for this process is created - this is a level of relative air humidity exceeding 40% (the higher, the more favorable for the fungus), a temperature of more than +20 degrees, as well as a lack of air circulation, that is, stagnation. That is, in order to avoid giving impetus to the appearance and development of extensive mold colonies, it is important not to create such conditions for them.

So, what needs to be considered to avoid fungal infections of the walls and ceilings in the bathroom. And this takes into account the fact that it is impossible to reduce temperature and humidity to values ​​at which mold does not develop.

• An effective ventilation system, as discussed above, must be installed.
• In addition to ventilation, it is necessary to perform “shock” ventilation of the room after water procedures. Fans that are equipped with hygrostats and will work until the humidity in the bathroom reaches the desired limits can help. Such models are easy to find in stores.

If the room is dry, or more precisely, with a normal level of relative humidity, then mold will not be able to develop and grow.

• Do not allow sudden temperature changes in the room, at which condensation can accumulate abundantly on the walls and ceiling. Of course, there is no escape from it, for example, after taking a hot bath. BUT, again, a natural and forced ventilation exhaust system will help to quickly deal with condensation.
• If one of the walls of the bathroom faces the street, then it must be properly insulated, preferably from the outside.
• If the heated towel rail in the bathroom is not heated well, it is recommended to install additional equipment for air drying. This point is especially important in the autumn-winter period, when the temperature decreases and air humidity increases.

• Drying clothes in the bathroom should be avoided. This dramatically increases the humidity in the room, and can also contribute to the development of mold colonies.
• It is important that faucets and other plumbing fixtures in the bathroom do not leak. Constantly flowing and dripping water is excess moisture that no one needs in this case.
• Periodic washing of bath curtains is necessary, as mold can also grow on them.
• If it is installed in the bathroom, then its doors should be left open for ventilation after taking a shower.
• Naturally, you should not wait for mold to cover large areas of wall surfaces. If even the smallest dark spots appear, they should be removed immediately. This process will take much less time and effort than fighting extensive colonies.

* * * * * * *

In conclusion, it must be said that the main preventive measure after installing an effective ventilation system is frequent inspections of the bathroom. The regularity of such an event will allow timely detection and removal of the first foci of fungal formations at the initial stage of their development, and will help to understand the reason that led to such consequences.

Mold spores spread everywhere, including in city apartments. The spread of mold usually begins in the dampest place in the room - the bathroom. Once in favorable conditions, the spores begin to grow into fluffy mycelium. Black hats not only spoil the appearance of the bathroom, shorten the life of building materials and are a source of musty smell, but also cause great harm to human health. Therefore, it is worth taking up mold removal in the bathroom as early as possible. After all, a fungus that is not removed in time can cause diseases such as candidiasis, asthma, bronchitis, and allergic rhinitis. Therefore, if mold appears, then the fight must be started immediately.

Causes of mold

Mold spores are present in every apartment, but they do not always develop. To reproduce, they need special conditions: high air humidity, lack of sunlight, air temperature not lower than 15°C. This is why mold cannot be seen in frequently ventilated rooms or, for example, in a frozen village house.

The bathroom, like no other, is susceptible to infection by fungus, because absolutely all the conditions for its proliferation have been created here: darkness, high humidity and warmth. Moreover, the main reason for the appearance of fungus is dampness, which can occur for three reasons: due to poor ventilation, leaking pipelines and condensation on pipes and plumbing. The most interesting thing is that there may be several reasons, but the main one will always be poor ventilation. After all, with good ventilation, condensation and minor leaks have time to dry out and do not create a microclimate favorable for the development of fungus.

How to avoid high humidity?

When the humidity is more than 85%, spores, falling on a damp surface, begin to germinate and readily absorb substances from building materials and paint. If they are not removed in time, the black spots will soon grow. And if you don’t get rid of excess moisture, the velvety caps will appear again. To bring air humidity to a normal value (70-80%), you must:

1. Fix leaks. Make sure that all plumbing fixtures are in full working order; if necessary, all breakdowns should be repaired. The entire water supply pipeline, especially if it is old, should be checked for cracks where water may leak out. You should also look to see if the seams between the wall and the bathtub or the wall and the washbasin are leaking.
2. Declare war on condensate. Condensation forms on cold surfaces, so the amount of condensation must be reduced. Cast iron cold water supply pipes can be “dressed” with tubular insulation or replaced with plastic ones. If possible, it is better to wall all pipelines (risers and wiring) into the wall. If there is an external wall in the bathroom that is in contact with cold air (for example, if it opens onto a landing), it must be insulated.
3. Make sure there is good ventilation. Often, air movement is blocked by a tightly closed door or poor performance of the ventilation vent. There can be several exits: make a small window in the wall, install a door with a hole at the bottom, install a fan in the exhaust hole. Many people connect the fan via a switch so that it automatically turns on every time someone enters the bath. However, the easiest way is to simply leave the door open for a while after taking a bath or shower. It is also not recommended to dry clothes in the bathroom. If desired, you can install an electric heated towel rail that will dry the air.

Homemade mold removal products

Mold that has settled on the walls and ceiling of the bathroom worsens its appearance and leads to accelerated wear of finishing materials. And this is not to mention the harm spores cause to health! Therefore, having noticed the first dark spots in the tile joints, on the shower tray or in the corners between the wall and the bathtub, housewives begin to sound the alarm and remove mold with a brush. And those who are tired of repeating meaningless actions several times a month and who have realized that removing mold in the bathroom is not an easy task, are wondering how to kill the fungus in order to forget about its existence forever.

If mold stains appeared for the first time and did not have time to “cover” a large area, they can be removed using improvised means:

• Baking soda. Baking soda can deal with almost any stain, from grease stains and rust to mold stains. In addition, it perfectly absorbs unpleasant odors. To combat fungus, soda is diluted with water to form a paste. The resulting mixture is applied to the infected area, and after a few hours it is washed off with warm water using a sponge or soft brush.
• Vinegar and soda. The effects of soda will increase significantly if you mix it with vinegar. All black pillows are sprinkled with soda, then poured with vinegar. The “boiling” reaction kills mold. After the procedure, all that remains is to wash the treated areas with soapy water and wipe dry. You can also apply vinegar to black spots and wash it off with water after an hour. If necessary, repeat the procedure.
• "White". To prepare a solution of the required concentration, pour half a glass of bleach per liter of water. The product is applied to the wall, and after a while it is washed off with water. After drying, it is advisable to repeat the procedure again. The method is not suitable for processing wood and drywall.
• Borax. White borax powder is an excellent antiseptic and helps to quickly combat fungus. To do this, stir a glass of borax in a liter of water. They are treated in the same way as other solutions: applied to the affected areas, and after a while washed off with water. After this, the surface must be dried. A solution of boric acid, water, vinegar and hydrogen peroxide mixed in a ratio of 1:4:2:2 is also effective.
• Ammonia. Removing mold in the bathroom from tiles, glass and other hard surfaces can be done using ammonia mixed half and half with water. Processing is carried out exactly the same as in other cases.
• Hydrogen peroxide. Peroxide is sprayed onto mold stains and washed off with water after 10-15 minutes. Natural bleach is suitable for cleaning any material, the main thing is to test it in advance on an inconspicuous area to make sure that the color of the surface will not be affected.

In addition, various types of fungicides, antiseptics and fungistatic agents can be found on sale. The latter are considered the most effective, as they prevent the development of remaining pores for several months. When purchasing antifungal medications, read the instructions carefully. The product should eliminate the fungus and not be used to prevent its occurrence.

Special products for removing mold on a large scale

If the mycelium has managed to grow to alarming proportions and huge black spots have appeared on the ceiling, then none of the above methods will help, the plaster will have to be knocked down. All mold spots are cleaned and calcined with a hair dryer or blowtorch. Please note that you cannot remove mold in the bathroom with boiling water, this can lead to the opposite effect. After calcination, the affected areas are treated with one of the following antiseptics:

· Creosote. This is a burning oily liquid made from tar. Before use, it is diluted with alcohol or ether. After treating surfaces, the substance must be thoroughly washed off with soapy water.

· Technical alcohol.

· Concentrated solution of copper sulfate. 100 g of the drug is dissolved in 10 liters of water.

· Boric acid. A bottle of hydrogen peroxide, a glass of 9% table vinegar and 1 tbsp are diluted in 3 liters of water. spoon of boric acid.

After the walls and ceiling have been treated with antiseptic preparations, you can begin painting or redecorating the bathroom.

Black growths on walls and plumbing not only cause inconvenience, fungal spores enter the lungs and cause allergic reactions. Therefore, you need to start removing mold in the bathroom after discovering the first lesions. True, getting rid of the uninvited guest is not so easy: even after thoroughly cleaning the walls and ceiling, the caps may appear again after a short period of time. To destroy the fungus once and for all, you need to not only treat the areas affected by mold, but also eliminate all conditions conducive to the proliferation of microorganisms. Moreover, you don’t need to do anything supernatural for this - the main thing is to ensure high-quality ventilation of the bathroom, and during the renovation process use anti-fungal primer and grout.